Mill Valley Film Festival
 | |
| Location | Mill Valley, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 1977 |
| Founded by | Mark Fishkin |
| Hosted by | California Film Institute |
| Website | mvff |
The Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) is an annual film festival organized by the California Film Institute. It takes place each October in Mill Valley, California and welcomes more than 200 filmmakers, representing more than 50 countries, each year.
History
In October 1977, Mark Fishkin, Rita Cahill and Lois Cole organized a three-day film festival. It featured three film tributes, Francis Ford Coppola's The Rain People and George Lucas' Filmmaker.[1] The first official festival took place in August 1978.[2]
About the Festival
The San Francisco Bay Area continues to be a significant market for independent and international film,[1][3] and MVFF provides a forum for introducing new films to West coast audiences.[4]
Presented by the California Film Institute, the Mill Valley Film Festival takes place in early October. With a reputation for launching new films and creating awards season buzz, MVFF has earned a reputation as a 'filmmakers' festival" by celebrating the best in American independent and world cinema alongside high profile and prestigious award contenders.
Notable attendees have included actors Gena Rowlands, Forest Whitaker, Alfre Woodard, and Robin Williams, and directors Sean Baker, Jane Campion, Greta Gerwig, and Denis Villeneuve.[5][6]
Festival Sections include the World Cinema, US Cinema, Valley of the Docs, filmHOOD, 5@5 (shorts programs) and MVFF Music.
Festival Initiatives include Mind the Gap: Women | Film | Tech, Viva El Cine! and Active Cinema.[1][7][8]
The festival also features tributes and spotlights to acclaimed filmmakers, screenwriters and actors.[9] Screenings are usually held at the Christopher B Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, the Sequoia Theatre in Mill Valley, the Cinema in Corte Madera, and the Lark Theatre in Larkspur.[1]
Screen International has named Mill Valley Film Festival a Top 10 US film festival.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d Cahill, Greg (October 1–7, 1998). "A Life in Film: Mark Fishkin ushers in Mill Valley Film Fest". Sonoma County Independent. Metro Publishing. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
- ^ "Mill Valley Film Festival 1978" (Press release). Mill Valley, CA. 1978.
- ^ Zinko, Carolyne (October 9, 2004). "Mill Valley Film Festival skips prizes, keeps focus on celluloid". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- ^ Manos, Gus (October 10, 2008). "Joe Wright at MVFF Insight Event". CineSource Magazine. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ Vigil, Delfin (September 13, 2006). "Mill Valley Film Festival looks to be fit for royalty". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
- ^ Johnson, G. Allen (September 9, 2021). "Mill Valley Film Festival returns with Kenneth Branagh among big names and major emphasis on safety". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-09-12.
- ^ "Mill Valley Film Festival: The United States' Largest Fall Celebration of Indie and International Films Wraps One of its Most Successful Years". Mvff.org. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ Welte, Jim (August 5, 2011). "MVFF Unveils Children's FilmFest Lineup". Mill Valley Patch. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ Manos, Gus (November 27, 2008). "MVFF Tribute to Eric Roth". CineSource Magazine. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
- ^ "Mill Valley Film Festival announces SHANGHAI CALLING Northern California premiere!". Shanghaicalling.com. September 13, 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
