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Rob Nilsson’s new film release “On The Edge Again” packed the house
Photo of Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley last Thursday evening, including photo of legendary independent maverick filmmaker Rob Nilsson, in glasses, holding a microphone.
(Note: Correct version of story. (LC).
Rob Nilsson’s new film release “On The Edge Again” packed the house
Maverick independent filmmaker Rob Nilsson’s new release packed Sequoia theater
By Lynda Carson - January 27, 2026
Oakland, CA - According to an email I received from Zhan Petrov / Rob Nilsson on January 26, 2026, Rob Nilsson’s new film release called “On The Edge Again,” with Bruce Dern and Pam Grier was well received. A crowd of people packed the Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley last Thursday evening to see my friend Rob Nilsson’s new film release.
In support of actor, director, and filmmaker Rob Nilsson, a legend in the film world.
Well known local maverick independent filmmaker Rob Nilsson received the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1979 for his first feature Northern Lights (co-directed with John Hanson) and also won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1988 Sundance Film Festival for Heat and Sunlight.
Additionally, according to the message I received, in part it said, “The standing-room-only success at the Sequoia Cinema wasn't just a win for the film -- it was a win for the community. For weeks leading up to the show, Rob Nilsson and Zhan Petrov were on the streets of Mill Valley, hand-delivering flyers and posters, ensuring that the theater wasn't just a space, but a home for the evening.
That's right. Rob and Zhan managed to pack the Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley with film lovers last Thursday evening wanting to see Rob's latest film release called, "On The Edge Again," with Bruce Dern and Pam Grier. The new film release is a directors cut of the original film called, "On The Edge."
The original 1986 film called ”On The Edge” with Bruce Dern, directed by local independent Berkeley filmmaker Rob Nilsson, may be watched here on, YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTitFx5dAXI .
Rob's 9@Night Films are also scheduled to be playing at the Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, starting January 29, 2026.
9@Night Films at the Tenderloin Museum
https://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/upcoming-public-programs
According to an archived website of Nilsson’s from back around 2002, in part it says;
Director Rob Nilsson and 9@Night Films
“Rob Nilsson, a San Francisco based director, won the Camera d'Or at Cannes for NORTHERN LIGHTS and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for HEAT AND SUNLIGHT. He is the first American film director to have won both awards.
Nilsson is a pioneer in the techniques of video to film transfer which led to today's digital revolution. In 1985 SIGNAL 7 was the first small format video feature to be blown up to film and distributed around the world.
Nilsson is currently at work on the 9@Night film series--a unique cycle of street level dramatic feature films about the lives of 50 inner city characters. These 9@Night films are cast from the Tenderloin yGroup (formerly the Tenderloin Action Group), an acting workshop for homeless, inner city residents and professional actors now in its eleventh year.
The 9@Night Project brings together four critical ingredients:
• An aesthetic based on Direct Action Cinema, a method of creating drama from character and circumstance seeking emotional depth and street level authenticity.
• The Tenderloin yGroup, an ensemble of committed actors forged from eleven years of work in the streets of San Francisco's Tenderloin.
• Digital technology for the production, marketing, distribution, and exhibition of high quality feature films at a fraction of industry costs.
• A more efficiently produced and personally meaningful cinema that speaks from the human heart.
Three of the 9@Night features have been completed, two are in post production and another is in pre-production. We are currently seeking production and finishing funds from forward-looking investors throughout the world.”
Since back around 2002, fast forward to the future in 2026, by now there have been 9 films completed for the 9@Night Film series by independent maverick filmmaker Rob Nilsson.
All 9 films from the 9@Night Film series will be played at the Tenderloin Museum, in San Francisco, starting on January 29, 2026.
The film called, NOISE - Film 1 of Rob Nilsson's "9 @ Night" will play Thursday January 29, 2026 | 6:30-8:30pm, at 398 Eddy St. SF, CA 94102.
My friend Rob Nilsson hopes that many of you in the community will show up at the Tenderloin Museum to see all 9 of his 9@Night Films.
Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com
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Rob Nilsson’s new film release “On The Edge Again” packed the house
Maverick independent filmmaker Rob Nilsson’s new release packed Sequoia theater
By Lynda Carson - January 27, 2026
Oakland, CA - According to an email I received from Zhan Petrov / Rob Nilsson on January 26, 2026, Rob Nilsson’s new film release called “On The Edge Again,” with Bruce Dern and Pam Grier was well received. A crowd of people packed the Sequoia Theater in Mill Valley last Thursday evening to see my friend Rob Nilsson’s new film release.
In support of actor, director, and filmmaker Rob Nilsson, a legend in the film world.
Well known local maverick independent filmmaker Rob Nilsson received the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1979 for his first feature Northern Lights (co-directed with John Hanson) and also won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1988 Sundance Film Festival for Heat and Sunlight.
Additionally, according to the message I received, in part it said, “The standing-room-only success at the Sequoia Cinema wasn't just a win for the film -- it was a win for the community. For weeks leading up to the show, Rob Nilsson and Zhan Petrov were on the streets of Mill Valley, hand-delivering flyers and posters, ensuring that the theater wasn't just a space, but a home for the evening.
That's right. Rob and Zhan managed to pack the Sequoia Cinema in Mill Valley with film lovers last Thursday evening wanting to see Rob's latest film release called, "On The Edge Again," with Bruce Dern and Pam Grier. The new film release is a directors cut of the original film called, "On The Edge."
The original 1986 film called ”On The Edge” with Bruce Dern, directed by local independent Berkeley filmmaker Rob Nilsson, may be watched here on, YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTitFx5dAXI .
Rob's 9@Night Films are also scheduled to be playing at the Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, starting January 29, 2026.
9@Night Films at the Tenderloin Museum
https://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/upcoming-public-programs
According to an archived website of Nilsson’s from back around 2002, in part it says;
Director Rob Nilsson and 9@Night Films
“Rob Nilsson, a San Francisco based director, won the Camera d'Or at Cannes for NORTHERN LIGHTS and the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for HEAT AND SUNLIGHT. He is the first American film director to have won both awards.
Nilsson is a pioneer in the techniques of video to film transfer which led to today's digital revolution. In 1985 SIGNAL 7 was the first small format video feature to be blown up to film and distributed around the world.
Nilsson is currently at work on the 9@Night film series--a unique cycle of street level dramatic feature films about the lives of 50 inner city characters. These 9@Night films are cast from the Tenderloin yGroup (formerly the Tenderloin Action Group), an acting workshop for homeless, inner city residents and professional actors now in its eleventh year.
The 9@Night Project brings together four critical ingredients:
• An aesthetic based on Direct Action Cinema, a method of creating drama from character and circumstance seeking emotional depth and street level authenticity.
• The Tenderloin yGroup, an ensemble of committed actors forged from eleven years of work in the streets of San Francisco's Tenderloin.
• Digital technology for the production, marketing, distribution, and exhibition of high quality feature films at a fraction of industry costs.
• A more efficiently produced and personally meaningful cinema that speaks from the human heart.
Three of the 9@Night features have been completed, two are in post production and another is in pre-production. We are currently seeking production and finishing funds from forward-looking investors throughout the world.”
Since back around 2002, fast forward to the future in 2026, by now there have been 9 films completed for the 9@Night Film series by independent maverick filmmaker Rob Nilsson.
All 9 films from the 9@Night Film series will be played at the Tenderloin Museum, in San Francisco, starting on January 29, 2026.
The film called, NOISE - Film 1 of Rob Nilsson's "9 @ Night" will play Thursday January 29, 2026 | 6:30-8:30pm, at 398 Eddy St. SF, CA 94102.
My friend Rob Nilsson hopes that many of you in the community will show up at the Tenderloin Museum to see all 9 of his 9@Night Films.
Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com
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Note: Filmmaker Rob Nilsson, actor Sean Penn, myself Lynda Carson with red hair, and glasses, and others at the Broken Drum in San Rafael, after we watched the film Scheme C6, in 2001.
Actor Sean Penn at Rob's 9@Night Film, Scheme C6 in 2001.
By Lynda Carson
In 2001, Rob Nisson’s 9@Night Film called Scheme C6 opened up for its World Premier at the Rafael Film Center, in San Rafael.
This was the evening that actor Sean Penn and his friend Lars Ulrich (drummer of Metalica spent an evening with Rob Nilsson, including myself, and members of the Tenderloin Action group / Tenderloin yGroup
Leading up to the evening that Sean Penn and Lars Ulrich (drummer of Metallica), joined Rob and the Tenderloin Action Group / Tenderloin yGroup for an evening, “A day before SCHEME C6 played at the Rafael Film Center, Rob and Cory Duval were making the rounds to make sure that their brochures were laid out, and that all was set for the October 12, screening of SCHEME C6, at the theatre.
During this moment, a Tribute at the theatre to Malcom McDowell (clockwork orange/Stanley Kubrick fame) was letting out, and Rob ran into his friend and actor Peter Coyote. Apparently, Peter Coyote told Rob and Cory that he wanted to introduce a friend of his, and that turned out to be Sean Penn, who happens to be a fan of Cassevettes Films.
After they had a chat for a bit, Sean Penn stated that he would return a day later to check out the film SCHEME C6, which happens to be a Cassevettes-like film. He kept his word, and the following night he brought along his friend Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica, to watch the film SCHEME C6 unfold onto the silver screen before them.
After the film played, we all went nearby to the broken Drum, for some food and some drinks.
For Rob, Cory, Monica, Mc Mars, Gabriela, Kevin, and all the others that worked on this production, it was a high night emotionally to find that they had the recognition and respect of Penn and Ulrich joining them afterwards for some food, drink, and a chance to get to know one another.
Many members of the group sitting at the table's within the Broken Drum were excited by the film which culminated in the nights gathering, and Cory Duval found himself sitting with Lars Ulrich who was telling him how much he liked the film, and who was asking Cory, how long has he been an actor, including other questions. As a kid, Cory loved the band Metallica, and had the songs memorized in his mind, he says. Cory Duval was homeless at the time he was portrayed in the film Scheme C6, and was sleeping in his truck at nights.”
It was a very exciting evening... One never knows who will show up to watch Rob Nilsson's films at the cinema or theaters.
Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
Actor Sean Penn at Rob's 9@Night Film, Scheme C6 in 2001.
By Lynda Carson
In 2001, Rob Nisson’s 9@Night Film called Scheme C6 opened up for its World Premier at the Rafael Film Center, in San Rafael.
This was the evening that actor Sean Penn and his friend Lars Ulrich (drummer of Metalica spent an evening with Rob Nilsson, including myself, and members of the Tenderloin Action group / Tenderloin yGroup
Leading up to the evening that Sean Penn and Lars Ulrich (drummer of Metallica), joined Rob and the Tenderloin Action Group / Tenderloin yGroup for an evening, “A day before SCHEME C6 played at the Rafael Film Center, Rob and Cory Duval were making the rounds to make sure that their brochures were laid out, and that all was set for the October 12, screening of SCHEME C6, at the theatre.
During this moment, a Tribute at the theatre to Malcom McDowell (clockwork orange/Stanley Kubrick fame) was letting out, and Rob ran into his friend and actor Peter Coyote. Apparently, Peter Coyote told Rob and Cory that he wanted to introduce a friend of his, and that turned out to be Sean Penn, who happens to be a fan of Cassevettes Films.
After they had a chat for a bit, Sean Penn stated that he would return a day later to check out the film SCHEME C6, which happens to be a Cassevettes-like film. He kept his word, and the following night he brought along his friend Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica, to watch the film SCHEME C6 unfold onto the silver screen before them.
After the film played, we all went nearby to the broken Drum, for some food and some drinks.
For Rob, Cory, Monica, Mc Mars, Gabriela, Kevin, and all the others that worked on this production, it was a high night emotionally to find that they had the recognition and respect of Penn and Ulrich joining them afterwards for some food, drink, and a chance to get to know one another.
Many members of the group sitting at the table's within the Broken Drum were excited by the film which culminated in the nights gathering, and Cory Duval found himself sitting with Lars Ulrich who was telling him how much he liked the film, and who was asking Cory, how long has he been an actor, including other questions. As a kid, Cory loved the band Metallica, and had the songs memorized in his mind, he says. Cory Duval was homeless at the time he was portrayed in the film Scheme C6, and was sleeping in his truck at nights.”
It was a very exciting evening... One never knows who will show up to watch Rob Nilsson's films at the cinema or theaters.
Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
Update: An email from filmmaker Rob Nilsson on Jan. 27, 2026
Below is an email from actor, director, and filmmaker Rob Nilsson that I received earlier today.
I hope that this helps to shed some light on what Rob Nilsson is experiencing in regards to some of the few remaining art houses around the bay that are still tough to get access to.
Rob is hoping that the excellent East Bay art houses such as the Elmwood in Berkeley, the New Parkway in Oakland and the Orinda in Contra Costa County will give us dates in order to complete our Points Around the Bay Retrospective.
I hope this helps people to see how important it is to support independent filmmakers such as Rob Nilsson, and all the people involved in the artistic endeavors and films that are not normally supported by the big budgets of Hollywood, and America's addiction to Hollywood.
See Rob's email below...
Sincerely,
-Lynda Carson
Oakland, CA
newzland2 [at] gmail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
(An email, received earlier today from Berkeley filmmaker, Rob Nilsson.)
Hi Lynda,
Once again thanks for your great help in getting this Points Around the Bay Nilsson Retrospective going. We had a great success, a packed house and enthusiastic audience response with ON THE EDGE AGAIN at the Sequoia in Mill Valley. But some of the few remaining art houses around the bay are still tough to get access to.
Alex Spotto at the Tenderloin Museum,, 398 Eddy St., SF, is going to play all of our 9 @ Night Films created in the Tenderloin with the Tenderloin yGroup (1998-2007) a free workshop for homeless, inner city residents, local actors and all comers which met at the Faithful Fools Street Ministry on Hyde near Eddy. And the Roxie, San Francisco's greatest and oldest art house will be giving us dates for SIGNAL 7, 1983, the first Direct Action film, presented by Francis Coppola and ON THE EDGE AGAIN with Bruce Dern, Pam Grier and John Marley.
I've lived in Berkeley for 30 some years and run my Citizen Cinema workshops with which we made 10 or so feature films all of which premiered at the prestigious Mill Valley Film Festival and played in festivals around the world. I sympathize with the problem the remaining Berkeley and Oakland cinemas have. America is still addicted to Hollywood.
True the film biz has recently helped artistic talents such as Sean Baker and Chloe Zhao make films with million dollar budgets, but the Tenderloin Action Group, the Tenderloin yGroup and Citizen Cinema didn't throw big money at films which, to me, are better because they work only with imagination and dedication to show the world, "the way things seem to be." We worked together in workshops, which you have attended, that helped actors and everyday people experience their artistic talents while learning to become fully functioning and emotionally alive. And to this day we form communities rather than dazzle the public with so- called Stars.
So I'm hoping that the excellent East Bay art houses such as the Elmwood in Berkeley, the New Parkway in Oakland and the Orinda in Contra Costa County will give us dates in order to complete our Points Around the Bay Retrospective.
Thanks again for all your support over the years.
Onward!
Rob
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
Below is an email from actor, director, and filmmaker Rob Nilsson that I received earlier today.
I hope that this helps to shed some light on what Rob Nilsson is experiencing in regards to some of the few remaining art houses around the bay that are still tough to get access to.
Rob is hoping that the excellent East Bay art houses such as the Elmwood in Berkeley, the New Parkway in Oakland and the Orinda in Contra Costa County will give us dates in order to complete our Points Around the Bay Retrospective.
I hope this helps people to see how important it is to support independent filmmakers such as Rob Nilsson, and all the people involved in the artistic endeavors and films that are not normally supported by the big budgets of Hollywood, and America's addiction to Hollywood.
See Rob's email below...
Sincerely,
-Lynda Carson
Oakland, CA
newzland2 [at] gmail.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
(An email, received earlier today from Berkeley filmmaker, Rob Nilsson.)
Hi Lynda,
Once again thanks for your great help in getting this Points Around the Bay Nilsson Retrospective going. We had a great success, a packed house and enthusiastic audience response with ON THE EDGE AGAIN at the Sequoia in Mill Valley. But some of the few remaining art houses around the bay are still tough to get access to.
Alex Spotto at the Tenderloin Museum,, 398 Eddy St., SF, is going to play all of our 9 @ Night Films created in the Tenderloin with the Tenderloin yGroup (1998-2007) a free workshop for homeless, inner city residents, local actors and all comers which met at the Faithful Fools Street Ministry on Hyde near Eddy. And the Roxie, San Francisco's greatest and oldest art house will be giving us dates for SIGNAL 7, 1983, the first Direct Action film, presented by Francis Coppola and ON THE EDGE AGAIN with Bruce Dern, Pam Grier and John Marley.
I've lived in Berkeley for 30 some years and run my Citizen Cinema workshops with which we made 10 or so feature films all of which premiered at the prestigious Mill Valley Film Festival and played in festivals around the world. I sympathize with the problem the remaining Berkeley and Oakland cinemas have. America is still addicted to Hollywood.
True the film biz has recently helped artistic talents such as Sean Baker and Chloe Zhao make films with million dollar budgets, but the Tenderloin Action Group, the Tenderloin yGroup and Citizen Cinema didn't throw big money at films which, to me, are better because they work only with imagination and dedication to show the world, "the way things seem to be." We worked together in workshops, which you have attended, that helped actors and everyday people experience their artistic talents while learning to become fully functioning and emotionally alive. And to this day we form communities rather than dazzle the public with so- called Stars.
So I'm hoping that the excellent East Bay art houses such as the Elmwood in Berkeley, the New Parkway in Oakland and the Orinda in Contra Costa County will give us dates in order to complete our Points Around the Bay Retrospective.
Thanks again for all your support over the years.
Onward!
Rob
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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