World premiere of Netflix’s ‘Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City’ to open 2019 San Francisco International Film Festival

A episodic opener will be the first for SFIFF and features an all-star cast including Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, and Ellen Page

SFFILM today announced that the 2019 San Francisco International Film Festival will kick off with the World Premiere of Netflix’s new original series Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, Wednesday, April 10, 7:00 pm at the Castro Theatre. The evening will include a screening of the full first episode and a special preview of the upcoming series, followed by the Opening Night Party at the Regency Center. Showrunner, writer, and executive producer Lauren Morelli; director and executive producer Alan Poul; author and executive producer Armistead Maupin; and star and executive producer Laura Linney are expected to attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A. Additional special guests will be announced in the weeks to come.

“Like nothing before it, Armistead Maupin’s series of Tales of the City books defined the values and unique worldview of San Francisco and the Bay Area,” said SFFILM Executive Director Noah Cowan. “We are thrilled that this new take on his original vision, the remarkable result of a collaboration between Lauren Morelli and Alan Poul, that incredible cast, and our friends at Netflix, can be introduced to the world for the first time in the place that originally gave it life. It’s going to be one hell of a ‘coming home’ party!”

Inspired by the books of Armistead Maupin, Netflix Original Series Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City begins a new chapter in the beloved story. Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter Shawna (Ellen Page) and ex-husband Brian (Paul Gross), 20 years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) and her chosen family, the residents of 28 Barbary Lane. Premiering this summer, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City is a Working Title Television and NBCUniversal International studios production for Netflix. Lauren Morelli serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside executive producer/director Alan Poul, and executive producers Armistead Maupin and Laura Linney. Working Title’s Andrew Stearn, Liza Chasin, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner executive produce.

The screening will be followed by the Opening Night Party at the Regency Center (1290 Sutter Street), kicking off the 2019 SFFILM Festival program with a bash featuring live entertainment, dancing, and treats from some of San Francisco’s finest food and beverage purveyors. Tickets and information is available here.

This year’s San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 10 – 23.