The Mill Valley Film Festival kicks off its 39th year running from October 6-16th. The 11-day event will screen over 60 films across Marin County ranging from a diverse program of mainstream studio features to independent voices from around the world. But it’s clear you don’t have to travel far to see such talent. These 14 films with a Marin/North Bay connection will be screening throughout the festival and are sure to impress. Be sure to check them out and show your support.
Mill Valley
A LOVE POEM TO MY FRIEND ETHEL
Documentary Short
Director Wendy Slick
A tribute to Ethel Seiderman, an 85-year- old early childhood education activist and pioneer who’s had a lasting impact on the children of the Bay Area.
Director Wendy Slick lives in Mill Valley
NASCENT
Documentary Short
Directors Lindsay Branham and Jon Kasbe
Two children, one Christian and one Muslim, seek answers from each other about a bloody civil war that has divided a Central African Republic.
Director Lindsay Branham grew up in Mill Valley
San Anselmo
CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER
Documentary Feature
Director Doug Nichol
Weaving three stories—of a repair business, a collector, and an artist—and including interviews with famous typewriter devotees like Tom Hanks, Sam Shepard, and David McCullough, this documentary celebrates the creative virtues and tactile joys of the typewriter.
Director Doug Nichol lives in San Anselmo
San Rafael
THE ARCHITECT
Narrative Feature
Director Jonathan Parker
Indie darling Parker Posey (Best in Show) and Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) star as a couple attempting to start a family and build their dream house, but trouble brews even before an oddball architect (James Frain, Orphan Black) begins dissecting their lives.
Director Jonathan Parker lives in San Rafael
FINDING JUSTICE: ENDING THE SCHOOL PRISON PIPELINE
Documentary Short
Director Vincent Cortez
One Latino boy’s journey through the YMCA Marin County Youth Court demonstrates how a unique peer-to- peer program can give troubled teens a second chance.
FINDING JUSTICE: ENDING THE SCHOOL PRISON PIPELINE was produced in San Rafael
POLKA DOTT
Narrative Short
Director Cynthia Pepper
The ultra cute Dott invites us to travel through her imagination as she talks about herself and her friends.
Director Cynthia Pepper lives in San Rafael
THE RENDEZVOUS
Narrative Feature
Director Amin Matalqa
Stana Katic (Castle) stars as an American doctor who travels to Jordan and teams with a State Department agent (Raza Jaffrey, Homeland) to uncover the truth behind her brother’s suspicious death.
Producer Tricia Hellman Gibbs lives in San Rafael
STOLEN YOUTH: POLITICAL PRISONER OF THE DICTATORSHIP
Documentary Short
Director Joshua Dylan Mellars
A Buenos Aires resident revisits the prison where he was “detained” 40 years ago during the Argentine military dictatorship.
Soundtrack musician George Sakellariou lives in San Rafael
Director Joshua Dylan Mellars grew up in Marin and Sonoma County
STRINGS ATTACHED
Director George Rosenfeld
A travelling puppet show is shown at their best in a performance at St. Raphael School in San Rafael.
Director George Rosenfeld lives in San Rafael
Sausalito
THE NEW ENVIRONMENTALISTS – FROM PERU TO TANZANIA
Documentary Short
Directors Will Parrinello, John Antonelli, Tom Dusendery
Inspiring portraits of six dedicated activists from around the world who have placed themselves squarely in harm’s way to battle intimidating adversaries while safeguarding the Earth’s natural resources from exploitation and pollution. From the Mill Valley Film Group and their Emmy Award-winning series narrated by Robert Redford.
Production Company Mill Valley Film Group is based out of Sausalito
Napa / Sonoma County
CRESCITE
Documentary Short
Director Will Agee
Napa Valley’s growing migrant farm worker population presents challenges. But when a community comes together, great things can be accomplished.
Director Will Agee is a Bay Area native is based out of Saint Helena
GREEN / IS / GOLD
Narrative Feature
Director Ryon Baxter
Set against the world of cannabis, this coming-of- age-story focuses on two young brothers forced to fend for themselves in the gorgeous green hills of Northern California.
Director Ryon Baxter lives in Sonoma
THE GROOVE IS NOT TRIVIAL
Documentary Feature
Director Tommie Dell Smith
A film about Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, the artists around him, and the power of traditional music to change people’s lives. This World premiere will be accompanied by a live performance by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas as part of MVFF Music at the Sweetwater Music Hall.
Director Tommie Dell Smith lives in Cloverdale in Sonoma County
PARIS CAN WAIT
Narrative Feature
Director Eleanor Coppola
A seemingly innocent offer of a ride from Cannes to Paris evolves into a flirtatious road trip as a playfully rakish bachelor (Arnaud Viard) woos the alternately amused and vexed wife (a luminous Diane Lane) of a movie producer friend. Eleanor Coppola's effervescent first feature celebrates transitory romance and the glories of France.
Director Eleanor Coppola lives in the Napa Valley
