Why it has taken till 2023 for me to get to the MVFF is a mystery. This year's festival runs Thu,…read moreOct 5, 2023 - Mon, Oct 16, 2023.
It's exciting and convenient that we have an opportunity to participate in a small, navigable, regional film festival that includes thoughtful and innovative films, surprise appearances by directors, and hopefully (after the actors strike concludes) talented actors, all in own backyard.
The film festival is organized by The California Film Institute, an arts nonprofit in San Rafael. MVFF provides a forum for introducing new films to West coast audiences well before theatrical release dates.
This year I planned to see "Saltburn" by the brilliant Emerald Fennel, who previously won an Academy Award and BAFTA for "Promising Young Woman." What I wasn't expecting was an intimate Q&A (she spoke the day before, but opted to stay for the second showing) talking candidly about the motivation for her transgressive, lush and surprising film.
Cord Jefferson's satire, "American Fiction" featured a supremely talented cast, including Jeffrey Wright and Issa Ray, and it's searing insights brought laughter, "aha's" and self-examination to a privileged Marin film audience.
Many films show at the Christopher Smith Rafael Theatre (and also at other local sites), the festival is well run, organized and is attended by directors, journalists, critics and local cinephiles.
Tickets are sold online (normal tickets prices, $16, or more if there will be a special guest Q&A) and the bigger films go to "Rush" quickly, meaning all advance tickets are sold out, but a handful of remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
Don't miss it!