This year's San Francisco International Film Festival came as a total surprise both literally and figuratively. Startled by how fast the year had gone by bringing many eventful ventures and artistic experiences throughout its tenure, I have completely forgotten to buy tickets! Unable to attend more than two films, I was hard pressed to choose the ones that in my mind would define the 2012 festival for me. Without matching the films in any cohesive way, I was pleased to discover that "my" theme for the year was that of social awareness and justice.

"Guilty" (Présumé coupable), a heartbreaking drama by Vincent Garenq retells the story of Alain Marécaux (Philippe Torreton) and his wife, who are unjustly arrested on accusations of pedophilia, marking the biggest judicial system mistake in the recent history of France. The film follows Alain Marécaux, shifting between interrogation rooms, prison cells and post-suicide hospital beds, as he is trying to clear his name of false accusations and regain his freedom after 5 years of judicial mistreatment. The scandal, known as the Outreau case, involved 18 people who were imprisoned on the charges of child sexual abuse based on incoherent evidence of a woman who later confessed to false testimony. The film, based on the biography written by the victim of Outreau case, was an eye-opening experience showcasing the volatile nature of justice and agonizing fragility of the human life and morality.

"The Invisible War" directed by Kirby Dick and produced, among others, by the much admired Jennifer Siebel Newsom ("Miss Representation") is an investigative documentary focusing on the multiple incidents of rape within the US military. The film is a powerful combination of victims' personal stories, statistical data and ground-breaking interviews with members of Congress and high-ranking military officials that speak in unison about the systematic corruption and cover-ups in dealing with military sexual trauma. The documentary is a must see to make the first steps towards social and structural change and to show the military veterans that no matter what horrors they have suffered they must stand proud for their courage and strength...they are not invisible!

To learn more about "The Invisible War" and sign the petition for the military sexual assault survivors, please, visit:

http://invisiblewarmovie.com/