SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — The 16th annual 3rd i South Asian International Film Festival begins this weekend in San Francisco, with women filmmakers, healing and dialogue as core themes.

Opening up Nov. 1 at San Francisco’s New People Cinema with “Good Guy Bad Guy,” the four-day festival will shift to the Castro Theatre the following day featuring two films — “Village Rockstars” and “Befikre” — for the price of one, before closing out the weekend at New People Cinema.

Designed to showcase the diversity among South Asians, along with cinema from Canada, Australia and the U.S., 3rd i prides itself on being representative of the local community since it was founded in San Francisco’s Mission District by Ivan Jaigirdar, Shilpa Mankikar and Camille Ramani in 2001.

“Having a critical arena to view films and to discuss it with a community creates community, creates change,” Jaigirdar told Diya TV following last year’s festival. “I think we’re part of the cycle of change.”

Additionally, 3rd i will hold a screening of “A Suitable Girl” at the Palo Alto Art Center on Nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $10-$11 and can be purchased online or at each box office.