The Bay Area is justifiably famous for the documentary community, and this fall's slate of festivals and individual movies showcase that talent — with the SF DocFest, of course, devoted entirely to them. Here's a brief sampling of a crowded fall field.

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Friday 9/17: Radical Light: Alternative Film and Video in the San Francisco Bay Area (Film)

The Pacific Film Archive is presenting a film and video series that traces the history of alternative film and video in the Bay Area. Pegged to the publication of PFA’s first book, Radical Light: Alternative Film and Video in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1945-2000, the series explores the defining movements in the Bay Area, from avant-garde surrealist films of the 1940s to the pyschedelic electronic films of the 60s and 70s. Co-sponsored by San Francisco Cinematheque, this several month series will feature archival prints and long-forgotten works, as well as an accompanying gallery exhibition with photographs, posters and flyers. Go here for complete schedule.

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2625 Durant Avenue #2250, Berkeley

Saturday 9/18: Third Annual Iranian Film Festival (Film)

The third annual Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco will showcase independent feature and short films by or about Iranians from all over the world. This year’s festival is a tribute to one of the most legendary actresses in Iranian cinema, Fakhri Khorvash, who will be presenting and discussing her film “Prince Ehtejab.” A dozen films will be screened at this two-day festival, including Space Tourists, a documentary about an Iranian-American woman’s journey to space. Tickets are sold on the day of the shows only. Go here for a complete schedule.

San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut Street, San Francisco

Thursday 10/7: Mill Valley Film Festival (Film)

Now a thirtysomething (33 to be exact), the Mill Valley Film Fest shows no sign of slowing down. It does feel, though, quite grownup. The tributes this year go to Annette Bening and Edward Norton — guaranteeing at least two celebrity sightings in the Bay Area — with one of the opening night films starring Daly City native Sam Rockwell (in "Conviction"). Some other highlights include Swedish documentary "Submission," directed by Stefan Jarl, about the chemicals found in his (and maybe your?) bloodstream; a screening of Doug Liman's "Fair Game," a biopic about outed CIA agent Valerie Plame; and a live soundtrack performance by Califone to accompany "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers." See full schedule for details and pricing. 

Various locations, Mill Valley

Thursday 10/14: S.F. DocFest (Film)

For the 9th annual San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, which promises "a manageable amount of the truth," expect the unexpected. One local feature will be "The People vs. George Lucas," directed by Alexandre Phillipe, utilizes a variety of material, including clay, to delve into the cult of Lucas. The creator of "Star Wars" has an army of devoted fans but also a large number of detractors, all of whom stand at the read to defend or attack. Another film to look for (which is also being screened at Mill Valley) is "Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone," by Chris Metzler and Lev Anderson, about the rise of that singular So-Cal Black punk band.  Film festivals are dime a dozen in the Bay Area, but Doc Fest is a local favorite, thanks to the depth of documentary talent locally. See website for screening info. 

Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., San Francisco

Saturday 10/16: Home Movie Day (Film)

As part of a national celebration of the beauty and strangeness of home movies, the Pacific Film Archive is hosting Home Movie Day, where residents were encouraged to drop off their finest (and funniest?) home flicks for a public viewing. If you submitted, you'll be notified by October 1 that the world will see your Super 8 of Christmas in '78 or last month's amazing cat video. And if you forgot to mail in a video, there's still a chance to get it screened. Stop by PFA at 11 a.m. on the day of the event, and your home movie will be inspected. It's like YouTube, only in person. Free.

Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley