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GI Film Festival San Diego

Venues

    The Balboa Theatre

    Balboa Theatre

    Built in 1924, the historic Balboa Theatre was an elegant vaudeville and movie palace in the heart of downtown San Diego. At the time, it was a state-of-the-art building that included six storefronts along Fourth Avenue, with 34 offices on the floors above. After a 1934 remodeling, the theatre was reopened as El Teatro Balboa, featuring contemporary films from Mexico City and presenting Latin stars to San Diego’s increasingly diverse audience. During World War II, the theatre’s office space was reconfigured by the U.S. Navy into bachelor quarters for sailors waiting to ship out.  After the war, the remodeled spaces became single-occupancy housing. After a significant renovation by the City of San Diego, the historic Balboa Theatre reopened in January 2008 with much acclaim from audiences and performers. Additionally, it has received numerous special awards and recognition on a local, state, and national professional organizations.

    The Balboa Theatre is located in downtown San Diego.  There are nearby paid parking structures and metered parking opportunities.

    WESTFIELD HORTON PLAZA GARAGE – 4th Ave Entrance
    Enter Garage from 4th Ave just South of Balboa Theatre. Horton Plaza Parking Tickets (issued from machines at entry) may be validated in the Balboa Theatre Lobby.  Validated tickets provides a flat rate of $10 for 6 hours of parking.

    NBC Building Garage 
    Enter Broadway Circle from the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Broadway and follow around to the garage entrance down-ramp on the left.
    Current parking rates for the NBC Building Garage is $10 per vehicle.

    Downtown Parking Meters
    Street Parking Meters in the downtown area operate 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. Please make sure to check posted meter times if utilizing on-street parking 


    DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley at Hazard Center

    This modern hotel next to Hazard Center mall and a San Diego Trolley stop is 2 minutes’ drive from Interstate 8, and 10 minutes’ drive from SeaWorld. The adjacent trolley stop offers a ride to the city’s top attractions including QualComm Stadium, San Diego Zoo, Old Town, Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter. A pedestrian bridge links the hotel to Hazard Center’s eclectic mix of shops and restaurants and we are in walking distance to San Diego’s famed Fashion Valley Mall.


    KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center

    KPBS – Shiley Studio A

    Shiley Studio A is located within the KPBS Copley Telecommunications Center, on the campus of SDSU.


    Exterior of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) at Balboa Park. Photo courtesy of MOPA.

    Museum of Photographic Arts

    Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) is located in beautiful Balboa Park in the Casa de Balboa building, along with the Model Railroad Museum and the San Diego History Center. Casa de Balboa is the building next to the Prado Restaurant.


    UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center, Mission Valley, interior photo.

    UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center

    UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center is dedicated to transforming movie theaters into digital entertainment centers.
    The theater provides uniquely satisfying experiences, combining the full power of digital technology with engaging, dynamic content that far transcends traditional movies. Not just a “trip to the movies”…the theater allows active engagement in live and lively events.


    Exterior of Coronado's Village Theatres where the second night of GIFFSD screenings will take place. Photo courtesy of Village Theatres.

    The Village Theatres Coronado

    Celebrating 64 years on the beautiful island of Coronado, the newly restored Village Theatres presents the finest first run feature films in 3 sumptuous auditoriums. Enjoy timeless moviegoing in state of the art Sony 4K Digital Cinema, Real D 3D presentations on selected features, and Dolby Digital Sound.