Shapeshifters
Cinema

About Us

Shapeshifters Cinema is an experimental microcinema located in Oakland, CA. Our mission is to provide a venue and support for contemporary artists working with experimental and artist-made film, video, sound, music and other types of mediated performance. In addition to regular, live events, we offer workshops on experimental moving image and sound production and a storefront shop specializing in print publications, sound recordings and other artist-made media. 

Staff

Gilbert Guerrero - Co-director
Kathleen Quillian - Co-director
Ellie Vanderlip - Workshop Coordinator/Administration Assistant

Membership

The Shapeshifters Cinema Membership Program is a critical way for us to continue as a sustainable, creative, arts-focused venue in Oakland. For questions about membership, or to sign up, please contact us directly.

Cinema

Current and Upcoming Programs & Events

CROSSROADS 2021: SF Cinematheque's 12th Annual Festival of Artist-made Film & Video
September 17-October 21, 2021
Read the full line-up of artists and details about the festival

Shapeshifters Cinema is proud to be a community partner for the opening program of CROSSROADS 2021, the 12th annual film festival presented by San Francisco Cinematheque.

Program 1: tendrils on a plane (co-sponsored by Shapeshifters Cinema) will livestream via the SF Cinematheque website on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 7PM, with live introductions by participating filmmakers before the program. The program will subsequently be available along with the other seven on-line programs in the festival (without the introductions) for “view-as-desired” viewing through October 21.

Program 1: tendrils on a plane includes: Primavera (2020) by Adrian Garcia Gomez, Pilgrimage (2020) by Anthony Buchanan, Blue Distance (2021) by Devin Jie Allen, Parenthesis (2021) by Vasilios Papaioannu, Rehearsal (2020) by Talena Sanders, June July (2021) by Kevin Jerome Everson (livestream only), life, like water, flows to greater bodies (2020) by Takahiro Suzuki, Tres bocetos de casa (2020) by Azucena Losana, a moment west (2020) by Noah Rosenberg. Find out more

Workshops

Upcoming Workshops

OFF LABEL! Soaked-Film Photography Workshop
Instructor: Greta Snider
Sunday, October 3 (1-4pm) and Sunday, October 17 (10am-4pm)
Day 1 we will meet virtually on Zoom / Day 2 will be in-person at Shapeshifters Cinema
Masks and proof of vaccination are required for in-person attendance
$60 (includes all materials) / $45 (if you can provide your own camera)

In this two-part, hybrid (on-line and in-person) workshop, participants will learn all about the practice of soaked film or "film soup" — an alternative film developing process providing wildly unpredictable images using various found substances and consumer C-41 chemistry. Participants will shoot their own still images, either on disposable cameras (provided), or with their own cameras (film will be provided); soak their film, take notes, and then reconvene for a day of in-person sharing, developing, and digital scanning. We will close with a demonstration of how this process can be adapted for motion picture experimentation. Space is limited. Register now!