• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
San Diego International Film Festival

San Diego International Film Festival

October 15-19, 2025

  • Film Festival
    • Submit
    • Film Festival 2024
      • Film Festival 2023
    • Night of the Stars Tribute
      • Tribute Honorees
    • Festival Experience
    • Hotel Partners
    • Women’s Film Series
    • Festival Sponsors
      • Sponsorship
    • Press & Media
  • Other Events
    • Film Insiders Series
    • Awards Viewing Party
  • Education Program
    • Focus on Impact
    • FOCUS Films
    • Art Competition
  • Get Involved
    • Sponsorship
    • Screener Application
    • Internships
    • Volunteer
      • Apply/Login
      • Volunteer Leadership
    • Become a Patron
    • Donate
  • About
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Contact
  • Festival News

The San Diego Film Foundation Patrons 
are using film to make a difference now

San Diego Film Foundation Patron Circle

Partners In Using Film To Make A Difference Today

The generous support of the Festival Patron Circle fuels the collective Mission to educate, empower, and amplify voices through the following impactful programs.

🎬 Inspire Future Leaders 

Through our FOCUS on Impact Film Library, teachers access powerful short films, curriculum guides, and filmmaker Q&As.

In collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District, the San Diego County Office of Education, and the San Diego Community College District, educators now have on-demand access to impactful films and resources. This program fosters empathy, critical thinking, and global awareness.

đź’ˇ 85% of students report feeling more informed and empathetic after participating.

Thanks to the generous support of our Patrons, this program is offered at no cost to schools

🌍 Explore Global Social Issues 

We showcase independent films that highlight pressing global challenges—homelessness, environmental sustainability, human trafficking and more.

The documentary RiverBlue took on the fashion industry by highlighting the devastating environmental impact the production of denim has on rivers and waterways throughout the world.

  • After the film screened at the Festival, Kimberly Hunt of 10News produced a segment on Tijuana River pollution, amplifying the film’s message locally.
  • FOCUS on Impact Education Program’ brought RiverBlue to reach to students to consider the environmental impact of their fashion choices.

Students reported this new awareness would impact their buying decisions for jeans and other denim products.

🎤 Empower Women Storytellers

With women still directing just 11% of top films, we’re committed to spotlighting women-led stories and creating a more inclusive industry. In partnership with the Women’s History Museum, we champion bold, relevant, and diverse female voices in film.

“Curating films that amplify the stories and voices of women… brings with it the possibility of improving the lives of women everywhere.”
— Sandra Maas, Historical Society Board of Truss, Women’s History Museum

Your Impact

With your support, the goal is to reach 50,000 students annually, use film to foster global dialogue, and elevate underrepresented voices in film.
Join us today. Become a Patron—be the reason stories that matter are seen, heard, and felt.

Benefits for All Patron Circle Levels
• Patron Circle All Access Pass

Tax-Deductible Contribution
• Invitation to the Oscars Viewing Party
• Priority Reservations & Reserved Seating
– San Diego International Film Festival
– Film Insider Series

Exclusive Access to Private Patron Events

Concierge Service
• Film reservations for the Film Insider Series & San Diego International Film Festival
• Personalized concierge service during both events

Night of the Stars Tribute
• Invitation to the exclusive Patron’s Reception before the event, with celebrity honorees

Recognition
• Online, in print, and on screen

Make a Tax-Deductible Gift Today

From our renowned International Film Festival to community screenings and an educational program that impacts hundreds of kids each year we create opportunities in our community to build empathy and connection through film.

Fill out the form below and someone from our team will contact you within the next 24-48 hours.

Chairman’s Circle – $20,000 to $50,000

All benefits of the Director Circle, Producer Circle and A-List Circle plus:

  • Recognized as a Presenting underwriter of Focus On Impact Educational Program Including all film tours and residencies
  • Recognized in the Festival Program as the Presenting Underwriter of Focus On Impact Educational Program
  • Opportunity to present a Film Festival Filmmaker Award
  • Walk the Red Carpet – San Diego Intl Film Festival Variety’s Night of the Stars Tribute

Patrons above $10,000+ receive a personalized recognition package. 

A-List Circle – $10,000 to $19,999

All benefits of the Director Circle and Producer Circle plus:

  • Recognized as an underwriter for the Focus On Impact Educational Program
  • Recognized as an underwriter for a San Diego International Film Festival Feature Film
  • Recognized as an underwriter for the Film Festival Filmmaker Awards
  • Private preview event with Executive and Artistic Director Tonya Mantooth to review the film selections of the San Diego International Film Festival
  • Walk the Red Carpet – San Diego International Film Festival Opening Night
Producer Circle – $5,000 to $9,999

All benefits of the Director Circle plus:

  • 2 Patron Circle All Access Passes
  • Recognized as an underwriter for a San Diego International Film Festival Feature Film
  • Concierge Service for the Film Festival
  • Personalized Director’s Chair
  • 2 VIP Fest Passes
  • 2 Guest Tickets Film Insider Series Screenings (Feb-July)
Director’s Circle – $2,500 to $4,999
  • 1 Patron Circle All Access Pass to San Diego International Film Festival
  • Priority Reservations and Reserved Seating
    • San Diego International Film Festival
    • Film Insider Series
  • Invitation to exclusive Chairman’s Reception prior to the Night of the Stars Tribute and seating at the Tribute in the Chairman’s section
  • Dedicated Customer Service Representative during the Film Festival
  • Recognition online, in print, on screen
  • Private Patron Events
  • Tax Deductible Contribution

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
I am interested in more information about..(Required)
Consent(Required)

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PATRON CIRCLE

CO-FOUNDERS

Tonya Mantooth     Kevin Leap     Patti Judd

CHAIRMAN
Sharon Rose
A-List
Brian Devine
Dick Hunter
Ludvina Nevarez
Sonny Nevarez
Lynne Wheeler
Dr. Stephen Wheeler
PRODUCER
Karen Fox
Dennis Doucette
Margot Doucette
Molly Fredrickson
Dennis Fredrickson
Patti Judd
Stephen Kurzyniec
Elizabeth Kurzyniec
Kristi Lappe
Mark Lappe
Kevin Leap
Lise Markham
Elsa Mickelsen
Stephen Mickelsen
Barbara Milstein
Dr. Howard Milstein
Heather O’Shea
Cecilia Peck
Valerie Quick
JR Rowten
Bob Salt
David Winkler
Sherry Winkler
DIRECTOR
Sophia Alsadek
Laura Applegate
Cindy Blumkin
John Cashman
Ron Clapman
Margaret Dudas
Cynthia Delaney
Bill Delorey
Dan Delorey
Arlene Esgate
Cheryl Gould
Rick Hall
Ann L Hill
Laryssa Hauswald
Sara Isgur
Robert Kenyon
Paul Kim
David Marchesani
Vivien Nichols
Mikki Nooney
Angelica Palmerin
Heather Salter
Jessica Shaanan
Jennifer Thomas
Marilyn Tracy

Festival News
Press Room
Non-Profit Donation Request
Contact

DOWNLOADS:
Festival Logos & Style Guide
Filmmaker Laurels (2024)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Vimeo

The San Diego International Film Festival

The San Diego International Film Festival is a 501c.3 non-profit arts and education organization that provides a year-round global narrative through film screenings, as well as a world-renowned annual Film Festival each October. 

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Consent(Required)
By providing your email and checking the box, you agree to receive promotional emails.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Posts

Copyright © 2025 · San Diego International Film Festival · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy