Jewish cinema: The 2007 San Francisco Jewish Film Festival begins. “Sweet Mud,” a drama about life on an Israeli kibbutz, is the opening-night feature. [6:30 p.m. (reception) and 8 p.m. (screening), Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.]

Who’s in town

Actress and writer Amber Tamblyn performs at Girl Fest Bay Area’s opening-night concert. Girl Fest is a multivenue event designed to increase public awareness about girls’ and young women’s issues. [8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Café du Nord, 2170 Market St.]

City activities

Tchaikovsky night: The San Francisco Symphony’s Summer in the City series presents “An Evening With Tchaikovsky.” Violinist Karen Gomyo joins the orchestra. [8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.]

Focus on kids: Project Luz presents a reception benefiting its effort to teach photojournalism to children in Mexico. The evening features wine, live music and photography. [6 to 8:30 p.m., Mexican Consulate, 532 Folsom St.]

Literary events

Jerry Stahl: The memoirist and fiction writer reads from “Love Without,” a story collection. [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave.]

Marc Lecard: The debut novelist discusses “Vinnie’s Head.” [7 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Plaza]

Lectures

Home remodeling: The Department of Building Inspection hosts a talk on how to plan a home remodel. [Noon, 1660 Mission St., Room 2001]

Creative planning: Creators from REBAR, a collaborative group of creators, designers and activists, discuss landscape-transformation projects. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 312 Sutter St.]

At the public library

‘Family Movie Night’: Biographies of Booker T. Washington and Harriet Tubman screen. [5 p.m., Bayview Branch, 5075 Third St.]

‘Bat Lady’: Patricia Winters reveals the intriguing side of bats and dispels common myths about these animals. The program is for ages 5 and older (accompanied by adults). [3 p.m., Excelsior Branch, 4400 Mission St.]