FESTIVAL 2025
The 28th San Francisco Silent Film Festival takes place November 12–16, 2025 at the Orinda Theatre in the East Bay town of Orinda. The 1941 Art Deco-style Orinda Theatre is a beautiful movie house with a large screen and 750 seats, nestled in a lovely village with shops and restaurants. Accessible to public transportation, it’s a four-minute walk from the Orinda BART station (the first stop after you leave Oakland eastbound—a 30-minute ride from SF’s Civic Center and a mere eight minutes from MacArthur BART in Oakland). Plus there’s parking!
PLACES TO STAY
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa
The Lafayette Park is offering festival-goers special preferred rates.
The hotel is 5 miles from the Orinda Theatre.
Hilton Garden Inn Walnut Creek
7 miles from the Orinda Theatre.
GETTING HERE
By Air
San Francisco San Francisco International (SFO)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Both SFO and OAK have easy access to San Francisco and the East Bay (including Orinda) via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), cab, shuttle, or car
A WORD ABOUT THE WEATHER
The Bay Area’s climate is mild—the temperature rarely goes above 80° or below 40°. Be advised, though, that the area’s weather is extremely variable—from season to season, hour to hour, and neighborhood to neighborhood. Winter days can be warm, summer days can be frigid and vise versa. Be prepared. Wear sheddable layers—sweaters and warm scarves are just the ticket.
FESTIVAL RULES
Recording
SFSFF doesn’t allow filming or recording of any kind during performances
Phone Use
Phone use is not permitted during performances. Not only is phone use distracting for other audience members, it is disruptive and disrespectful to our performers. If you use your phone during a program you will be asked to leave without a refund.