The Documentary Film Institute will hold a tribute festival honoring two documentarians who have contributed more than 60 years of creative insight to the world of filmmaking.

“A Tribute to Leacock and Pennebaker” will showcase the work of veteran filmmakers, Richard Leacock and D.A. Pennebaker, who have both worked in the film business more than 60 years. It will feature 22 documentaries including home movies and feature films.

This is the first festival for the Documentary Film Institute, which was established nearly a year ago. Under the auspices of the International Center for the Arts at SF State, the Documentary Film Institute collaborated with SF State students and alumni to coordinate the four-day film festival that will take place March 2-5 at the de Young Museum and Castro Theatre. On Wednesday the filmmakers both received the George and Judy Marcus Lifetime Achievement Award, named in honor of SF State cinema alumni.

“These two filmmakers are, if not the most influential, the most important documentary filmmakers in the last 50 years,” said Cinema Department Chair Stephen Ujlaki, who is also director of the Documentary Film Institute. “This is a tribute to the real pioneers.”

Leacock began his career in 1948 working with Robert Flaherty, who made the first American feature length documentary “Nanook of the North” in 1922 and went on to make two documentaries about President John F. Kennedy, “Primary” and “Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment.”

Pennebaker, on the other hand, is known for his musical documentaries such as “Don’t Look Back” about folk singer Bob Dylan and “Monterey Pop,” a film about the landmark music festival in Northern California in 1967. The two have also produced many documentaries together including an Academy Award nominated documentary about Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Leacock and Pennebaker will appear in person at many of the screenings and will be available for questions after those shows.

There will be several well-known films on the program. Screenings include:

“Louisiana Story,” this documentary follows a family living in the Louisiana bayous whose lives are changed when oil drillers begin prospecting in their hometown in 1948. This film received a Pulitzer Prize for its musical composition. March 4 at 2 p.m. at the Castro Theatre.

“Don’t Look Back,” this documentary follows Bob Dylan during a three-week tour in England. This film is a look at Dylan’s life, work and views during the chaotic 1960s. March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Castro Theatre.

“Monterey Pop,” a predecessor to the “Woodstock” documentary, this three-day festival spotlights the live performances of musical greats like Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, The Who and others. The highlight of the film is an electric guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix. March 4 at 9 p.m. at the Castro Theatre.

“Primary," a documentary that gives an intimate look at John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign focusing on the 1960 Wisconsin Primary, the event which brought him into the national spotlight. March 5 at the de Young Museum.

Admission is free for any film showing before 7 p.m and all other screenings are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the box office of Castro Theatre or de Young Museum and online at www.ticketweb.com.