United Nations Association Film Festival

The 29th United Nations Association Film Festival continues Wednesday, Oct. 21, in San Francisco with an evening of documentaries exploring identity, addiction treatment and institutional accountability.

The evening begins with "Becoming James," directed by Evan Possley. The eight-minute documentary follows a man who, after decades in prison, works to rebuild his identity and finds success in an unexpected way.

Next is "Shuffle," directed by Benjamin Flaherty. Through the filmmaker’s own recovery, the documentary investigates the multibillion-dollar addiction treatment industry, examining financial incentives, conflicts of interest and the system surrounding people seeking treatment.

The evening concludes with "Nuns vs. The Vatican," directed by Lorena Luciano and produced by Filippo Piscopo. The film follows a former Catholic nun who breaks her silence about abuse within the Church, as other nuns come forward to examine a culture of silence and institutional protection.

UNAFF runs Oct. 15–25, 2026, with the theme Passion for Change. The festival features films on human rights issues like the environment, women’s rights, racism, and peace, engaging a diverse Bay Area audience.