The San Francisco Film Society is delighting Bay Area film lovers by presenting its annual film festival and there are plenty of great movies to explore. There’s something in the schedule for every kind of film fan and digging through the program has unlocked many hidden gems worth checking out.

Currently celebrating its 58th birthday, the festival has already debuted some amazing cinema but the second half of the program promises to be even better, starting this past weekend and going until May 7. Celebrity highlights so far have included Guillermo Del Toro and Richard Gere charming audiences with Hollywood stories before picking up their own Bay Area award. As for the movies, a lot of the best picks from the first half of the program are also replaying before the fest’s final curtain but below is an alphabetical list of movies that should be on your radar when making your selections.

There are plenty of festival days left so make sure to check out these highlights from the second half of the program.

‘The End of the Tour’

Jason Segel has been collecting accolades for his commanding performance in The End of the Tour since the film’s debut at Sundance. Early audiences witnessed him tear up the screen in his spot-on portrayal of literary genius David Foster Wallace and that heat has followed the film to its festival debut here in SF. The movie is based on the 2008 memoir by Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky which depicts the duo’s 1996 road trip where the two writers butt heads over anything and everything. Accompanied by the film’s director James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now), Segel will be at the film’s centerpiece screening no doubt receiving more praise for his surprising and unflinching work.

‘Experimenter’

Controversial psychologist Stanley Milgram is best known for the infamous Stanford prison experiment and his obedience tests are at the heart of his interesting biography, Experimenter. Peter Sarsgaard dominates the film as Milgram as he moves through the screen with a sense of curiosity and fascination. His ultimate question of how far will people go in the name of authority is dissected in fascinating ways which also shed new light on Milgram’s private life. The strong supporting cast includes Winona Ryder, Jim Gaffigan, Dennis Haysbert and John Leguizamo and they help to flesh out the film in surprising ways. Experimenter will be the closing night film at this year’s festival.

‘Love & Mercy’

Paul Dano and John Cusack both play legendary Beach Boys star Brian Wilson at different stages of his life in “Love & Mercy” and as the film criss-crosses between the 1960s and 80s, a smooth balance of joy and sadness surround the film. We witness as Wilson hits historic highs with his music, transcending what his wildest dreams thought possible but we also see his adult lows as he battles with illness and despair. Director Bill Pohlad is obviously a fan of Wilson’s music but he also adds just the right amount of truth and tragedy to not make Love & Mercy a one-sided story.

‘Mr. Holmes’

An older and retired Sherlock Holmes (played by Ian McKellen) has retreated to the countryside when a 30 year-old case comes back from the past to tease him once more. Never one to back down from a challenge, the always curious Holmes must dig into his memories to solve this long-forgotten mystery. The film is based on Mitch Cullin’s novel A Slight Trick of the Mind and the adaptation always keeps the wheels turning. Working with his Gods and Monsters director Bill Condon, McKellen sinks his teeth into the juicy role of Holmes and Laura Linney (who also worked with Condon on “Kinsey”) also shines in a smaller, subdued role.

‘Tangerine’

Fresh from prison and throbbing with anger, a transvestite prostitute teams up with her best friend on a search for her cheating pimp. Blazing through the streets of Los Angeles they meet allies, foes and many johns in between. Tangerine is not only fresh and inventive but it’s also the can’t-miss film of the festival. Getting much attention at Sundance for his low-key guerilla style, director Sean Baker shot Tangerine on an iPhone 5S with a wide angle lens and an $8 after effects app. Normally that would be enough to get him the WOW factor but Tangerine is a thrilling ride to boot. It moves fast and takes no prisoners. There are many great films playing at this year’s festival but put this one at the top of your list.

‘The Tribe’

Told without a single spoken word and focusing on a school for the deaf, The Tribe is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s also sexually graphic, violent and very tough to sit through. Some will admire the film’s radical approach to storytelling but many will also be tested. One thing is for sure, The Tribe is not boring and definitely doesn’t pull any punches. The movie communicates only through sign language and follows the criminal exploits of young Sergey, a dumb and confused kid who makes things worse for himself with every decision he makes.

‘Welcome to Me’

Alice Klieg (Kristen Wiig) has just won an $86 million lottery jackpot but she also suffers from a personality disorder. The combination of these two things catapult her out of her current middling existence and into a creepier reality. A place where she can literally walk into her local cable access station and buy her own TV show centered around herself. Strapped for cash, the higher-ups agree to indulge her lunacy as long as the checks clear and the resulting product make Welcome to Me one of the bravest and strangest performances Wiig has given to date. (Film depicted above)

Buy tickets to these and all events for the 58th San Francisco Film Festival at this link.