San Francisco has always been known for its radical politics and so it seems fitting that the 46th Annual San Francisco International Film Festival (SFIFF) guest programmer is from France. Freedom Fries? Freedom kisses? Freedom New Wave? That will just not do. This year, Michel Ciment, Editor of the esteemed French film magazine Positif, has selected ten films he feels will add ?a unique edge to the festival.

The directors are among the brightest and best of French cinema and come from a great diversity of backgrounds.?

The SFIFF opens April 17th with Alan Rudolph?s "The Secret Lives of Dentists," starring Hope Davis, Campbell Scott and Robin Tunney. It?s the story of the ordinary lives of husband-and-wife dentists who are ripped out of their complacency by boredom, infidelity and Denis Leary. The director, the stars and Denis Leary are all confirmed to attend the screening and the party at the newly restored beaux-arts style Ferry Building. This year?s closing night feature on May 1st is San Francisco based first time director, Marc Decena?s romantic comedy, "Dopamine," a film that cleverly asks: Is it the moonlight, or just my neurotransmitters?

Special awards will be given to a number of individuals who have impacted the public?s film viewing. Robert Altman receives this year?s ?Film Society Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing.? Dustin Hoffman will be on hand to receive the Peter J.

Owens Award, honoring an actor who exemplifies brilliance, independence and integrity.  Experimental filmmaker, Pat O?Neil, will receive the ?Golden Gate Persistence of Vision Award? honoring the lifetime achievement of a filmmaker who works in forms other than narrative features. Film critic, Manny Farber will receive the Mel Novikoff award, which is given to an individual or an institution whose work has enhanced the film going public?s knowledge and appreciation of World Cinema. The Golden Gate Awards on April 30th will highlight the best of competing film in documentary, animation, narrative, shorts, experimental, TV and works by youth; and for the first time will include the $10,000 SKYY Prize for a first time narrative.

Other highlights include a tribute and onstage interview with editor, Nelson Rodriguez, whose work spans the entire history of modern Cuban Cinema. The midnight series, ?Extreme Cinema? is back for the second year. A program for cinephiles who enjoy films ?dark and visceral as in "Cabin Fever," by David Lynch protégé, Eli Roth.

The classic 1920?s silent films D.W. Griffith?s "Orphans of the Storm" and F. W. Murnau?s "Sunrise," rarely seen on the big screen will be presented with live music at the Castro Theater. The Nashville-based band, Lambchop, will play their score for the screening of "Sunrise" Denis James will perform Louis Gottschalk?s original score on the Castro Wurlitzer for the screening of "Orphans of the Storm."

This year?s educational seminars will explore current trends in digital filmmaking. Industry experts from InDigEnt, United Talent Agency, Tippett Studios and others provide insights on digital filmmaking and desktop post-production technology.

Festival organizers boast 202 films from 47 countries, including 23 World, International, North American or U.S. Premieres during its 15 day run at the AMC Kabuki Theaters, the Castro Theater, the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley and the CineArts in Palo Alto. For up-to-date Festival information, log on to www.sffs.org.