REEL LOCAL NEWS

Filmmakers are framing their responses to what is happening in the United States amid possible threats to civil rights, free speech and democracy with “Filmmakers Unite (FU),” a collection of short films that will screen at the Roxie Oct. 5-11.

The project is the brainchild of local filmmakers Jay Rosenblatt and Ellen Bruno. They invited more than 200 filmmakers to submit their work, with 13 films selected for the program of narrative, experimental and documentary films.

Among those selected are Rosenblatt’s “Scared Very Scared,” in which the roots of anxiety about President Trump are explored through an imaginary therapy session, and Alan Berliner’s “State of the Union,” contemplating a divided United States.

Filmmakers will be in attendance on Oct. 6. www.roxie.com

1960s cinema at BAMPFA

“Mark Morris Presents: In the Age of Pepperland,” a film series curated by the choreographer, represents the decade that produced the Beatles.

The series is in conjunction with the Mark Morris Dance Group’s “Pepperland: Sgt. Pepper at 50,” at Cal Performances from Friday to Sunday, Sept. 28 to 30.

Morris will introduce Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Blow-Up” (1966) on Friday, and Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (1967) on Sunday. Richard Lester’s “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona” (1966) on Oct. 24 are among the remaining films in the series. https://bampfa.og

It’s all Greek (and Cypriot)

The San Francisco Greek Film Festival returns for its 15th year, Oct. 12-28, at venues throughout the city with 24 films from around the world.

The festival opens with “The Last Note,” a fact-based World War II drama about the 1944 mass execution of 200 Greek prisoners by the Nazis in retaliation for a partisan ambush. Director and co-writer Pantelis Voulgaris is expected to attend.

Among other films in the festival are “Dolphin Man,” Lefteris Charitos’ documentary about recordsetting free diver Jacques Mayol, and “1968,” a drama that observes Greek society during that year through the lens of a European Cup basketball game. Filmmaker Manousos Manousakis, 2018 artist-in-residence, will facilitate Q&As, give lectures and screen his film “Cloudy Sunday.” The World War II-era drama focuses on lovers, a Christian man and a Jewish woman, in occupied Thessaloniki. http://grfilm.com

Going to Iceland

San Francisco writer and director Jonathan Kiefer — screenwriter of Oliver Krimpas’ “Around the Sun,” a drama currently in postproduction — is one of 40 filmmakers selected to participate in the Oct. 2-6 Reykjavik Talent Lab during the Reykjavik International Film Festival.

Kiefer will get the chance to consult with film producers and other professionals as he plans his first feature film. The lab will afford Kiefer the opportunity to present new projects and plan the next steps of his career.

Film clips

 Director Gemma Cubero del Barrio, editor Kyung Lee and documentary subject Otto will take part in a Q&A at a Saturday, Sept. 29, screening of “Ottomaticake” at the Roxie. The film focuses on a punk rock cheesecake baker in Hawaii. www.roxie.com

 Director Wash Westmoreland appears at the Embarcadero Cinema, with selected screenings Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30, of his Keira Knightley-starring drama, “Colette.” www. landmarktheatres.com

 Original “Mystery Science Theater 3000” host Joel Robinson ( Joel Hodgson) joins new host Jonah Heston ( Jonah Ray) for the “MST3K 30th Anniversary Show” of Bmovies, comic riffing and sketches. “The Brain” screens Nov. 7 at the Warfield in S.F., while “Deathstalker II” screens Nov. 8 at City National Civic in San Jose. www.mst3k.com

Jay Rosenblatt The Statue of Liberty is seen in Jay Rosenblatt’s “Scared Very Scared,” one of the short films screening at “Filmmakers Unite (FU).”