NOV 8 - 12, 2017
On The Red Carpet Will Ferrell, Nancy Meyers, Michael Shannon and more p. 25 At The Festival Gala Biggest film, food & wine party of the year p. 37 On The Big Screen The Shape of Water, The Upside I, Tonya, Molly’s Game p. 46
A new story in the Napa Valley is about to unfold.
Sensual, sophisticated, elegant. Welcome to a Yountville more intimate – undeniably refined. A place to get lost in a lush-meets-luxe hotel experience.
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VINTNER CIRCLE The Vintner Circle represents the wineries contributing some of the most elegant and distinctive elements that make the Napa Valley Film Festival such a unique and special experience. Vintner Circle members share their finest wines at the A-List Dinner Party Thursday evening celebrating our Celebrity Tributes Honorees, present large-format bottles of their finest wine to Award Winners during the Saturday evening Awards Ceremony, and provide VIP tasting opportunities at the Festival Gala that follows. Vintner Circle members also host one of the highlights of the festival: our famed Vintner Circle Dinner Series, with 21 simultaneously unfolding intimate evenings of food, wine and animated conversation about cinematic storytelling. Salud!
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2017 VINTNER CIRCLE ROSTER
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PATRON CIRCLE Elevate your festival experience by joining our exclusive Patron Circle, a group of old and new friends who are amongst our strongest and most loyal supporters. Patron Circle members enjoy intimate access to filmmakers, industry power players and celebrities, and the best of Napa Valley’s finest food, wine and hospitality. They also provide invaluable support for our filmmaker development and local student education and outreach programs. Beyond the Velvet Rope Never wait in line. Members enjoy VIP access, concierge service, reserved seats and private lounges.
Choose one of three levels of access and indulgence, plus support our Education & Outreach programs.
PATRON | $2,500 The Essential VIP Experience A-LISTER | $5,000 The Elevated VIP Experience MOVIE MOGUL | $25,000 The Ultimate VIP Experience
Up Close and Personal Rub elbows and party with the celebrities and industry power players.
Discover New Talent
Want to become part of our inner circle? Upgrade your pass or join today by calling 707.226 .7500 or emailing Fearon@nvff.org
Meet up-and-coming writers, directors, actors and producers.
Best Food, Wine and Hospitality Vintner Circle Dinners and all special events are paired with Napa Valley’s finest.
The Inner Circle Be the first to know what’s happening. Support and engage with our mission year-round. Use your customized itinerary to assure you don’t miss any of the action throughout the festival.
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2017 PATRON CIRCLE ROSTER
ROSTER AS OF SEPTEMBER 30
MOVIE MOGULS Leslie & Keith Blodgett Carla Buffington Robin & John Dunbar Jennifer King & Timothy Fredel Jennifer Carrico & Chris Kelly Irene & Ed Ojdana Commissioner Mae C. Woo & Chris Woo A-LISTERS Mary & William Agee Carissa Ashman Michelle & Robin Baggett Sara Haid & Mark Barnby Stephanie Block Renee Coker Naomi & Patrick Davila Scott Delman Dana & Andy Eckert Sonya & Richard Garber The Gardner Grout Foundation
Laura & Tawhid Gazi Susan & David Gill Michele & David Glasser Carolina & Barry Gustin John Heflebower Patricia Decker & John Holton Pepper & Michael Jackson Christina & Robert Jennings Karen Ballou & Jay Lucas Maureen & Marlin McKeever Hedy & Jeff Nochimson
Jo-Ann & Jim Riddell Maria-Liisa Barnby & Clay Riddell Brenda Riddell Sofi & Tyson Riddell Marshall Ruben Jane & Larry Solomon Janice Turner Hilary & Chris Wendel Eugenia Melian & Paul Zaentz
PATRONS Chris & John Allen Commissioner Kat Anderson Myrna & Jim Andrews Deanna & Radomir Antovich Norma & John Balen Donna & Jeffrey Bernstein Judy Boemer Brenda Boone Lori Brooke Ulla & John Brown Issa Gepp & Charles Brumbaugh Linda & Paul Cantey Lisa Cort & David Goldman Debra Crow Jackie Curleigh Thom Dance Diana Zaragoza & Patricio Davila Terry DeBacco Terri & Goran Dragoslavic #NVFF17
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Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky Wotkyns LLP Millie Segal Laura Levy Shatkin Suzanne & Chris Shepanek Peta & Don Shindle Rebecca & Aaron Shocket Stacy & Scott Silver Sasha Match & Randy Sloan Ellen & Phillip Smith Betsy & Jacalyn Spence Rhonda & Bill Tannenbaum Leigh Anne & Tony Torres Michael Trujillo Lisa & Mark Van Gils Liz & Larry Weissman Charles Willson Stephanie & Michael Woods Krys & Randy Wulff Debbie & Mike Zeiden
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FOUNDERS NOTE
compelling new films. Building on the metaphor, we are reminded of a gorgeous movie, and a most spectacular meal, from 30 years ago: the magical 1987 film Babette’s Feast, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The key messages inside of Babette’s Feast are about embracing “the other”, about opening oneself up to new ways of looking at the world, about hospitality and grace. Poignant, relevant, timeless.
7TH ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
Welcome
Here in one of the world’s most alluring destinations, our annual celebration of film, food and wine always falls at a beautiful time of year. Sandwiched between the harvest and the holidays is a period marked in so many cultures for the giving of thanks. One of the many things for which we are truly thankful is that this year’s festival does not kick off with a national election! While there are always plenty of headline-grabbing events to divert our attention, we continue this year to build upon our core aspirations: enriching Napa Valley’s cultural vitality with an infusion of positive, inspiring and entertaining stories; and building a strong sense of community amongst the storytellers and audience members who crave deeper meaning, new experiences, perhaps some therapeutic healing, and, most of all, a strong sense of connection to something good, and lasting, and true. A lovely tradition to accompany the giving of thanks is sitting down with old and new friends to enjoy the bounty of the season’s harvest. Along with Napa Valley’s incredible wine and cuisine, we assemble a banquet table overflowing with the year’s most
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This year’s festival is dedicated to storytellers who share their beguiling art with us in the dark, moving us to think and to feel and to take action This year’s festival is dedicated to storytellers who share their beguiling art with us in the dark, moving us to think and to feel and to take action; to Napa Valley’s wizards of food, wine and hospitality who help us deliver and unparalleled experience; and to everyone who has helped us get to where we are today, most especially those who have been with us from the beginning. On behalf of our year-round team, seasonal production crew, volunteers, board of directors, sponsors and partners, we thank you — artists and audience — and invite you to celebrate with us at the 7th annual Napa Valley Film Festival. See you at the movies.
Marc Lhormer, Co-founder
Brenda Lhormer, Co-founder
59 MIKE DAVIS
Davis Estates
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CHRIS COSENTINO
Las Alcobas | Acacia House
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JEAN-NOEL FOURMEAUX DU SARTEL VGS Chateau Potelle
15 FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Venues & Daily Highlights
26 OPENING NIGHT
76 DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Festival in full swing
Nine real stories in competition
25 CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
90 THE LOUNGE
Honoring established players
29 RISING STAR SHOWCASE
Saluting a new generation of talent
30 VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS Mouth-watering epicurean adventures
36 AWARDS CEREMONY
Presentation of Juried and Audience Awards
37 FESTIVAL GALA
The ultimate film, food and wine party of the year
38 CLOSING NIGHT
Sending the festival off in style
42 PROGRAMMER'S NOTES
Documentary & Narrative Competition Filmmakers
44 FESTIVAL JURY
Industry experts choose the best of the best
46 AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
Sneak peeks and big stars
62 NARRATIVE FEATURES Nine indie films in competition
Hip, cool, adventurous features and shorts
104 NARRATIVE SHORTS
Three shorts programs in competition
110 DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Three shorts programs in competition
116 SHORT FEATURES
Four programs with fresh stories real and imagined
124 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Great films up for audience awards, Education Programs
143 OFF SCREEN
Screenplay Competition, Lexus Short Films, Culinary Demos, Wine Tasting, Music
144 ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
Documentary & Narrative Competition Filmmakers
146 FESTIVAL FACULTY
Industry veterans share their wisdom
161 ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS Board, staff, volunteers, partners
175 SURVIVAL GUIDE
How to Fest, Passes & Tickets
182 DAILY SCHEDULE GRIDS Day by day, venue by venue
195 FILM INDEX
Front cover photo: Bob McClenahan
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Perfecting the Art of Winemaking for Over 150 Years
2014 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Springs Vineyard - Napa Valley
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Proud Sponsor of the 2017 Napa Valley Film Festival
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW Tue
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5:30 PM | 8:30 PM
7:30 PM | 9:45 PM
SNEAK PREVIEW NIGHT SCREENINGS
DENNIS QUAID AND THE SHARKS
Cameo Cinema | St. Helena ....featuring Back to Burgandy & Liyana The Copia Theater | Napa p. 125, 127
Dennis and his band provide a lively musical kick-off to this years festival. Tickets available: bluenotenapa.com Blue Note | Napa
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
MEET THE ARTISTS RECEPTION
MEET THE ARTISTS
Patron Circle Members meet this year's Artists-in-Residence. Estate Events by Meadowood provides the cuisine. Caldwell Snyder Gallery | St. Helena
Wed
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Caldwell Snyder Gallery | 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
p. 184 - 185
Presented by Meadowood Napa Valley Meadowood Napa Valley | Napa p. 144 - 147
3:00 PM
5:30 PM
CULINARY DEMONSTRATION
OPENING NIGHT SCREENING
The CIA at Copia | Napa p. 152 - 153
The Upside Uptown Theatre | Napa p. 49
Thu
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
VARIETY'S 10 TO TASTE
p. 186 - 187
OPENING NIGHT VIP PARTY Italics Winegrowers | 8:00 PM | p. 24
Presented by Food Network & Cooking Channel The CIA at Copia | Napa p. 153
11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS
WINE TASTINGS
The CIA at Copia | Napa p. 152 - 153
The CIA at Copia Intermission | Napa Farmstead Wine Pavilion | St. Helena pp. 153, 155
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
Lincoln Theater | 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM | p. 25
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
PATRON TRIBUTES RECEPTION
A-LIST DINNER PARTY
Napa Valley Museum | Yountville p. 27
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Eleven Eleven Winery | Napa p. 28
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FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Fri
10
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
FILM INDUSTRY MIXER
p. 188 - 189
Filmmakers, celebrities and industry executives mix and mingle. A-Listers and Movie Moguls also invited. Raymond Vineyards | Rutherford
11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS
WINE TASTINGS
The CIA at Copia | Napa p. 152 - 153
The CIA at Copia Intermission | Napa Farmstead Wine Pavilion | St. Helena pp. 153, 155
VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM | p. 30 - 33
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM
MOVIE MOGUL DINNER
FRIDAY NIGHT BASH
Presented by Meadowood Napa Valley Meadowood Napa Valley | St. Helena p. 33
Martin | St. Helena p. 35
Sat
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
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SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
VETERANS DAY FILM PROGRAM
p. 190 - 191
Four special films highlighting heroism and social justice. Lincoln Theater | Yountville p. 55, 134, 135
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM
RISING STAR SHOWCASE
CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS
Materra | Cunat Family Winery | Napa p. 29
The CIA at Copia | Napa p.152 - 153
FESTIVAL GALA
The CIA at Copia | 8:00 PM - 12:00 PM | p. 37
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
WINE TASTINGS
AWARDS CEREMONY
The CIA at Copia Intermission | Napa Farmstead Artisan Pavilion | St. Helena pp. 153, 155
Uptown Theatre | Napa p. 36
Sun
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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SCREENINGS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY
WINE TASTINGS
p. 192 - 193
The CIA at Copia Intermission | Napa Farmstead Artisan Pavillion | St. Helena pp. 153 , 155
5:30 PM
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING
WRAP PARTY
Molly's Game Uptown Theatre | Napa p. 57
Materra | Cunat Family Winery | Napa p. 38
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CULINARY DEMOS
The CIA at Copia | p. 152 - 153
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VENUES NAPA
Screening Venue
CAPACITY: 850 SEATS
Food
Wine
CAPACITY: 300 SEATS
Uptown Theatre 1350 Third St Built in 1937 and refurbished in 2010, the Uptown Theatre is Napa’s art deco crown jewel and home to some of our biggest red carpet screenings. Multiple options for wining and dining are within steps of the Uptown in Napa’s historic downtown.
Located upstairs at the Napa Valley Opera House, the JaM Cellars Ballroom returns as a comfortable new theater venue. Shorts and features playing in the competitive and indie/ edgy Lounge section have their down-valley screenings at this location.
Located next to the Oxbow Market, the Copia Theater at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA)'s Copia will host a variety of films, several with enticing culinary themes. Grab a bite and a glass of wine at The Restaurant at CIA Copia before your next screening.
CAPACITY: 1200 SEATS
CAPACITY: 80 SEATS
CAPACITY: 140 SEATS
CAPACITY: 240 SEATS
The Copia Theater at the Culinary Institute of America 500 First St
ST. HELENA
The Lincoln Theater is our largest venue, on the hill in Yountville. The Lincoln is home to the Celebrity Tributes, our Veterans Day program, and a variety of screenings. This venue offers the greatest chance of getting in via the Rush Line, and Rush Tickets here are only $10.
Special Event
JaM Cellars Ballroom at the Margrit Mondavi Theatre 1030 Main St
YOUNTVILLE
Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater 100 California Dr
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A unique collection of theaters showcase our films and provide the forum for post-screening Q&As with attending filmmakers. Several theaters have concessions and/or a winery partner offering wines for sampling and/or purchase.
CAPACITY: 200 SEATS
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch 738 Main St
Charles Krug Winery 2800 Main St
This characterful and historic meeting hall in St. Helena is just steps off Main Street. The screening room showcases a variety of films and serves as home to the up-valley screenings of the films playing in The Lounge, the program section for the festival’s more edgy and adventurous movies.
The Carriage House at Charles Krug Winery boasts a soaring cathedral ceiling, a floor finished in old-growth redwood and stunning hand-forged chandeliers. Be sure to grab a glass of your favorite Charles Krug wine before heading upstairs to watch your next movie.
CAPACITY: 90 SEATS
CAPACITY: 160 SEATS
Cameo Cinema 1340 Main St
Freemark Abbey 3022 St Helena Highway North
Native Sons Hall 1313 Spring St
Founded in 1913, the Cameo is 104 years old. This jewel box of a theater boasts the latest in digital projection, plus the state of the art Dolby Atmos sound system which elevates the entire movie-watching experience. Concessions available.
Newly renovated Freemark Abbey has converted its historic barrel room into an intimate theater for a memorable experience. Enjoy awardwinning wines in the tasting room and visit Two Birds/One Stone, the restaurant by acclaimed chefs Douglas Keane and Sang Yoon.
This characterful meeting hall in St. Helena is just steps off Main Street. The screening room serves as home to the up-valley screenings of the films playing in The Lounge, the program section for the festival’s more edgy and adventurous movies.
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Calistoga Shuttle Stops Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa Mount View Hotel Vermeil Wines
CALISTOGA 128
Freemark Abbey 3022 St Helena Highway North
Cameo Cinema 1340 Main St
Charles Krug Winery 2800 Main St
ST. HELENA
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch 738 Main St
Martin Showroom 1350 Main St
Caldwell Snyder Gallery Native Sons Hall 1328 Main St 1313 Spring St 29
Raymond Vineyards 849 Zinfandel Ln
YOUNTVILLE Napa Valley Museum 55 Presidents Cir Lincoln Theater 100 California Dr
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards 4326 Big Ranch Rd Eleven Eleven Winery 620 Trancas St
NAPA
Westin Verasa Napa 1314 McKinstry St
The CIA at JaM Cellars Copia Ballroom 500 First St 1030 Main St
KEY
Italics Winegrowers 70 Rapp Ln
Uptown Acumen Theatre Wines 1350 Third St 1315 First St
Screening Venue Food Wine Special Event
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*Venue locations are not exact, please download our mobile app for accurate locations
SAN FRANCISCO (47 MILES)
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N A P A
VALLEY
97
POINTS
n a p a v a l l e y re-imagined
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POINTS
95
POINTS
2014 GENERATIONS CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 RUTHERFORD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
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POINTS
93
POINTS
2014 ST. HELENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 OAKVILLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 RESERVE SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Raymond Vineyards passionately sponsors the 2017 Trailblazer Award Napa’s most diverse and dynamic destination, dedicated to inspiring passion, creativity, and discovery. RAYMOND VINEYARD S.COM
SPECIAL PROFILE
Charlie Palmer Charlie Palmer Steak | Archer Hotel Napa If you’ve taken a stroll through downtown Napa in the last few years, you may have noticed that a lot has changed. The concept of the Napa Valley as a vacation destination has changed with it. What was once a couple’s weekend getaway for wine tasting and a twonight stay at a cute Bed & Breakfast has grown into the development of what some would call a “metropolis.” But if you think traffic on Main St. is the extent of Napa’s growth, Charlie Palmer and his team at Charlie Palmer Group encourage you to think again. “We see the length of stay increasing at our hotels every year, so it’s become a true vacation destination—not just a weekend getaway spot. The hotel options in Napa Valley are so diverse as well, ranging from tiny B&Bs on the vineyard to big new luxury properties like Las Alcobas.” Charlie Palmer Group’s newest venture is Charlie Palmer Steak at the new Archer Hotel Napa, adding yet another exciting element to the burst of activity in the downtown area, which many are describing as a regional renaissance. Anchoring First Street, right in the heart of the action, Archer Hotel Napa is set to open just in time for the seventh annual Napa Valley Film Festival. “Wine country and NYC are our real primary objectives right now,” Palmer says, “so Napa is a big piece of the puzzle. This new restaurant brings our first ever Charlie Palmer Steak to California into a city that’s about to peak. It’s exciting.” And with the steady growth of yearly visitors and the hospitality to accommodate demand,
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there seems to be a question lingering across the Valley lately: what does Napa look like in five years? “Bustling! Once the Archer project is complete, you’ll have a totally different view of downtown Napa than you do right now. Five years will make a huge difference— more shops, more bars, more tasting rooms, interesting concepts.” There’s no question that Napa is on the rise, and a new five-story hotel is a testament to that. But how did it get here? “I think it starts with the increase in total visitors to all of Napa Valley and the desire for visitors to have experiences that not only revolve around wine, but everything that Napa has to offer—food, drink, spa, scenery, fitness, etc. The communities are growing around that. And Napa, with its city layout and proximity to SF, is an easy target for growth in Napa Valley.” It’s strange to think that until recently an extended stroll through downtown Napa wasn’t on the average visitor’s itinerary. They came for the immersive wine tasting experiences— the unmitigated change in scenery. “Compared to Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga, it has long been the lesser known city to visit. Getting people to understand that Napa is now a destination in its own right is something that all of us in Napa are focusing on. And writing that story has been a focus of our team, Archer’s team, the First Street development team, and all of downtown Napa.” The Valley’s growth has established the industry-leading standards we see today.
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World-class wine, culinary and hospitality industries have blended into an ultimate trifecta that has set the bar for every other vacation destination. But there are challenges attached to this growth for the new players in town. “We’re all dealing with the same factors— staffing is difficult, costs are rising, and we’re in a highly competitive field. We need to stand out in our game. Those issues are similar around the country, but in the microcosm of Napa Valley, they’re even more so.” What is so exciting about all of this competition and growth is that we all benefit from it. A topnotch dining experience with a phenomenal wine list is standard issue in these parts. So where do we go from here? Well, Charlie Palmer Steak opens at the new Archer Hotel in a few weeks, so let’s start there.
NAPA IS GROWING “We see the length of stay increasing at our hotels every year, so it's become a true vacation destination—not just a weekend getaway spot.” NVFF.ORG
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SPECIAL EVENTS Opening Night VIP Party Celebrity Tributes A-List Dinner Party Rising Star Showcase Vintner Circle Dinners Friday Night Bash Festival Gala Awards Ceremony Wrap Party
SPECIAL EVENTS
OPENING NIGHT OPENING NIGHT VIP PARTY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Italics Winegrowers | Napa
PASSHOLDER ACCESS Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls After the red carpet presentations of our opening night films, members of our Patron Circle and other VIP festival guests wind through the vineyards to nearby Coombsville. Our friends at stunning Italics Winery open up their wine caves for a high-energy and indulgent Opening Night Party to officially kick off this year’s film festival. Guests will enjoy cuisine by acclaimed wine country caterer Elaine Bell, Italics wines and craft cocktails shaken and served up by Scott Beattie of Estate Events by Meadowood. Lively conversation will be accompanied by live music and a killer Silent Disco for dancing late into the night.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES Join us as we salute the highest levels of cinematic achievement. The magical evening includes video clips of each honoree’s work and live onstage interviews. Access Hollywood’s Natalie Morales hosts. This year, we honor Charles Krug Legendary Filmmaker Nancy Meyers, one of the most successful female directors of all time. We tip our hats to an uber-entertainer, Caldwell Vineyard Maverick Will Ferrell. We salute Raymond Vineyards Trailblazer Michael Shannon. And we shine a Spotlight on multi-talented actor Michael Stuhlbarg. The new Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch Humanitarian Tribute will be presented to the dynamic duo of Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder for their selfless support of animal welfare issues. Please note that the Will Ferrell Tribute takes place on Friday. And on Saturday afternoon, our expanded Rising Star Showcase introduces us to a slew of young talent: Odeya Rush, Alex Wolff, Ana de Armas, Austin Stowell, Analeigh Tipton and Gregg Sulkin. See page 29. Full details at nvff.org.
EVENT DETAILS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM Lincoln Theater | Yountville PASSHOLDER ACCESS Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $75 per person $120 for two $200 for four TRIBUTE DETAILS ON NEXT PAGE
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CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
Access Hollywood's Natalie Morales will host this entertaining program.
LEGENDARY FILMMAKER
Nancy Meyers NANCY MEYERS is an iconic filmmaker who has created an outstanding body of work focusing on the female experience with her exceptionally literate and sophisticated comedies. Nancy began her career as writer/producer of Private Benjamin, earning her the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. Nancy then co-wrote and produced the hit films Irreconcilable Differences, Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, and Father of the Bride Part II. Nancy made her directorial debut with the highly popular update of the Disney classic The Parent Trap, which she also co-wrote. Nancy then directed the blockbuster romantic comedies What Women Want and Something’s Gotta Give. In 2004, Nancy became the first woman to receive the prestigious ShoWest Director of the Year Award. Nancy went on to write, direct, and produce the box-office hits The Holiday, It’s Complicated, and The Intern. Most recently, Nancy joined forces with her daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer, to produce Hallie’s directorial debut, Home Again.
MAVERICK
Will Ferrell WILL FERRELL is an iconic American entertainer and storyteller. Will became a household name when he starred on Saturday Night Live, earning him two Emmy nominations. He has since crossed over to motion picture star, producer, and internet pioneer. Some of Will’s most memorable film credits include Elf, Old School, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Blades of Glory, and StepBrothers. He earned Golden Globe nominations for his roles in The Producers and Stranger Than Fiction. Will earned Tony and Emmy nominations for his one-man show Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America: A Final Night with George W Bush, directed by Adam McKay. Will and Adam founded the overwhelmingly popular Funnyordie.com and joined forces to open their own production company, Gary Sanchez Productions. As testament to his impact on the American comedic landscape, Will received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
TRIBUTE TO WILL FERRELL On Friday, Will Ferrell joins us so that we may present a very special Maverick Tribute to this versatile comedic genius. Award-winning screenwriter and producer Andrew Steele goes oneon-one with Will in a wide-ranging live on-stage conversation. One of Napa Valley's original mavericks, Caldwell Vineyard’s John f-in’ Caldwell, will be on hand to present Will with a double magnum of his finest wine. After the tribute, attendees are invited to enjoy a free screening of one of Will’s favorite indie films featuring Will in a compelling against-type dramatic lead role. The film is Marc Forster’s 2006 dramedy Stranger Than Fiction, starring Will Ferrell with a stellar ensemble cast that includes Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman, Kristen Chenowith, Tom Hulce and Linda Hunt. The film starts at 5:45pm. 26
EVENT DETAILS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Lincoln Theater | Yountville PASSHOLDER ACCESS All Passholders INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $25 per person
TRAILBLAZER
Michael Shannon With over fifty roles in film, Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Tony Award nominated actor MICHAEL SHANNON continues to make his mark in filmed entertainment. Michael first garnered critical acclaim for his Oscar® nominated supporting role in Revolutionary Road. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe®, Screen Actors Guild, Critics’ Choice, Gotham Award and Film Independent Spirit Award for his performance in 99 Homes. Michael has had a long standing collaboration with director Jeff Nichols, appearing in Midnight Special, Loving, Take Shelter, Mud, and Shotgun Stories. Last year Michael earned an Academy Award® and Critics’ Choice nomination for his performance in Nocturnal Animals. This year Michael can be seen in the upcoming films The Shape of Water and The Current War, both playing at NVFF2017.
SPOTLIGHT
Michael Stuhlbarg An actor known for his versatility and his ability to transform with every character he portrays, MICHAEL STUHLBARG continues to be one of the most sought-after performers of his generation. Michael has earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture for his lead role in A Serious Man. He was also nominated for a Tony Award and won a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman. Michael’s film credits include Arrival, Miss Sloane, Pawn Sacrifice, Trumbo, Miles Ahead, Lincoln, Blue Jasmine, Hugo, Men in Black 3, Seven Psychopaths, Cut Bank, Hitchcock, Body of Lies, The Grey Zone, Cold Souls, and The Key to Reserva. His television credits include Boardwalk Empire and Fargo. Michael can be seen in the upcoming films Call Me By Your Name and The Shape of Water, both playing at NVFF2017.
HUMANITARIANS
Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed IAN SOMERHALDER is an actor, environmentalist and humanitarian best known for his starring role on The Vampire Diaries. Currently Ian and his wife Nikki Reed have a pod deal with Warner Bros TV to produce new content for the network under their production company Rare Birds Productions. Ian is the Founder/President of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which aims to advance science; promote the conservation of natural resources for the benefit of the entire community; provide relief to the poor, distressed, and underprivileged; and support other non-profits.
NIKKI REED launched her acting career as co-writer and star of the feature film Thirteen. Nikki is best known for her role in the Twilight Saga films, as well as the television series Sleepy Hollow. Nikki serves as an ambassador for the Humane Society and won the 2014 Compassion Award for the ASPCA. She is also the Director of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation. Nikki partnered with Freedom of Animals to launch a bag line made entirely from recycled plastic from oceans and landfills. Her lifestyle brand BaYou with Love markets upscale, eco-friendly fashion and beauty products.
PATRON TRIBUTES RECEPTION Immediately following the Celebrity Tributes, members of our Patron Circle continue the celebration. While our A-Listers and Movie Moguls dine with our honorees at the A-List Dinner Party (see next page), Patrons enjoy a lively reception at the Napa Valley Museum featuring small lot wines, JCB Collection bubbles, delicious cuisine and live music. Patrons will be the first to see the World Premiere Exhibition of France is a Feast: The Photographic Journey of Paul and Julia Child. Based on the new book by Alex Prud’homme and Katie Pratt, the exhibit showcases rarely seen black and white photographs taken by Paul Child of his time in France with his wife Julia Child between 1948 and 1954. Author Katie Pratt will be in attendance. This very special exhibit will be featured from November 11 through February 18. For more information, visit www.napavalleymuseum.org.
EVENT DETAILS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Napa Valley Museum | Yountville PASSHOLDER ACCESS Patrons
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SPECIAL EVENTS
A-LIST DINNER PARTY Immediately following the Celebrity Tributes, A-Listers and Movie Moguls enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, breaking bread with this year’s honorees at a glamorous sit-down dinner. Step inside the Barrel Room at nearby Eleven Eleven Winery for a night of pure entertainment. Each table is hosted by one of our Vintner Circle members, personally sharing prized wines paired with exquisite cuisine from Estate Events by Meadowood. After many toasts to celebrate this year’s honorees, dance the night away to The Party Crashers or relax with your friends in the custom Vonsaal Design Build Lounge.
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EVENT DETAILS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Eleven Eleven Winery | Napa PASSHOLDER ACCESS A-Listers, Movie Moguls
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
RISING STAR SHOWCASE Over the years, we’ve introduced our audiences to some amazing new talent via our Rising Stars program as part of the Celebrity Tributes. This year, in partnership with our friends at Materra | Cunat Family Winery, we introduce an exciting new event. The Rising Star Showcase on Saturday afternoon is set at a beautiful winery, truly one of the bright new stars in the Napa Valley constellation. Sip lovely wine and nibble on lite bites while you get to know an array of up-and-coming stars. The Showcase will include an extended interactive conversation with this year’s Rising Stars. For the most up-to-date event details, please visit nvff.org.
EVENT DETAILS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards | Napa PASSHOLDER ACCESS Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $25 for Pass Plus only
RISING STAR
RISING STAR
Gregg Sulkin
Odeya Rush
GREGG SULKIN’s television credits include Pretty Little Liars, Melissa and Joey, and the Emmy Award-winning series Wizards of Waverly Place. His feature film work includes Affluenza, Anti-Social, and Don’t Hang Up. Gregg received the "Rising Star" award at the EuroCinema Hawaii Awards for his starring role in White Frog. He also starred in Another Me which premiered at the 2013 Rome Film Festival. Gregg most recently starred in the series Faking It, for which he was nominated for a Teen Choice Award. He can next be seen starring in Marvel’s Hulu series Runaways.
ODEYA RUSH is an Israeli actress best known for her leading role in Goosebumps. Odeya stars in the NVFF2017 Lounge film Coup D’etat, along with Michael Caine and Katie Holmes. Odeya’s film credits include The Hunter’s Prayer, The Giver, Almost Friends, and The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Odeya can currently be seen in The Bachelors and will next be seen in Lady Bird. She is currently filming Dumplin’ and recently wrapped production on Spinning Man.
RISING STAR
RISING STAR
Alex Wolff
Ana De Armas
ALEX WOLFF gained international recognition from an early age when he co-starred with his older brother Nat in The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie. Last year Alex was selected for the NextGen Rising Star list in The Hollywood Reporter. Alex’s film credits include Patriots Day, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, HairBrained, A Birder’s Guide to Everything, Coming Through the Rye, and The Sitter. Alex upcoming films include My Friend Dahmer, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Dude, and Stella’s Last Weekend. Alex stars in the NVFF2017 Narrative Feature The House of Tomorrow.
Cuban-born actress ANA DE ARMAS made her feature film debut in Una Rosa De Francia for the Cuban Institute of Cinematography. She has since become one of Spain and America’s rising stars. Ana’s previous film credits include Exposed, Knock Knock, Hands of Stone, and War Dogs. Ana can currently be seen in theaters as Joi in Blade Runner 2049. She has also recently completed production on the action movie Overdrive.
RISING STAR
RISING STAR
Austin Stowell
Analeigh Tipton
AUSTIN STOWELL got his Hollywood introduction as 'Jesse' on The Secret Life of The American Teenager. What began as a single episode gig turned into a 17-episode arc, spanning two seasons on the hit ABC Family series. Austin has since appeared in the feature films Bridge of Spies, Whiplash, Colossal, In Dubious Battle, Public Morals, and Dolphin Tale 1 & 2. Stowell can currently be seen in Battle of the Sexes and stars in the upcoming film Horse Soldiers.
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ANALEIGH TIPTON’s first major film appearance was in Crazy, Stupid, Love. The New York Times named her a “face to watch” and Rolling Stone declared her performance a “Star-IsBorn turn.” She has since been seen in such films as Warm Bodies, Damsels in Distress, Two Night Stand, Lucy, 4 Minute Mile, In Dubious Battle, Mississippi Grind, and Viral. Analeigh recently wrapped the independent feature Monumental. Prior to that she shot Little Star, as well as the thriller Compulsion. She can currently be seen in the independent features All Nighter and Golden Exits. NAPAFILMFEST
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SPECIAL EVENTS
VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS Members of our Patron Circle and invited guests enjoy one of the highlights of the festival: our famed Vintner Circle Dinners, twenty-one sumptuous and intimate dinner parties which showcase the elements that make the Napa Valley a premier food and wine destination—with a special cinematic twist. Vintner Circle members pair their world-class wines with the talents of award-winning local chefs to present unforgettable dining adventures, each of which celebrates one or more of our competition films. Guests will enjoy lively conversation with the filmmakers as they share in the ultimate film, food and wine experience. EVENT DETAILS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Multiple Locations
PASSHOLDER ACCESS Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls Interested in hosting a Vintner Circle Dinner in 2018? Please contact vintners@nvff.org
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VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS
Acumen Wines
A Fine Line Dinner
Benchmark Wine Group
Join Acumen Wine for an exceptional dinner with winemaker Henrik Poulson and handcrafted fare by Oenotri Oenotri Chef Tyler Rodde, taking place at Acumen’s new stunning wine gallery in vibrant downtown Napa. Acumen’s elegant, Old Worldmeets-New World wines are paired with Oenotri’s rustic, Southern Italian dishes. Beginning the evening begins with a reception in the tasting room lounge, followed by dinner in the gallery surrounded by Vincent Xeus’ internationally acclaimed paintings, and Acumen’s best Atlas Peak PEAK wines. All within an intimate setting allowing for great conversation.
The poignant message of our documentary selection, A Fine Line, compelled us to create a special dinner. The documentary showcases the struggle faced by female chefs, with only 7% of restaurant owners and top chefs being women. To give respect to all women working diligently in the culinary and wine industries, we collaborated with local favorite, Chef Elaine Bell, and winemakers Sarah Francis and Kate Spadarotto. Dine with the filmmakers and partake in food and wine created by these extraordinarily talented women. This unique dinner will be set in the luxury-chic barn at the private home of Patron Circle member Charles Willson.
Nestled on 28 bucolic acres, Carneros Resort and Spa offers an authentic Napa Valley experience. Known for our world-class cuisine, guests will enjoy a curated tasting menu prepared by Executive Chef Aaron Meneghelli. Highlighted by locally sourced seasonal produce and paired with fine wines from Benchmark Winery, the dinner will be hosted in our stunning Hilltop Dining Room. An elegant space featuring high-ceilings and modern wood beams, the focal point of the Hilltop Dining Room is its floorto-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the rolling vineyards of the Carneros region.
RiverHouse by Bespoke Collection
Caldwell Vineyard
Castellucci Napa Valley
RiverHouse by Bespoke Collection is the destination to experience all things Bespoke. Centrally located in downtown Napa, guests will enjoy Blackbird Vineyards wines paired with an exquisite dinner by Chef Sean Massey of Morimoto Napa, while being surrounded by a curated selection of fine art, antiquities, and objets d’art by ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens. This delectable evening will be one to remember.
John Caldwell’s story is a film-worthy tale: a maverick’s do-anything quest to make great wine. With no other way to get the world's best vines, John turned to smuggling—bringing in hundreds of coveted Bordeaux benchgraft vines in cross-border forays, and eluding the feds by eating receipts and burying vines. He revolutionized viticulture in Napa by (legally) importing ENTAV-INRA clones and today tends the most genetically diverse vineyard in the Valley. He also operates his own in-house barrel cooperage. Join John, Joy Caldwell & winemaker Marbue Marke for dinner in Caldwell’s cave, paired with a head-spinning variety of estate wines & a tall tale or two. As John says, it’s gonna be the tits.
Ever since Maria & Marco Castellucci were young, their father would tell them how he grew up in Italy and how their grandfather, Luigi Castellucci made wine in his basement. Some of the values their parents instilled in them from an early age were that family, cooking, and sharing was important—and wine was always on the table. Join them for an evening of exquisite food from Estate Events by Meadowood paired with their family made wine. You’ll dine at the newly renovated luxury inn: The Ink House, where Elvis filmed his iconic movie Wild in the Country.
Chef Tyler Rodde
Chef Elaine Bell
Chef Sean Massey
At Carneros Resort & Spa
Estate Events by Meadowood
CHARLES KRUG WINERY Chef Tony Spleen Step back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood filled with glitz and glamour at the legendary Charles Krug Estate. This iconic era of film will be the evening’s theme as we transform our historic Redwood Cellar into a swanky supper club circa 1930. An elegant menu—reminiscent of the times, but with a modern edge—will be designed by Tony Spleen of Dry Creek Kitchen Napa Valley. Tony’s cuisine is divine, and he incorporates the freshest and most seasonal ingredients from his own garden into every dish. Each course will be paired with Charles Krug’s award winning wines.
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VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS
Darioush
Davis Estates
Grgich Hills Estate
Darioush is a harmonious blending of traditions- a culture of graciousness and thoughtfulness rooted in the ideals of individualism and craftsmanship. Darioush and his wife Shahpar share the art, architecture, wine and culture that inspired their journey. Enjoy the warmth of Darioush for a memorable evening at the winery estate. Explore the winery after dark, tuck into the intimate Barrel Cellar and enjoy four delightful courses expertly prepared by Napa Valley legend, Chef Sarah Scott. Each inspired course paired with limited release wines, including Darius II, the estate’s crown jewel.
Join us for an unforgettable wine dinner with owners Mike and Sandy Davis. We will welcome you to our renovated 100 year old Historic Barn for a wine reception and vineyard views. Follow Mike and Sandy on a tour of our 11,000 square ft. of caves and an exclusive sneak peek into our Founders Club Room and Library. Conclude with a fabulous wine paired dinner by executive Chef Mark Caldwell on the terrace as you take in the breathtaking views of the Napa Valley.
Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko “Mike” Grgich drew worldwide attention when his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the famous 1976 blind-tasting in Paris. The attraction to Grgich continues to be richly complex and exquisite Chardonnay, sought after by connoisseurs and celebrities as an indicator of prestige and good taste. Mike’s daughter Violet grew up working with her father in the vineyards and hosts this dinner. The Grgich family’s Croatian heritage will be reflected in a beautiful family-style meal created by Firefly Catering, inspired by local ingredients and artisan food.
The Hess Collection
John Anthony Vineyards
Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
The West Gallery of The Hess Art Museum is an unparalleled setting for an extraordinary display of film, food, and wines. As films set the scene, Hess Collection Executive Chef Chad Hendrickson will present a farm-to-table menu featuring a bounty of ingredients from the winery’s culinary gardens. Chef’s culinary creations are developed to complement the unique flavors and textures in each elegant Hess Collection wine. The grapes for these wines are grown in the estate vineyards on Mount Veeder and the Napa Valley floor, and will complete an unforgettable night showcasing art at its finest.
Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. Take in spectacular valley views from the Maison d’Arbre, a private dining venue perched at the highest point of the property. Delight in passed canapes and a delectable three-course Michelin Star dining experience, expertly prepared by Executive Chef Robert Curry, and paired with wines from John Anthony Vineyards. The menu also includes an indulgent dessert created by Executive Pastry Chef, Paul Lemieux. Bon appetit!
Join Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley and Nightbird Restaurant Owner and Chef, Kim Alter, for an incredible collaboration set in Ma(i)sonry's historic gallery and sculpture garden. Dishes inspired by California's diverse culture and natural landscape will be served family style, each course paired with the collection's rarest wines, presented by select vintners. Chef Alter's food is a reflection of living and working in the Bay Area for 20 years and continues to bring new life and artistry to the realm of classic cooking. This will be an unforgettable tribute to the senses—a marriage of beautifully inspired cuisine, wine, and art.
Chef Sarah Scott
Executive Chef Mark Caldwell
Chef Chad Hendrickson
At Auberge du Soleil
Firefly Catering
Chef Kim Alter
RAYMOND VINEYARDS Chef Victor Scargle Raymond Vineyards is a dynamic destination with a mission to ignite its guests’ passions for fine wine in an environment of exploration, creativity, and whimsicality. Embark on a culinary journey conceived by Raymond Vineyards Culinary Director Victor Scargle using herbs and fresh produce from the estate’s biodynamic and organic garden. Begin the evening sipping bubbles and relaxing in velvet-clad opulence in the famous Red Room. Then be seated in the glittering hall of the Crystal Cellar to enjoy a multi-course dinner intricately paired with limited production Raymond Vineyard wines.
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VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards
Paraduxx
Reynolds Family Winery
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards invites you to celebrate their tenth year producing award-winning wines from the estate nestled along the Napa River in the Oak Knoll District. Enjoy the culinary delicacies from renowned Chef Eric Magnini, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Winemakers Mike Trujillo and Bruce Regalia have gone all out in selecting wines for this event. Enjoy all this new winery and tasting room has to offer with our hosts, the Cunat Family. Come share in the dream of what Mother Earth “Materra” is all about. Wines fit for the stars.
Paraduxx winemaker, Don LaBorde, strives to create visionary and stylish blends that capture the essence of the Napa Valley terrior—wines that are inherently ripe, robust and expressive, while impeccably balanced. Paraduxx is a top Sommelier pick in Wine and Spirits Top 50 Wineries in the 28th Annual Restaurant Poll. Join us for a classic wine country evening at Paraduxx in the modern vineyard house—enjoy a four course seasonally inspired dinner prepared by Chef Natalie Niksa, owner of La Saison, to complement these acclaimed Napa Valley wines.
Reynolds Family Winery is a luxury Estate Winery located on the famous Silverado Trail and birthplace of some of Napa Valley's finest small production handcrafted wines. Owner/Winemaker/Dad, Steve Reynolds is proud to share a "rock star" lineup of wines paired with the seasonally inspired fare from world-renowned Chef Elizabeth Binder and former contestant on Top Chef: Seattle. This evening is truly special—Italics Winegrowers will be our host, located high atop the edge of the Coombsville Caldera making for the perfect Napa Valley experience. Italics was the featured winery in the film Decanted, which played NVFF16. Who knows who might show up from the movie to share some other cult wines. Come join us to find out. An evening for the bucket list.
Rombauer Vineyards
Tamber Bey Vineyards
VGS Chateau Potelle Winery
Join Rombauer Vineyards at the hilltop winery for an elegant yet relaxed evening of great food, wine, and company. Begin with a reception in the caves enjoying hors d’oeuvres and wine surrounded by the small oak barrels where wine gracefully ages. An intimate candlelit dinner prepared by Executive Chef Nicolas Montanez of Calistoga Inn will follow in the fermentation cellar at the heart of the winery. The seasonal menu will be paired with a special selection of Rombauer’s classic Napa Valley wines and small-production limited releases.
Dine on a perfectly paired menu by Acacia House, the signature restaurant of Las Alcobas Napa Valley featuring Chef Chris Cosentino. In the heart of St. Helena, Las Alcobas and Acacia House will take you on a culinary journey, featuring ingredients and herbs grown from our garden just steps from the front door. Dinner will offer a paired menu featuring wines by Tamber Bey Vineyards. The evening will conclude with an interactive dessert presentation, signature after-dinner cocktails, and live music in the Barn Lounge.
Let VGS Chateau Potelle and Chef Ken Frank of the Michelin starred La Toque Restaurant transport you for an evening of cinema inspired dishes. From the irreverent satirical French comedy La Grande Bouffe to the Danish classic Babette’s Feast and who could forget Pixar’s loveable Remy from Ratatouille among others. Each film inspired course will be thoughtfully paired with the wines from VGS Chateau Potelle. We promise an evening of great fun, impeccable cuisine, delicious wines, new friends and lasting memories.VGS: Good things Speak for Themselves!
Chef Eric Magnani
Executive Chef Nicolas Montanez
Chef Natalie Niksa
Chef Elizabeth Binder
At Las Alcobas Napa Valley
Chef Ken Frank
MOVIE MOGUL DINNER
MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY
Estate Chef Alejandro Ayala prepares the ultimate dinner party for our Movie Moguls and Celebrity Guests The piece -de-resistance of our combined film, food and wine experiences is the Movie Mogul Dinner at the incomparable Meadowood Napa Valley. Our most generous and passionate supporters break bread with the year’s biggest stars. Master Sommelier Desmond Echavarrie, owner of Scale Wine Group, will present some of Napa Valley’s most sought-after wines to accompany the night’s exquisite menu prepared by James Beard Honoree Chef Alejandro Ayala.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
FRIDAY NIGHT BASH
EVENT DETAILS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM Martin Showroom | St. Helena PASSHOLDER ACCESS Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls After the Vintner Circle Dinners, let the good times and high spirits roll. As she does each year, uber-designer Erin Martin hosts the decadent Friday Night Bash at her high-style eponymous showroom. This VIP party is over the top and outrageous—in all the best ways. Enjoy wine, Stella Artois, craft cocktails, late-nite nibbles and a host of live entertainment and surprises. Speakeasy-style Patron Circle Lounge across the street at The Saint, a glorious new wine lounge on St. Helena’s historic Main Street.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
AWARDS CEREMONY Our high-energy Awards Ceremony takes place Saturday evening, immediately prior to the biggest blowout party of the year: the Festival Gala. Join in the excitement and anticipation as we reveal the winners of our Juried and Audience Awards. Each winner is presented with a large format collectible bottle of fabulous wine from one of our generous Vintner Circle members. The winners of the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature (as selected by our prestigious juries of industry experts) each receive a $10,000 check courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley. AUDIENCE AWARDS
JURIED AWARDS
• Favorite Documentary Short
• Best Narrative Short
• Favorite Narrative Short
• Best Documentary Short
• Favorite Short Feature
• Best Lounge Short
• Favorite Documentary Feature
• Best Lounge Feature
• Favorite Narrative Feature
• Best Ensemble Cast
• Favorite Actress
• Best Screenwriting
• Favorite Actor
• Best Narrative Feature • Best Documentary Feature • Special Jury Prizes
EVENT DETAILS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM Uptown Theatre | Napa
PASSHOLDER ACCESS Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls
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SPECIAL EVENTS
FESTIVAL GALA NAPA VALLEY’S ULTIMATE FILM, FOOD AND WINE PARTY OF THE YEAR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM The CIA at Copia | Napa
PASSHOLDER ACCESS Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls INDIVIDUAL TICKETS $200 per person $350 for two $600 for four NVFF celebrates seven fabulous seasons by throwing the most glamorous party of the year! Start the festival evening at the Awards Ceremony as we announce the winners of this year’s Juried and Audience Awards. Then expect the unexpected at the Festival Gala. Grace the red carpet in your most chic attire; meet filmmakers, celebrities and old and new friends; explore Napa Valley's finest restaurants and acclaimed wineries; discover craft spirits, custom mixed cocktails and Stella Artois. Patron Circle members enjoy an elevated experience in the elegant, plush and private Patron Circle Lounge. And everyone comes together to groove to a variety of live musical acts and surprise entertainment. Dance the night away for an unforgettable evening of glitz blended with the relaxed, chic style of the Napa Valley.
FEATURED WINERIES Acumen Wines Caldwell Vineyard Castellucci Napa Valley Charles Krug Winery Darioush Davis Estates Grgich Hills Estate Italics Winegrowers John Anthony Vineyards Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards
FEATURED CULINARY PARTNERS
FEATURED SPIRITS/BEVERAGE
RiverHouse by Bespoke Collection
Anette’s Chocolates
The French Corner
Prohibition Spirits
Effen
Rombauer Vineyards
Atelier Fine Foods
Essentia Water
Knob Creek
Basalt
T he Restaurant at Copia
Bowmore
Hornitos
Maker’s Mark
Cruzan
Toki
Stella Artois
Tamber Bey Vineyards The Hess Collection VGS Chateau Potelle Winery JCB Collection
Ca’ Momi Hurley’s Model Bakery Norman Rose Tavern Sweetie Pies
Acacia House Morimoto Kara’s Cupcakes Mariposa Ice Creamery
Sipsmith Courvoisier
Stewart Cellars Gibbs Napa Valley Pope Valley Winery Wagner Family of Wine Flora Springs
Duckhorn Portfolio
Broman Cellars
Raymond Vineyards
Peju
Reynolds Family Winery
Rippey Family Vineyards
FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT
FEATURED EVENT PARTNERS
Jealous Zelig
DJ Upcut
Lexus
Timber Cove Resort
The Family Funktion
Mad Bad Racket
HP
SommSelect.com
The Delectables
And other surprise performances
DoNapa
Vonsaal Design Build
Melody Raye Flowers
The CIA at Copia
High Noon
Stölzle Lausitz = Featured in the Patron Circle Lounge
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SPECIAL EVENTS
CLOSING NIGHT WRAP PARTY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards | Napa PASSHOLDER ACCESS Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls This year’s Wrap Party celebrates the closing of another epic Napa Valley Film Festival. Join filmmakers and fellow festival-goers at the ultra-hip Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards where festival stories will be shared, secrets will be revealed and final festival memories will be made… until next year when we do it all over again. Enjoy incredible wine, an array of small bites, and live music and dancing on the crush pad. Members of our Patron Circle close out the week in style, relaxing in the Cartier Lounge sipping on some of Materra’s hidden stash of reserve wines. See you in 2018!
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SPECIAL PROFILE
Richard Von Saal
Vonsaal Design Build
One of the more creative and talented minds in the Napa Valley, Richard Von Saal has watched the region grow into what it is today, and has an excited outlook on its future. Born in Vallejo and raised in Napa, Richard has been here from the Bottle Shock era of the 70’s to the booming rise in 5-star culinary and hospitality destinations across the valley. He has played a role in the younger culture shift in Napa, with his interior design work at the popular Oxbow Marketplace and other commercial projects in downtown Napa. He has also been a loyal partner to the Napa Valley Film Festival since the very beginning. “With the cultivation of music and film, I was so impressed with the film festival and the idea of the film festival. I had been with you guys since day one. And when they started to
explain the film festival, and what it was going to create, I fell in love with the idea of taking Napa from just food and wine and hospitality and actually creating this culture. We have a culture! It’s like Beverly Hills without the hills. We have this culture of celebrity hospitality people. And with that circumstance, you start creating environments.” That’s what Vonsaal Design Build is all about. Creating environments that make you feel something. And when you combine the culture of celebrity winemakers, chefs, and hospitality with a little bit of Hollywood, you can start to see the big picture. “You drink wine, while you do what? You listen to music, you put on a good record. Music and wine. And then you go into food, and you pair wine with food. And next thing you know, we’re
running with chefs and we’re running with art and diversity. And then the film comes in, then you pair it with that. And I thought that was the coolest idea. Watching it grow for over 7 years, how it has brought a multitude of diversity into our valley, helping create the metropolis that’s happening in downtown Napa. Helping inspire it. I think all of our events have slowly trickled into this metropolitan community we’re discovering in town.” Richard’s connection to film stems from his fascination of the early Bond film set designs— specifically The Man With The Golden Gun, Doctor No, and Goldfinger. “There haven’t been too many films, besides Bond films, that have such wonderful and accentuated design style. You look at some of these set designs—Ken Adams, he’s an amazing set designer, and I started studying his work as a kid. Literally, as a ten year-old kid, looking at these James Bond films and how they are made. All of the textiles, the odd circumstances to a room. It would be part lavish, furline, and leathered modern furniture and this beautiful bed and he gets into this bed and all of the sudden it turns into a torture chamber. That stuff just blew my mind.” As a designer, Richard is both a director and a cinematographer. His work on the NVFF Festival Gala over the years has added the same Bond-esque exotic flavor and allure to the event—minus the torture chamber, of course. “You have to see the space and evaluate the space, and you have to direct where everything goes in that space. There’s more than just me on these projects. I have to make sure everyone is on the same song and dance of the circumstance I’m trying to create.” But there is no ego involved. “My designs don’t have to say RICHARD VON SAAL. They have to be like ‘Oh my god, that’s amazing, I want to go in there. I want to feel it, I want to be a part of that...holy shit’.” Written or not, the Von Saal name is shaking up the design world and the Napa Valley with it. Richard’s voice and style carries meaning, with the inspiration of a man who has spent his life discovering and rediscovering passions within the arts and the world around him. “The passion for things and the way they affect the world has always fascinated me. And I just want to always spend my life creating.” From his inspiring words to his brilliantly creative mind, we at the Napa Valley Film Festival salute and thank Richard for who he is and what he means to our festival.
“The passion for things and the way they affect the world has always fascinated me. And I just want to always spend my life creating."
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ON SCREEN
Programmers' Note Festival Jury
2017 NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
Programmers' Note
We are proud to be sharing a stunning collection of films sure to inspire, educate, entertain, and enchant NVFF’s beloved audiences. Year after year, we make a concerted effort to present stories that touch on diverse topics, as well as characters (fictional and not) with the power to transport us into their unique realities which are often quite different from our own. This year’s program boasts over 100 new independent films, and—when coupled with Red Carpet screenings with awards aspirations—nearly 120 in all. We were amazed to find that many of our selections have inspiring ties to the Napa Valley and San Francisco Bay Area, with topics ranging from the culinary arts, to the environment, to social justice. As always, we are generally looking for three things: films with a sense of hopefulness and aspiration, films that focus on the power of the individual to overcome obstacles, and films that plumb the intricacies of relationships. We are especially intrigued by storytellers who are in complete command of their vision and craft, from start to finish. They construct the idea, they write the script, they pull in collaborative partners and direct their film. This notion of the auteur resonates here in Napa Valley where vintners oversee everything from planting, tending, and harvesting the vines all the way to blending and bottling the finished wines. In that same vein, we have chefowners who famously - and with great success—control every aspect from restaurant design to sourcing local ingredients, to overseeing their kitchens and the menu as well as the dining experience each evening. All are telling stories in different art-forms, but with the common connection of a singular vision and expertise that inspires collaborators and delights their respective audiences. We are delighted to present the films at screening venues that reflect the character of the Valley (see pages 16 - 17). The distinctive Artistsin-Residence program is back in full force at the brilliant Meadowood Napa Valley. The program connects the directors of 18 narrative and documentary feature films as they vie for twin $10,000 cash prizes. Amidst bonding and sharing tricks of the trade, the filmmakers also take part in an invigorating and educational curriculum led by our astute Festival Faculty. The Awards Ceremony is Saturday evening at Napa’s Uptown Theatre, walking distance to the Festival Gala, our grand celebration of all of our incredible films, culinary partners, and vintners. On Sunday, be sure catch some of the award-winning films and performances you might have missed. We are excited to introduce you to these fantastic films and the talented filmmakers who brought their stories to the screen. See you at the movies!
Marc Lhormer EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Whitney Haskin
Amy Brown
PROGRAM MANAGER
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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View the AWARDS CEREMONY on PAGE 36.
FESTIVAL JURY
NARRATIVE FEATURES Nancy Collet's experience spans over twenty years. With her extensive knowledge of working with studios and film festivals, she founded Cinema Collet which offers strategic consulting services to conferences, festivals, educators, distributors, and independent filmmakers around the world.
IN SEARCH FOR THE NEXT VISIONARY
Each year a set of experienced filmmakers, cultural tastemakers, writers and industry executives serve as jurors deciding award-winners in a variety of categories. A wide array of both Juried and Audience Awards are presented at Saturday evening’s festive Awards Ceremony, followed immediately by the blowout Festival Gala, celebrating both the award winners and all of this year’s filmmakers.
Sasha Stone has been writing about film and the entertainment industry for twenty years through her website AwardsDaily.com, and with work published in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Women’s Media Center. Her writing covers the Oscars, diversity in the industry, and politics. David Hinojosa is a producer at Killer Films. He developed Still Alice and Carol and produced Beatriz at Dinner, First Reformed, and Weiner Dog. David has upcoming work from Alex Ross Perry, Julie Taymor, James Franco, Brady Corbet, Todd Haynes, and Todd Solondz.
A PEEK INTO THE PROCESS Judges deliberate on Saturday morning and winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony Saturday evening. (SEE P. 36)
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FESTIVAL JURY
DOCUMENTRY FEATURES
THE LOUNGE
Freida Lee Mock is an Academy Awardwinning documentary filmmaker. She was the first governor elected to the new Documentary Branch of the Academy, and also served as chair as well as co-chair of the DGA screening and nominating committee.
Peter Baxter is a filmmaker and President/ co-founder of Slamdance. Baxter's new documentary Spirit Game, described by Sports Illustrated as "a powerful story of identity, sovereignty and spirituality", premiers on Starz in December.
Brent Emery has worked extensively as an independent film finance, sales, and production specialist. During his seven years at Maverick Films, Brent oversaw development of a slate of over fifty studio and independent film and television projects.
Richard Keith is a writer, producer, and director whose short Grow Up Already screened at the 2011 NVFF. He co-created and executive produces the CW series Life Sentence starring Lucy Hale. In addition, he co-created CW's Significant Mother.
Sophie Constantinou is co-founder of Citizen Film creating films for over 25 years. Her cinematography credits include documentaries for PBS and HBO, including Maquilopolis, Unchained Memories, The Royal Road, and Regarding Susan Sontag.
Kim Rocco Shields is an award-winning filmmaker known for the feature Love Is All You Need? that played at NVFF16. Rocco has over 15 years of experience, from script supervisor for J.J. Abrams and Gore Verbinski, to CEO of her own production company, Genius Pictures.
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
NARRATIVE SHORTS
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Madeline Zima was born in New Haven, Connecticut but raised in Los Angeles. She has been acting pretty much all of her life, including the lead role in I Am Watching You, which played NVFF16. Other recent work includes the television shows Californication and David Lynch's reboot of Twin Peaks.
Dierk Sindermann has been a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for 30 years. Dierk interviews directors and actors and writes reviews for 10 publications in Europe.
Gabrielle Carteris is an actress and activist who has served as SAG-AFTRA president since 2016. Carteris became a global star playing Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills, 90210 and has appeared in dozens of film and television productions including Code Black, Longmire and The Middle.
Jonathan Robinson is a producer-writerdirector who creates documentaries and branded content for television, the web, and signature events. Jonathan’s company, Build Pictures, is based in Napa.
Jon Swartz is an award-winning technology reporter for USA TODAY and a Pulitzer Prize nominee. A high-tech journalist since 1987, Jon has written for Forbes, The (London) Independent, London Times, San Francisco Chronicle and New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Gren Wells, as a writer, has sold more than 20 film and TV projects. Based off of her directorial debut, The Road Within, which played at NVFF14, Variety chose her as one of its 10 Directors to Watch for 2014.
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AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS The Shape of Water Crown Heights The Upside The Current War I, Tonya The Leisure Seeker Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Call Me By Your Name 78/52 LA 92 Chappaquiddick Molly's Game
AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Fox Searchlight
The Shape of Water From master storyteller Guillermo del Toro comes The Shape of Water, an otherworldly fairy tale set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment. Rounding out the stellar cast are Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones and Michael Stuhlbarg.
DIRECTORS Guillermo del Toro PRODUCERS J. Miles Dale, Guillermo del Toro SCREENWRITERS Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor GUILLERMO del TORO began his career as a special effects makeup artist before gaining worldwide recognition for his feature film Ronos. Guillermo earned international acclaim as the director, writer and producer of Pan’s Labyrinth. He was honored with an Oscar nomination for his original screenplay for the film, which won Academy Awards® for Art Direction, Cinematography, and Makeup.
KEY CAST Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg
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THU, NOV 9 1:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, ST. HELENA
AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
We are proud to be showcasing The Shape of Water as our official Sneak Preview Night Screening. Please note that the first screening at 5:30pm on Tuesday evening is exclusively for members of our Patron Circle. The second screening at 8:30pm is open for all other passholders and rush tickets.
RUN TIME 123 min
This program generously supported by Robin & John Dunbar
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Crown Heights Crown Heights is based on the true story of 18-year-old Colin Warner (Lakeith Stanfield) who is sentenced to life in prison after being wrongfully convicted of shooting a Brooklyn teenager in the spring of 1980. With limited resources, Colin’s childhood friend Carl “KC” King (Nnamdi Asomugha) begins working on Colin’s exoneration, sacrificing his personal life to learn the court system. As Carl works on appeals, takes loans for lawyer fees and becomes a legal courier, Colin figures out how to adjust to and survive in the prison system.
RUN TIME 94 min DIRECTOR Matt Ruskin PRODUCERS Nnamdi Asomugha, Natalie Galazka, Matt Ruskin, Joshua Blum, Matt Thurm SCREENWRITERS Matt Ruskin MATT RUSKIN is a writer/director/ producer. Matt has produced a range of documentary and narrative films, including The Hip Hop Project (released by THINK Film) and his first narrative feature, Booster, which received one of the Special Jury Prizes at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival.
KEY CAST Luke Forbes, Lakeith Stanfield, Adriane Lenox, Nnamdi Asomugha, Natalie Paul
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WED, NOV 8
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1:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
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This program generously supported by Christina & Robert Jennings
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
The Upside Based on a true story, The Upside chronicles the unexpected friendship between Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston), a Park Avenue billionaire left paralyzed after a hang-gliding accident, and ex-con Dell Scott (Kevin Hart), in need of a job and a fresh start. From worlds apart, Phillip and Dell form an unlikely bond, bridging their differences and gaining invaluable wisdom in the process, giving each man a renewed sense of passion for all of life’s possibilities. Directed by Neil Burger (The Illusionist, Limitless) and written by Jon Hartmere, The Upside also stars Academy Award® winner Nicole Kidman.
RUN TIME 118 min DIRECTOR Neil Burger PRODUCERS Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch SCREENWRITERS Paul Feig, Jon Hartmere, Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano NEIL BURGER most recently directed the box office hits Divergent and Limitless. Previously, Neil wrote and directed the critically acclaimed The Illusionist. He made his directorial feature debut with Interview with the Assassin, winning the Best Feature Film category at the Woodstock Film Festival and Avignon Film Festival, and receiving nominations for three Independent Spirit Awards.
KEY CAST Nicole Kidman, Bryan Cranston, Golshifteh Farahani, Julianna Margulies, Kevin Hart
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WED, NOV 8 5:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 8:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
This program is generously supported by Irene & Ed Ojdana
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of The Weinstein Company
The Current War
AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse, The Current War is the epic story of the cutthroat competition between the greatest inventors of the industrial age over whose electrical system would power the new century. Backed by J.P. Morgan, Edison dazzles the world by lighting Manhattan. But Westinghouse, aided by Nikola Tesla, has seen fatal flaws in Edison’s direct current design. Igniting a war of currents, Westinghouse and Tesla bet everything on risky and dangerous alternating current. The Current War also stars Katherine Waterston, Nicholas Hoult, Tom Holland, Matthew Macfadyen, and Tuppence Middleton.
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RUN TIME 105 min DIRECTOR Alfonso Gomez-Rejon PRODUCERS Timur Bekmambetov, Basil Iwanyk, Harvey Weinstein SCREENWRITER Michael Mitnick
ALFONSO GOMEZ-REJON garnered two Emmy® nominations for his work as director and co-executive producer on American Horror Story: Coven. He had previously directed episodes on American Horror Story’s first four seasons, in addition to the first four seasons of Glee. His feature Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, was the 2015 Sundance Film Festival winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award.
KEY CAST Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Tom Holland, Katherine Waterston, Tuppence Middleton
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WED, NOV 8 10:00 AM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
SUN, NOV 12 8:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Michele & David Glasser
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Neon
I, Tonya
American figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) rises through the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships; but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes. Craig Gillespie’s thrilling new film is the story of Harding’s involvement in a vicious attack on her rival skater, teammate Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver) just before the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. The stellar ensemble cast includes Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Paul Walter Hauser, Julianne Nicholson, Caitlin Carver, Bojana Novakovic and Bobby Cannavale.
RUN TIME 119 min DIRECTOR Craig Gillespie PRODUCERS Tom Ackerley, Margot Robbie, Steven Rogers, Bryan Unkeless SCREENWRITER Steven Rogers CRAIG GILLESPIE is a feature film, TV, and commercial director. Craig made his foray into feature film directing with the critically acclaimed Lars and the Real Girl. He has since directed such films as The Finest Hours, Million Dollar Arm, and Fright Night. Gillespie also served as producer and director of the Showtime series, The United States of Tara.
KEY CAST Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Caitlin Carver
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FRI, NOV 10 5:00 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
This program generously supported by Jennifer Carrico & Chris Kelly
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
The Leisure Seeker The Leisure Seeker stars Academy Award®-winner Helen Mirren and two-time Golden Globe®-winner Donald Sutherland as the runaway couple, Ella and John, on an unforgettable journey in the faithful old RV they call the Leisure Seeker. Faced with more caregiving than they care to accept, Ella and John resolve to enjoy the freedom of one last RV road trip on their own, old age and its challenges be damned. The couple travels from Boston to The Ernest Hemingway Home in Key West, recapturing their passion for life and their love for each other on a road trip that provides revelations and surprises right up to the very end. PAOLO VIRZÍ made his directorial debut with La Bella Vita which earned him the prestigious David di Donatello award in the “Best New Director” category. His following film, Ferie d'Agosto won the David di Donatello Award for “Best Film” of the year. His films La Prima Cosa Bella and Human Capital were both selected as Italy’s Official Academy Award® Entry for Best Foreign Language Film. RUN TIME 112 min DIRECTOR Paolo Virzì PRODUCERS Fabrizio Donvito, Marco Cohen, Benedetto Habib SCREENWRITERS Stephen Amidon, Francesca Archibugi, Francesco Piccolo, Paolo Virzì
AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
KEY CAST Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland, Christian McKay, Janel Moloney, Dick Gregory, Dana Ivey
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S H OW T I M ES
AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool
Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool follows the playful but passionate relationship between aspiring actor Turner (Jamie Bell) and the eccentric Academy Award®-winning actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening), covering a colorful period spanning from 1978 to 1980 in both Liverpool and Los Angeles. What starts as a standard-issue affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover quickly grows into a deeper nuanced relationship, with Turner being the person Gloria turns to for comfort. Their passion and lust for life is tested to the limits by events beyond their control. PAUL McGUIGAN's extensive body of work includes The Acid House, Gangster No. 1, Lucky Number Slevin, The Reckoning, Wicker Park, and Victor Frankenstein. He has also had much success as the director of a number of television programs, including the critically acclaimed Sherlock series which earned him a BAFTA and Emmy® nomination. RUN TIME 106 min DIRECTOR Paul McGuigan PRODUCERS Barbara Broccoli, Colin Vaines SCREENWRITERS Matt Greenhalgh, Peter Turner KEY CAST Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Vanessa Redgrave, Julie Walters
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SAT, NOV 11 9:45 AM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 1:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA NVFF.ORG
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Call Me By Your Name It’s the summer of 1983 in the north of Italy, and Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a precocious 17-yearold American-Italian boy, spends his days in his family’s 17th century villa transcribing and playing classical music, reading, and flirting with his friend Marzia (Esther Garrel). One day, Oliver (Armie Hammer), a charming American scholar working on his doctorate, arrives as the annual summer intern tasked with helping Elio’s father, Professor Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg), an expert on antiquities. Amid the sun-drenched splendor of the setting, Elio and Oliver discover the heady beauty of awakening desire over the course of a summer that will alter their lives forever.
RUN TIME 132 min DIRECTOR Luca Guadagnino PRODUCERS Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges, Rodrigo Teixeira, Marco Morabito, James Ivory, Howard Rosenman
LUCA GUADAGNINO is an award-winning director, screenwriter, producer, and artistic entrepreneur. In 2010, he came into international renown for his critically-acclaimed film I Am Love, starring frequent collaborator Tilda Swinton, which garnered an Academy Award® nomination in Best Achievement in Costume Design as well as Golden Globe® and BAFTA award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film.
SCREENWRITERS James Ivory, André Aciman KEY CAST Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar
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THU, NOV 9 9:45 AM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 5:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
This program generously supported by Jennifer King & Timothy Fredel, Rugged Elegance Foundation
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of IFC
78/52
78/52 presents audiences with a calculated and pensive analysis of the on-screen murder that shook the cinematic world and forever changed the tactics used in narrative storytelling. Director Alexandre O. Philippe’s enhanced look at the iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho delves deep into the history of the American cinematic experience and incorporates the thoughts and musings of various cinephiles and masters of suspense such as Elijah Wood, Guillermo del Toro, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
RUN TIME 91 min DIRECTOR Alexandre O. Philippe PRODUCERS Robert Muratore, Kerry Deignan Roy
ALEXANDRE O. PHILIPPE holds a Master's Degree in Dramatic Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is creative director of Cinema Vertige and Exhibit A Pictures. He has written, directed, and produced numerous award-winning films and documentaries.
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Thursday and Saturday screenings of 78/52, followed by in-depth discussions with the filmmaker and special guests. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
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THU, NOV 9 8:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
8:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
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This program generously supported by Commissioner Mae C. Woo / Chris Woo
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of National Geographic
LA 92
LA 92 takes its audience on a riveting and comprehensive tour of the events that led up to the 1992 uprising in Los Angeles following the Rodney King beating by the police. Told only through archival news footage from that time period and even earlier going back to the Watts Riots of 1965, LA 92 provides the needed background on the ever continuing racial tensions and police relations in Los Angeles that led up to the events of 1992. This powerful new film from Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin is a conversation catalyst for contemporary America. It begs the question: after some 25 years have passed, have we progressed as a nation and society? Or are we still struggling with the same insurmountable conflicts that have plagued us for decades, if not centuries?
RUN TIME 114 min DIRECTORS Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin PRODUCERS Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Sarah Gibson
Oscar®-winning filmmakers DAN LINDSAY and TJ MARTIN are both busy working filmmakers based in Los Angeles. The dynamic duo are returning to Napa Valley with their new film LA 92. Their film Undefeated played NVFF2011 and went on to win the Academy Award® for Best Documentary.
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Saturday screening of LA 92, followed by an in-depth discussion with the filmmakers and special guests. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
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WED, NOV 8 10:00 AM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 8:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
This program generously supported by Susan & David Gill
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of Entertainment Studios
Chappaquiddick Chappaquiddick recounts the tragic events of the 1969 fatal car accident involving U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and a young, female campaign worker who died at the scene. What happens over the ensuing ten hours before Kennedy actually reports the incident to the authorities reveals how one of the most powerful and influential political family dynasties in U.S. history orchestrated the facts and the real reason for the death of the campaign worker. Their efforts to control the story in the press, run damage control, and preserve the family’s legacy is an extraordinary story of the powerful and the untouchable.
RUN TIME 107 min DIRECTOR John Curran PRODUCERS Mark Ciardi, Chris Cowles, Chris Fenton, Campbell G. McInnes SCREENWRITERS Taylor Allen, Andrew Logan JOHN CURRAN John Curran was born in Utica, New York, and attended Syracuse University. He made his feature directorial debut with Praise, which won the FIPRESCI Award. His films include We Don't Live Here Anymore, The Painted Veil, Stone, and Tracks. Chappaquiddick is his latest feature.
KEY CAST Kate Mara, Ed Helms, Jason Clarke, Bruce Dern, Jim Gaffigan
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SUN, NOV 12
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1:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
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This program generously supported by Carla Buffington
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AWARDS SEASON Courtesy of STX
Molly's Game Molly’s Game is based on the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer, Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.
RUN TIME 140 min DIRECTOR Aaron Sorkin PRODUCERS Mark Gordon, Matt Jackson, Amy Pascal SCREENWRITERS Molly Bloom, Aaron Sorkin AARON SORKIN is an Academy Award®-winning film writer, Emmy Award-winning television writer, and renowned playwright. His feature film credits include A Few Good Men, Malice, The American President, Charlie Wilson's War, The Social Network, Moneyball, and Steve Jobs. For television, Sorkin created and produced The West Wing, which won a total of 26 Emmy Awards, and The Newsroom.
KEY CAST Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Chris O'Dowd, Joe Keery
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SUN, NOV 12 5:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
AWARDS SEASON SCREENINGS
This program generously supported by Leslie & Keith Blodgett
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SPECIAL PROFILE
Mike Davis
Davis Estates
At the forefront of technology and modern rustic chic, Davis Estates is establishing itself as a winery with elegance, vision, and of course, fantastic wine. What started off as Mike and Sandy Davis’ dream is now a 155-acre property featuring wine caves, a historic barn, a hospitality center, and vineyards in Calistoga, Rutherford, Carneros, and Howell Mountain. While on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Calistoga property, we asked Mike Davis to tell us the story behind the Howard Backen designed winery. “The original barn you see here was built in 1916,” said Mike. “When we purchased the property, we picked it up and moved it 150 feet. We put in a new foundation, filleted the walls off, and then attached it to a new steel
frame. We use this 101-year-old barn for tastings, private events, and parties.” Once inside this historic barn, visitors fall in love with a variety of collectors’ items and innovative furnishings. There is a large wooden table made from 33 American Oak barrels, two beautifully restored tractors (one from 1939 and the other from 1944), and a 1909 Wing and Son player piano. On the opposite side of the property sits a replica of this barn. Davis Estates uses that footprint for its offices and wine lab. Originally from San Mateo, Mike Davis went to school in Indiana, where he fell in love with history, rural architecture, and the importance of family values. When he and Sandy decided to bring their vision of Davis Estates to life, he knew he wanted to create a legacy for his
family and a place where people could feel at home while experiencing the beauty of Napa Valley. “From wine and food pairings put together by our Executive Chef, Mark Caldwell, to tastings on the terrace, the hospitality center feels like an upscale lodge. Guests come here to enjoy a commercial kitchen, a large fireplace, and a terrace with fantastic porch swings and a panoramic view of the valley. It’s cozy, upscale, and unique at the same time.” Although Mike wanted to capture old school winemaking, his background in technology sparked his decision to create a tech-savvy winery equipped with a Gen II system. “Our Gen II system allows each tank to be accessed by a smartphone or computer. It also gives us the ability to schedule pump overs,” explained Mike. “In addition to this high-tech equipment, we’re also Napa Green Certified. The 50-ft antique windmill on the property has the power to pump water, which is then stored and used for vineyard irrigation. The windmill has not only become a Napa Valley landmark, but it is also the symbol for the Davis Estates label.” With the ability to host 20 guests a day, Davis Estate has become one of Napa Valley’s exclusive hidden gems. From its brilliant wine to its intersection with old and new technology, it is hard to believe that the winery only recently celebrated its one-year anniversary — which happened in May. “There is a Chinese hand-dug well from the 1800s that was the original water source on this property. We decided to restore it by putting a stainless steel cauldron in the bottom to make it a wishing well. As people throw money in it all year, it has become a double entendre in the sense that this winery is my dream and my family’s dream come true, but then we pull up the cauldron and give all the money to Make-a-Wish and make someone else’s dream come true.” To say the least, Davis Estates is quickly building a legacy for itself. We cannot wait to see what is in store for the winery in the future.
“From wine and food pairings put together by our Executive Chef, Mark Caldwell, to tastings on the terrace, the hospitality center feels like an upscale lodge.”
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CELEB R ATIN G 10 Y EARS
from the CUNAT FAMILY
We invite you to visit our vineyard and winery in the Oak Knoll District, a diverse winegrowing appellation of Napa Valley. From these unique soils, matched with our talented winemakers, we have created truly noteworthy vintages. We look forward to sharing with you the results of our passion for farming and our focus on making flavorful wines.
NARRATIVE FEATURES FEATURES American Folk The Boy Downstairs The House of Tomorrow I Can I Will I Did People You May Know The Sounding Stuck Tater Tot & Patton The Year of Spectacular Men
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American Folk When a plane from Los Angeles to New York is grounded on the morning of September 11, Elliott (Joe Purdy) and Joni (Amber Rubarth) are unexpectedly thrust together amidst the chaos of that historic day. With little in common but both needing urgently to get back to NYC, the strangers accept help from a friend who lends the duo a rusty old 1972 Chevy Van. The shock and stress of 9/11 quickly threatens to derail their cross country journey. Thankfully, the mismatched pair discover that they do have something in common: a love for old folk songs. Armed with a pile of guitars left in the van, Elliott and Joni raise their voices, rediscovering the healing nature of music and bearing witness to a nation of people who, even while mourning, manage to lift each other up in the wake of tragedy.
RUN TIME 99 min DIRECTOR David Heinz PRODUCERS Matt Miller, Fiona Walsh SCREENWRITER David Heinz KEY CAST Joe Purdy, Amber Rubarth, Krisha Fairchild, Bruce Beatty, Elizabeth Dennehy DAVID HEINZ has been working in cutting rooms on both independent and studio pictures for the past decade. He has provided editing for Adult World and This Means War, as well as several other recent independent features. He also contributed as the visual effects editor to The Jungle Book, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, and Live Free Or Die Hard. American Folk marks his feature directorial debut.
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 5:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 9:45 AM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 10:00 AM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA NARRATIVE FEATURES
This program generously supported by Carolina & Barry Gustin
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The Boy Downstairs After returning home from an extended stay abroad, Diana (Zosia Mamet) searches for a new apartment in New York. With the help of her best friend and a determined real estate agent, she comes into an arrangement with a free-spirited widow who owns and lives in her own new apartment building. As Diana moves her belongings into the humble brownstone, she crosses paths with her ex-boyfriend, Ben (Matthew Shear). Conversation soon reveals that he lives in the downstairs apartment with his new girlfriend. Rattled, Diana attempts to settle into a new routine stateside, landing a day job at a bridal boutique and spending her evenings nursing a struggling writing career. Yet she can’t shake persistent feelings of regret surrounding her coincidental new neighbor: The Boy Downstairs.
RUN TIME 91 min DIRECTOR Sophie Brooks PRODUCERS Dan Clifton, David Brooks SCREENWRITERS Sophie Brooks KEY CAST Zosia Mamet, Matthew Shear, Deirdre O'Connell, Sarah Ramos, Diana Irvine SOPHIE BROOKS is a young filmmaker living in Los Angeles. She graduated with a BFA in Film and TV from NYU Tisch. Her short film Maple Leaves premiered at The Palm Spring International Short Film Festival in 2014. The Boy Downstairs is her first feature film.
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WED, NOV 8 8:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
FRI, NOV 10 9:45 AM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
SUN, NOV 12 NARRATIVE FEATURES
8:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
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This program generously supported by Hedy & Jeff Nochimson
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The House of Tomorrow Sixteen year-old Sebastian (Asa Butterfield) has spent most of his life living with his Nana (Ellen Burstyn) in their geodesic dome and tourist attraction. She homeschools him within their secluded residence, focusing his studies on the teachings of renowned futurist Buckminster Fuller in hopes that one day Sebastian will carry on Fuller’s dogmas and change the world. When a sudden stroke debilitates Nana, Sebastian begins sneaking around with Jared (Alex Wolff), a punkobsessed teenager who has had a heart transplant and wants to start a band. With his Nana’s aspirations for him, his first real friendship, and a church talent show at stake, Sebastian must decide if he wants to become the next Buckminster Fuller, the next Sid Vicious, or something else entirely.
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTORS Peter Livolsi PRODUCERS Tarik Karam, Danielle Renfrew Behrens SCREENWRITERS Peter Livolsi, Peter Bognanni PETER LIVOLSI is a Sundance Institute alum, Sloan Grantee, and graduate of the American Film Institute, where his thesis project Duncan Removed won a Student Emmy®. His latest short Leonard in Slow Motion played festivals worldwide, including NVFF, and received praise from The Onion, A.V. Club, Vice, Short of the Week, and Vimeo Staff Picks. The House of Tomorrow is his feature debut.
KEY CAST Ellen Burstyn, Nick Offerman, Asa Butterfield, Alex Wolff, Maude Apatow, Michaela Watkins
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WED, NOV 8 8:30 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 1:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 5:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE NARRATIVE FEATURES
This program generously supported by Sonya & Richard Garber
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I Can I Will I Did Ben, a depressed young man caught in the foster system, is relentlessly bullied by a group of students at school. Eventually, the harassment gets out of hand and the bullying results in a tragic accident that puts Ben in a hospital bed, seemingly paralyzed. His recovery process is slow until he meets Adrienne, a fellow patient bound to a wheelchair, yet perpetually perky. Adrienne works with him at the hospital, on both physical and emotional levels, bringing hope into his life and eventually introducing him to her grandfather, Taekwondo Grand Master Kang. Kang not only teaches Ben how to walk and get back up on his feet, but also how to take charge of his own life and ultimately to face his inner demons.
RUN TIME 110 min DIRECTOR Nadine Truong PRODUCER Brian Yang, Artisha Mann-Cooper SCREENWRITERS Nadine Truong
German-born Vietnamese filmmaker NADINE TRUONG earned her MFA degree in Directing from the American Film Institute. She became a fellow with the Los Angeles Asian American Pacific Film Festival, received the San Diego International Asian Film Festival’s prestigious George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award, and was the recipient of the Mary Pickford Scholarship for Excellence in Directing.
KEY CAST Mike Faist, Ik Jo Kang, Selenis Leyva, Ellie Lee, Ryan-James Hatanaka
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THU, NOV 9 8:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 8:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 NARRATIVE FEATURES
4:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
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This program generously supported by John Heflebower / Stephanie Block
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People You May Know Jed (Nick Thune) has somehow lasted deep into his thirties without venturing into the world of social media. A selfestablished introvert and talented photo editor, Jed’s absence from the digital networking landscape has left him socially marooned. That is, until he discovers that he can use his wizardlike Photoshop mastery to present his life in any way imaginable. When digital marketing manager Tasha (Halston Sage) sees an opportunity to cultivate a celebrity out of a nobody, she helps fabricate Jed’s false life via multiple online platforms. Before long, Jed emerges from his cocoon as a highprofile social butterfly. However, after Jed unexpectedly crosses paths with his high-school crush Franky (Kaily Smith Westbrook), dormant affections reawaken and Jed must find a way to reconcile his unvarnished self with the slick facade of his online persona.
RUN TIME 92 min DIRECTOR Sherwin Shilati PRODUCERS Shelley Stevens, Kaily Smith Westbrook SCREENWRITER Sherwin Shilati
SHERWIN SHILATI began his career working on Lost and directing an awardwinning short. He then wrote awardwinning television pilots Hit Factor and MERRIme.com. Shilati’s commercial directing career began when he was asked to write and direct the 2008 NBA All-Star Campaign for Amar'e Stoudemire. He made his television directing debut on Lucifer and will be directing episode 2.16 of Riverdale.
KEY CAST Nick Thune, Halston Sage, Kaily Smith Westbrook, Ian Harding, Usher Raymond
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THU, NOV 9 8:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 1:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 8:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA NARRATIVE FEATURES
This program generously supported by Maureen & Marlin McKeever
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The Sounding
Liv, a young woman raised on a remote island off the coast of Maine, has never spoken a word. After her guardian Lionel discovers that he is in poor health, he calls upon a colleague to oversee her behavior and continue his work. One night, as Lionel reads to Liv, she begins to speak in a language of her own design. She crafts sentences and CATHERINE EATON is a director, writer, phrases by weaving together pieces of actor, and producer with Native Shakespeare’s works. Upon hearing Liv American heritage. She is developing speak, Michael, the driven neurologist two original series for television, both come to aide in Lionel’s impending finalists for the Sundance Labs. Her absence, commits Liv to a psychiatric pilot, On The Outs, has just been hospital in an attempt to protect and awarded the Tribeca Enterprises study her. Reluctant to embrace her “Through Her Lens” 2016 Award. own voice until now, Liv becomes a Catherine is a freelance producer and full-blown rebel in the hospital. Her shares an Emmy® for Bloomberg’s increasing violence threatens to keep investigative report The Human Toll her locked up for life as she fights for of Ethanol. her freedom.
RUN TIME 93 min DIRECTOR Catherine Eaton PRODUCERS Caitlin Gold, Jessica Vale SCREENWRITERS Catherine Eaton, Bryan Delaney KEY CAST Catherine Eaton, Teddy Sears, Erin Darke, Harris Yulin, Frankie Faison, Lucy Owen, Danny Burstein, David Furr
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 8:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 5:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
SUN, NOV 12 NARRATIVE FEATURES
5:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
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This program generously supported by Patricia & Granville Toogood
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Stuck
In this original pop musical film, five complete strangers board a NYC subway car, each in a rush to his or her next destination. When the train stalls in a tunnel, the passengers find themselves locked in the car together, trapped along with a mysterious homeless man. As time passes, the emotions and stories of the confined strangers emerge through song. Over the course of their time together, not only are the passengers forced to face each other, but also face something significant in their own lives. Thoughts, lives, and opinions change in the span of a few hours on this particular day, this particular subway, with this particular homeless man, stuck.
RUN TIME 90 min DIRECTOR Michael Berry PRODUCER Mike Witherill SCREENWRITERS Riley Thomas, Michael Berry
MICHAEL BERRY made his feature film debut with Frontera, which he directed and co-wrote. Previously Berry directed and co-produced two award-winning short films. As an actor, Berry appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Next To Normal. Off Broadway, Berry appeared in a critically acclaimed production of Moby Dick and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.
KEY CAST Giancarlo Esposito, Amy Madigan, Ashanti, Arden Cho, Omar Chaparro, Gerard Canonico
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THU, NOV 9 1:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 9:30 AM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 5:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA NARRATIVE FEATURES
This program generously supported by Hilary & Chris Wendel
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Tater Tot & Patton Andie, a young woman recently released from rehab after an attempted suicide, is banished by her family to a secluded South Dakota ranch lorded over by her temperamental Uncle Erwin. Andie and Erwin prove to be vicious verbal sparring partners. They find themselves forced by their isolation amid 10,000 acres of wheat, sorghum, and hay bails to find common ground by accepting each other’s addictions and slowly divulging their own secrets. Tater Tot & Patton explores universal themes of loss, depression, and the loneliness at the foundation of addiction; but above all, it illuminates the hope brought to us in the most unlikely of places by the most unlikely of people.
RUN TIME 92 min DIRECTOR Andrew Kightlinger PRODUCERS Andrew Kightlinger, Adam Emerson SCREENWRITER Andrew Kightlinger KEY CAST Bates Wilder, Jessica Rothe, Forrest Weber ANDREW KIGHTLINGER is a Madagascar-bred, South Dakota-brewed filmmaker. In addition to winning the Grand Prize in the 2016 Slamdance Screenplay Competition, Kightlinger has directed award-winning short films and two feature films. He currently sits on the Board of the South Dakota Arts Council, championing Lakota tribal artists and grassroots visual media.
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Friday screening of Tater Tot & Patton, followed by an in-depth discussion with the filmmaker. Please visit nvff.org/box-office/tickets/
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 This program generously supported by Michelle & Robin Baggett
FRI, NOV 10
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8:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA 1:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
SUN, NOV 12 9:45 AM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA NVFF.ORG
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The Year of Spectacular Men RUN TIME 104 min DIRECTOR Lea Thompson PRODUCERS Daniel Roth, Damiano Tucci, Gordon Gilbertson, Howard Deutch, Zoey Deutch SCREENWRITER Madelyn Deutch LEA THOMPSON is perhaps best known from the Back to the Future film series, and for the TV series Caroline in the City and Switched at Birth. Her diverse career spans over 50 films, as well as television and stage appearances too numerous to count. Now she has directed her first feature film, The Year of Spectacular Men.
KEY CAST Zoey Deutch, Madelyn Deutch, Avan Jogia, Cameron Monaghan, Nicholas Braun, Jesse Bradford, Brandon T. Jackson, Zach Roerig, Melissa Bolona, Lea Thompson SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 8:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 5:15 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 1:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA NARRATIVE FEATURES
Having barely graduated from college, Izzy Klein (Madelyn Deutch), is now stranded in New York City with a bad case of pre-real-world millennial-itis. Unsure of her next move, Izzy’s younger movie star sister Sabrina (2016 NVFF Rising Star Zoey Deutch) convinces her to move back home to Los Angeles and into the apartment she shares with her boyfriend Sebastian, where they can keep an eye on her. Emotionally unable to deal with the loss of her father and slightly distracted by her mother Deb's (Lea Thompson) newfound love affair with a loopy yogini, Izzy funnels her energy into dating a colorful bouquet of five complicated and spectacular men: Aaron, Ross, Logan, Mikey, and Charlie. Over the course of the next year, and coping - just barely - with the help of her trusty notebook, Izzy falls in and out of some not-so-romantic romances, and figures out that when it totally feels like the end of your story, it's often just the beginning.
This program generously supported by Jane & Larry Solomon
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1915 main street st. helena ca 94574 707.963.7000 lasalcobas.com
“Whether it be chefs or winemakers or anybody in the hospitality business—our goal in life is to make people smile and give good memories.”
Photo: Josh Telles
SPECIAL PROFILE
Chris Cosentino Las Alcobas | Acacia House
Chris Cosentino is known for his innovative cooking, his appearances on various cooking shows, and his popular restaurants: Acacia House (St. Helena) and Cockscomb (San Francisco). But after speaking with him, it seems he’s simply a man who loves to cook, cycle, and give back to those in need. This year, Chris will be attending NVFF through his restaurant Acacia House at the Festival Gala, and will also be presenting a culinary demonstration at the CIA at Copia Culinary Theater in Napa on Saturday, November 11th. “To me, Napa is like wine country in Europe, only everyone speaks English! It’s beautiful. There are so many wonderful things happening and being made in the valley— wine, vinegar, olive oil, farming, ranching, etc. It’s a very special place to be.” Chris is also an avid cyclist, and a major supporter of organizations such as CampoVelo and Chefs Cycle. This year at NVFF, Chris will join Rebecca Rusch—the main subject of the film Blood Road, screening at NVFF17— for a special bike ride event on Friday, November 10th. “I’ve been fortunate enough to see Blood Road, and I’ve met Rebecca through racing in the past, and she is an extremely—extremely talented athlete. She’s done things I could never imagine completing. And what she did in Vietnam is unlike anything I could ever fathom. Her goal of removing unexploded
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ordinances in Vietnam along the Blood Road is just amazing and I’m really excited to spend some time with her, and watch the film with her and hear her conversations about it. It’s such an eye-opening experience. I had just been in Vietnam last year, so seeing those images…some appalling and some stunning. I’m just really honored to be there with her and celebrate that with her. It’s such a powerful piece that I’m hoping will open people’s eyes.” The film follows Rebecca on an emotional journey as she rides 1,200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in search of where her father’s plane crashed during the Vietnam War. In cycling for a cause, Rebecca is an inspiration to people like Chris, who in recent years, has combined his cycling hobby with his passion for helping those in need. “I am on the Board of Chefs Cycle, part of No Kid Hungry and Share Our Strength, which is an organization that raises funds to feed children in need. 1 in 5 kids go to school hungry which is crazy to me. For Chefs Cycle, we chefs ride 300 miles in 3 days to raise awareness and funds to help these kids. CampoVelo is a 3-day cycling event that is all about the love of the bike, food and wine. My partner, Rebecca Kotch, has built 3 amazing bike routes to showcase St. Helena and Napa Valley while still having fun. We feature a few different charities but Chefs Cycle is a huge part of CampoVelo.” Having been involved in cooking television in previous years, Chris has since followed a
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path away from all of it, turning his focus to cooking good food and helping others. “Whether it be chefs or winemakers or anybody in the hospitality business—our goal in life is to make people smile and give good memories. And I think there’re a lot of things in life that give people bad memories and it’s kind of a great experience to try to wash those bad memories away by doing something for people that need help. Whether it’s doing a bicycle ride for Chefs Cycle or feeding people during Thanksgiving or volunteering at a soup kitchen—I think there are a million ways that people can help—especially food service professionals and chefs, and sometimes the simplest thing goes the longest way. For me I chose cycling and No Kids hungry. For other people there are different means. It’s picking something that is important to you and sticking through it.” Chris’ devotion to cooking, cycling, and supporting those in need is an inspiration to all of us at NVFF. We look forward to our time with him at this year’s festival.
LEARN MORE CampoVelo campovelo.com Chefs Cycle & No Kid Hungry chefscycle.org
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CREATING SINCE 1980
FOR THREE GENERATIONS and nearly 40 years, our family has worked to ensure that every time a bottle of our wine is uncorked, delightful memories are created. With each vintage and varietal, we raise the bar, working tirelessly to deliver the best possible wines and customer service. Tours & tastings available daily by appointment. ROMBAUER.COM
E sta bl ish e d 1980 Family Owned & Operated
IT’S TRUE, THE WINERY IS NEW. BUT THE SOIL IS OLD AS DIRT.
Italics Winegrowers, 70 Rapp Lane, Napa CA 94558 www.ItalicsWine.com 707-258-0106 info@italicswine.com #ItalicsWine
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES FEATURES ACORN and the Firestorm Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise Coyote A Fine Line The Gateway Bug Laddie: The Man Behind The Movies Mighty Ground Skid Row Marathon The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES Sponsored by Meadowood Napa Valley
ACORN and the Firestorm ACORN, America’s largest grassroots community organizing group, became a major player in the 2008 presidential election that resulted in Barack Obama’s historic victory. Big businesses, Republicans, and rightwing activists took issue with the group, firing accusations of voter fraud and government waste at the leftleaning organization. The conservative opposition found unexpected allies in a pair of amateur journalists who posed as a pimp and prostitute hoping to expose ACORN via hidden-camera. The ensuing political drama spawned the now omnipresent Breitbart Media, and served as a prescient foreshadowing of today’s political climate. In an age where fake news and truthiness obscure reality, ACORN and the Firestorm tells a moving story about what lies beneath a divided America.
RUN TIME 84 min DIRECTORS Reuben Atlas, Sam Pollard PRODUCERS Reuben Atlas, Sam Pollard
REUBEN ATLAS is an award-winning producer, director, and former lawyer. His first film Brothers Hypnotic premiered at SXSW and was broadcast internationally on PBS' Independent Lens. He recently co-directed Sour Grapes.
WED, NOV 8 2:00 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
FRI, NOV 10 1:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
SUN, NOV 12 1:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Karen Ballou & Jay Lucas
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DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
SAM POLLARD has made over 50 films, including the Oscar®-nominated documentary Four Little Girls with Spike Lee, as well as HBO’s When the Levees Broke. He recently edited Alex Gibney’s Sinatra: All or Nothing at All for HBO and directed Slavery By Another Name for PBS.
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Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise
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When Thelma & Louise hit theaters in 1991, it was praised as an exhilarating prototype of female empowerment and freedom. It was also condemned as an alarming specimen of toxic feminism and male-bashing. At that time, viewers responded to a national survey, sharing their visceral reactions to the film in letters and on audiotape. Twenty-five years later, the former researcher, now filmmaker, tracked down some of the same viewers from around the country and invited them to share the myriad of meanings Thelma & Louise holds for them. They revisit the protagonists’ journey along with several cast and crew members from the original film. Director Jennifer Townsend poses this question to the film’s subjects and audiences alike: has anything changed in the past quarter-century in the way women are treated and perceived by the world?
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RUN TIME 87 min DIRECTOR Jennifer Townsend PRODUCER Jennifer Townsend
JENNIFER TOWNSEND, producer/director, is a first-time feature filmmaker. She filmed and edited a series of intimate vignettes of senior citizens sharing personal stories about death and dying, giving up driving, and losing a loved one. Collectively, these shorts were titled Old Folks at Home. Jennifer has had several careers, including law and commercial real estate.
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 5:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 AM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
SUN, NOV 12 8:30 PM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
This program generously supported by Scott Delman / Marshall Ruben
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Coyote
RUN TIME 107 min DIRECTOR Thomas Simmons PRODUCERS Ryan Lynch, Matthew Walker
THOMAS SIMMONS was a young onlooker when his uncle, Mike Plant, sailed to victory in a single handed sailboat race around the world. Thomas has navigated his first feature film much like Plant captained his first circumnavigation: on the strength of zero experience, equipped with a core belief in the message: take a chance and face your dreams...life is a great adventure.
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Thursday screening of Coyote, followed by an in-depth discussion with the filmmaker. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 8:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
FRI, NOV 10 9:45 AM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 5:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Pepper & Michael Jackson #NVFF17
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In Coyote, director Thomas Simmons recounts the inspiring true story of legendary sailor and adventurer Mike Plant. Spanning the decade from his arrival in professional offshore sailing in the mid 80's, the film follows Plant's daring spirit as he races around the world alone on a sailboat. Chronically inexperienced, underfunded and undermanned, Plant's thirst for adventure and fearless belief in his dreams drive him to become an American hero of the sea. A most unlikely hero, in that Plant had to overcome repercussions left over from his life before competitive sailing, including an escape from Greek authorities on a drug trafficking charge and time behind bars in a Portuguese prison. Despite all that he accomplishes in sailing, Plant's heart is never satisfied. His final creation, Coyote, a radically designed vessel built on the edge of speed and safety, symbolizes Plant's course in life: running before the wind, always with an eye to the sea.
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A Fine Line
A Fine Line explores why only six percent of head chefs and restaurant owners are women, when historically and traditionally women have always held the central role in the kitchen. Director Joanna James presents perspectives and experiences from world-renowned chefs, including San Francisco's very own and World’s Best Female Chef Dominique Crenn, Emmy® Award Winning TV Host Lidia Bastianich, Two Michelin Star Chef April Bloomfield, and one of Time Magazine's Most Influential People Barbara Lynch. Woven throughout is the personal story of Valerie James, a small town restaurateur with a larger than life personality. Valerie is a single mother on a mission to do what she loves, while raising two kids and bravely facing the odds stacked mightily high against her.
RUN TIME 72 min DIRECTOR Joanna James PRODUCERS Joanna James, Anastasia Ganias-Gellin, Katy Jordan
JOANNA JAMES is co-founder of Aliana Productions, an independent production company that produces, writes, and develops original content for film, television, and multimedia platforms. While reporting for The Hellenic Voice, Joanna was chosen to cover the 2004 Olympic Games. She then wrote for The Taunton Daily Gazette, where she was awarded best environmental reporting by the New England Press Association.
KEY CAST Barbara Lynch, Dominique Crenn, April Bloomfield, Lidia Bastianich, Cat Cora, Sylvia Weinstock, Elena Arzak, Carrie Nahabedian, Maria Loi, Mashama Bailey, Valerie James
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 8:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 5:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
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1:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA This program generously supported by Carissa Ashman / Janice Turner / Renee Coker
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The Gateway Bug
RUN TIME 84 min DIRECTOR Johanna B. Kelly PRODUCERS Johanna B. Kelly, Cameron Marshad SCREENWRITERS Johanna B. Kelly, Cameron Marshad New York-based Aussie filmmaker JOHANNA B. KELLY’s credits include seven feature films as Production Designer, including cult indie Like Lambs, shot on 35mm (Atlanta and Boston Int. Film Festival premieres, 2016), and horror flick Seclusion (Hoboken Int. Film Festival, 2016). The Gateway Bug is Johanna's directorial debut.
KEY CAST Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, Andrew Zimmern, David Gracer, Pat Crowley
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 5:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 1:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 10:00 AM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Eugenia Melian & Paul Zaentz
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The Gateway Bug follows the rise and fall of edible insect startups in America, exploring cultural taboos in diet and agriculture, and exposing America’s disconnect with the idea of our food system courting climate catastrophe. We witness the inauguration of the American Edible Insect Coalition, pioneering technology in Silicon Valley, and the conversion of viewers into activists, igniting social change through education. Interviewees include professionals from the UN, USDA, NRDC, to TV host and chef Andrew Zimmern, Shark Tank star Pat Crowley, employees at commercial cricket farms, attendees of bug eating festivals, and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Recent studies show a global shift to an ento/ plant-based diet would reduce mortality 10% and cut up to 70% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Gateway Bug follows a unique route toward a brighter future as told through an insider’s intimate journey.
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Laddie: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES
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Filmmaker Amanda Ladd-Jones embarks on a journey to better understand her father, Alan Ladd, Jr., known to friends and colleagues as Laddie, the understated studio chief and Oscar®-winning producer behind films such as Star Wars, Alien, Blade Runner, Braveheart and Thelma & Louise. Known for making risky choices, betting on talent, and trusting the directors he hired, Laddie created pioneering opportunities for women and minorities, both on-screen and behind the camera. George Lucas, Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Affleck, Ron Howard, and Morgan Freeman sit down with Amanda to offer an inside look at their groundbreaking films. Through their collective lens, we see how Laddie’s intelligence, kindness, and unflagging faith in the people he hired turned this private everyman into one of the most successful movie moguls in Hollywood history.
RUN TIME 83 min DIRECTOR Amanda Ladd-Jones PRODUCERS Amanda Ladd-Jones, Rich Buhrman, Natasha Klibansky, Katherine Griffin, Chip Mauro
AMANDA LADD-JONES is Alan Ladd, Jr.’s daughter. Amanda moved to New York where she attended college and then worked as a freelance film and television production accountant. Amanda’s screenwriting led her back to Los Angeles where she graduated from UCLA’s accredited screenwriting program and went on to write several optioned scripts.
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 8:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 1:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 1:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Mary & William Agee NVFF.ORG
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Mighty Ground Living on the streets of downtown LA's Skid Row, Ronald Troy Collins gets through his days by singing to people. Feeling apathy or disdain, most people simply pass him by. Those who do stop to listen find themselves captivated by the depth of his prophetic voice, and by the songs he composes on the spot and directs at each listener's soul. Some find themselves moved to tears, feeling an unnamable connection with Ronald that crosses racial and economical lines. They recognize that they need to hear his song as much as he needs to sing it to them. Delila Vallot's Mighty Ground captures the auspicious moment when the people Ronald has sung into his life collectively support and pray for his transformation as the weight of an ingrained crack addiction threatens to drown his chances for redemption and recovery.
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTOR Delila Vallot PRODUCERS Aimee Schoof, Isen Robbins KEY CAST Ronald Troy Collins
DELILA VALLOT is an American stage, film and television actress, dancer, and director. The 2013 suspense thriller Tunnel Vision, was her debut as a feature length film director. In December 2015, Delila released her first feature documentary, titled Can You Dig This, which won a Jury Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 8:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 AM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11
This program generously supported by The Gardner Grout Foundation
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10:00 AM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
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Skid Row Marathon A criminal court judge starts a running club on LA’s notorious skid row and begins training a motley group of addicts and criminals to run marathons. Remarkably, lives begin to change. Judge Craig Mitchell believes that if he can better the physical and psychological health of these individuals, then perhaps some of those successes and advancements might transfer over to their social and professional lives as well. Skid Row Marathon follows five runners as they rise from the mean streets of LA to run marathons around the world, fighting the pull of homelessness and addiction at every turn. Their story is an inspiring and important one of enduring hope, friendship, and dignity.
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTOR Mark Hayes PRODUCERS Gabriele Hayes, Doug Blush SCREENWRITERS Mark Hayes, Tchavdar Georgiev MARK HAYES attended the film program at New York University and studied under the renowned documentarian George Stoney. He produced and directed several documentaries including Rebound and Svoboda Means Freedom. Mark has taught screenwriting at Southern Methodist University and is a member of the Writers Guild of America.
KEY CAST Judge Craig Mitchell, David Askew, Ben Shirley, Rafael Cabrera, Rebecca Hayes, Mody Diop
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 5:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 AM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
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SUN, NOV 12
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10:00 AM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE This program generously supported by Laura & Tawhid Gazi
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The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin examines the life and work of one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. Filmmaker Jennifer M. Kroot follows Maupin’s evolution from a conservative son of the Old South into a gay rights pioneer whose novels have inspired millions to claim their own truth. The creator of Tales Of The City shares many rare insights into the transformation of sexual politics throughout his lifetime. With help from his friends (including Neil Gaiman, Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, Sir Ian McKellen and Amy Tan), Maupin offers a disarmingly frank look at the journey that took him from the jungles of Vietnam to the bathhouses of 70’s San Francisco to the front line of the American culture war.
RUN TIME 90 min DIRECTOR Jennifer M. Kroot PRODUCERS Gerry Kim, Mayuran Tiruchelvam
JENNIFER M. KROOT’s feature length documentary To Be Takei premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically to critical acclaim. Her feature documentary It Came From Kuchar premiered at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival. Jennifer is a Bay Area native and studied film at The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI), where she has also taught film.
KEY CAST Armistead Maupin, Laura Linney, Neil Gaiman, Olympia Dukakis, Sir Ian McKellen, Amy Tan
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 5:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE
FRI, NOV 10 5:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA
SUN, NOV 12 This program generously supported by Dana & Andy Eckert
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1:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
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CHATEAU POTELLE TASTING HOUSE & GARDEN 707-255- 9440 VGSChateauPotelle.com Highway 29 at 1200 Dowdell Lane St. Helena (Just Two Blocks South of Main Street)
Napa Valley’s Premier Food & Wine Tasting Experience Enjoy 6 of our wines, each served with exquisite food bites from the famed Michelin starred La Toque Restaurant. Indoor and Outdoor Seated Tastings Private Room for Wine Club Members Open Daily 10am-5pm by Reservation
VGS: Good Things Speak for Themselves
“Guests were coming to taste what friends had declared to be ‘very good shit.’”
SPECIAL PROFILE
VGS Chateau Potelle: It’s Very Good S*!% On the edge of downtown St. Helena sits a quaint white house with an inviting yellow door. As you make your way through the flower and topiary garden, both French and American flags hang in the doorway. This is VGS Chateau Potelle. When owner Jean-Noel Fourmeaux du Sartel first came to America, he had no intention of staying. In fact, the French government was responsible for sending him abroad in the first place. As an Official Wine Taster for France, it became Jean-Noel’s job to find out exactly what was happening in Napa Valley. The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 had created such uproar that the French government wanted Jean-Noel to spy on the state of winemaking in America. Six months later, he decided to stay. When we asked Jean-Noel why he made this bold decision he replied, “In 1980, America was starting a culinary revolution. I knew if food continued to change, then wine would have to change in style as well. To me, wine is experience, joy and pleasure. Just as you have a vision for a dish, you should also have a vision for your wine.” Originally from Bordeaux, Jean-Noel fell in love with wine at an early age; however, he
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felt as though the people of Bordeaux were, at times, narrow-minded. On the other hand, Americans were on the forefront of changing the wine industry and that excited him. “For me, the world is my space. There are so many fantastic wines out there. Life is boring if you only enjoy one thing. Humans are people of complexity. Me, I am attracted to layers. Every glass I drink should bring out different nuances that satisfy me.” Shortly after his big move, Jean-Noel started a winery using the name of his family’s 900-yearold castle in France. Moving to California was a big jump into unknown territory, but the name Chateau Potelle allowed him to keep his values and traditions close. It wasn’t until years later that Jean-Noel added VGS, letters inspired by what he called his “American Education.” One day in his tasting room, Jean-Noel had a visitor who asked him how he rated wine for the French government. Jean-Noel thought for a moment and, with a sense of humor, replied, “Good shit, bad shit.” The visitor, of course, laughed, then raised his glass and said, “Well, this is very good shit.” Two weeks later, the Chateau Potelle tasting room was busier than ever and the
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name had stuck. Guests were coming to taste what friends had declared to be “very good shit.” “At VGS Chateau Potelle, I make California wines with a French accent. I did not come to America to make French wine. In Napa Valley, we have food that is totally different. It’s like if you meet someone from California or Tennessee or Oklahoma. You are all American, but you’re not the same. Instead, you’re shaped by your culture, your roots, and your experiences around the world.” VGS Chateau Potelle offers intimate wine tastings for every mood and food bites from La Toque restaurant. When asked about his winemaking philosophy, Jean-Noel replied, “Good wine is great, but our mood heavily influences the experience of wine. That is why my mission is to help Americans loosen up and listen to their mood. I want people to inspect their mood because that is a key factor to enjoying life. If you listen to your mood it will lead you to where you want to drink. Wine is for everyone. The more you experiment, the more you understand your mood and ultimately your palate. That is what matters most.”
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E X P ERI ENCES, E LEVAT ED Works shown by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Franz Gertsch and Frank Stella; three of over 20 artists represented at the Hess Art Museum
Open daily 10:00am - 5:30pm. For reservations, please visit HESSCOLLECTION.COM TASTINGS: Reservations Suggested TOURS, WINE + FOOD PAIRINGS: Reservations Required Enter code NVFF10 when booking for 10% off any experience 4411 REDWOOD R OA D | N A PA , CA | 707. 255.114 4 | H ESSCO L L EC TIO N.CO M |
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Experience a Napa Valley Original
Visit the California-Inspired Yakitori Grill & Bar, by acclaimed Chefs Douglas Keane & Sang Yoon at the Freemark Abbey Estate.
Š2017 Freemark Abbey Winery, St. Helena, CA
Tasting Room Open Daily 10am - 5pm 3022 St. Helena Hwy. North, St. Helena, CA, 94574 800.963.9698
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nvff pass holders receive preferred pricing on our nvff tasting during the festival.
THE LOUNGE FEATURES Amanda & Jack Go Glamping Class Rank Coup d'Etat Entanglement A Happening of Monumental Proportions Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town Life Hack Quest The Relationtrip
SHORTS Lemon Frankie Keeps Talking The Final Show Rekindled Brosé The Arrival Margoland Working On My Short: A Short Film About Figuring Out What My Short Film Should Be About
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Amanda & Jack Go Glamping With his mid-life marriage on rocky ground and a persistent case of writer’s block, dejected one-hit-author Jack Spencer (David Arquette) goes glamping (glamorous camping) with his wife Amanda (Amy Acker) in search of a spark. The isolated retreat suddenly becomes anything but private with the arrival of double-booking honeymoon hipsters and the return of the sexy super-hunk owner of the “resort.” While Amanda seems excited by all of the charged romantic and sexual energy around them, a visibly derailed and frustrated Jack is clearly not. Desperate to find a way to get over his own flaws and failed ideals, Jack dives deep off the grid into a comedic exploration of love, failure, relevance, and miniature donkeys.
RUN TIME 94 min DIRECTOR Brandon Dickerson PRODUCERS Brandon Dickerson, Cathleen Sutherland, Susan Kirr SCREENWRITER Brandon Dickerson KEY CAST David Arquette, Amy Acker, Adan Canto, June Squibb BRANDON DICKERSON is an award-winning writer/director honored for his work in features, commercials, and music videos—including the Cannes Gold Lion. His music-driven debut Sironia took home a variety of festival awards. Dickerson then traveled the globe directing the war documentary A Single Frame, followed by his next writer/director feature Victor.
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WED, NOV 8 7:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
THU, NOV 9 1:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 10:00 AM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA This program generously supported by Naomi & Patrick Davila THE LOUNGE
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Class Rank
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Bernard (Skyler Gisondo) is a compassionate and motivated teenager who has been raised by his quirky grandfather, Oswald (Bruce Dern). When Bernard is approached by his ambitious classmate Veronica (Olivia Holt) who urges him to run for the Board of Education, he jumps at the chance to further his own agenda of improving the educational system and attending a college close to Oswald. After finding out she's ranked number two in their class, Veronica has an agenda of her own: to expunge the ranking system so she can get into Yale in hopes of becoming the youngest Supreme Court Justice. While attempting to woo the worldly Editor-and-Chief (Kathleen Chalfant) of the local newspaper for an endorsement, Bernard finds a new companion for Oswald. Over the course of their campaign, Bernard and Veronica discover the complexity of their connection and the importance of helping others, while Oswald and the Editor-and-Chief discover a potentially lovely future together.
RUN TIME 102 min DIRECTOR Eric Stoltz PRODUCERS Shaun S. Sanghani, Sandy Stern SCREENWRITER Benjamin August
ERIC STOLTZ has acted on Broadway, in films, and on television. He has been a P.A. on three studio films, produced independent films, and directed several short films and television shows. Eric has been nominated for a Tony, a Golden Globe®, an Emmy®, and a Spirit Award. He also has a ‘platinum album' for his participation in Sandra Boynton's CD entitled, Philadelphia Chickens.
KEY CAST Skyler Gisondo, Olivia Holt, Bruce Dern, Kathleen Chalfant, Kristin Chenoweth
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 4:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 4:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 5:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Sofi & Tyson Riddell / Jo-Ann & Jim Riddell / Brenda Riddell NVFF.ORG
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Coup d'Etat Coup d’Etat is the story of Tatiana Mills (Odeya Rush), a sixteen year-old American girl who becomes pen pals with Anton Vincent (Michael Caine), a notorious island nation dictator. When Anton is deposed by his own people, who finally rise up against centuries-long violent European imperialist rule, he unexpectedly seeks refuge in Tatiana’s suburban garage. There, he develops a grandfatherly relationship with the teen and her struggling single mom Darlene (Katie Holmes). As prospects for taking back his country dim, Anton shifts his focus to Tatiana’s high school life, making her a rebel in training and teaching her to rule her school. Ultimately, his plans go too far, requiring Tatiana to rely on her own instincts, skills, and newfound confidence in order to overthrow Anton.
RUN TIME 90 min DIRECTORS Lisa Addario, Joe Syracuse PRODUCERS Lucas Jarach, Robert Ogden Barnum, Jorge Garcia Castro, Coastal Film Studios
LISA ADDARIO and JOE SYRACUS are married writer/directors. They have written screenplays for all major studios, including Paramount, Fox, Sony, Dreamworks, and Universal. They have also sold television pilots to Fox and ABC. They wrote and directed Lover Girl, which premiered in competition at the Toronto International Film Festival, as well as Amateur Night, which was released by Cinedigm in theaters and on demand.
SCREENWRITERS Lisa Addario, Joe Syracuse KEY CAST Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Jason Biggs, Seth Green
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 10:00 AM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 AM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 4:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, ST. HELENA
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Entanglement While searching for any significance to his existence, suicidal Ben Layten (Thomas Middleditch) discovers that he almost had an adopted sister. With the help of his enthusiastic neighbor, Tabby (Diana Bang), Ben sets out to find this not-quite sibling in an effort to discern if his life could have been different or more meaningful. While tracking down his would-be sister, he meets the mysterious Hanna Weathers (Jess Weixler) and suddenly finds himself in a very different relationship than what he’d been hoping for. Ben is forced to confront some dark truths as he faces the possibility that everything he thinks he knows about himself, and about Hanna, just isn’t true… and that life, and love, is a lot more complicated than he ever imagined.
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTOR Jason James PRODUCERS Amber Ripley, Jason James SCREENWRITER Jason Filiatrault KEY CAST Thomas Middleditch, Jess Weixler, Diana Bang JASON JAMES is an award-winning producer/writer/director. He recently directed/produced the indie feature That Burning Feeling, which played numerous festivals, won Best Feature at VIFF, and was released in both the USA and Canada. Jason is currently slated to direct the feature film The Mother Outlaws and is developing two TV series: Sleeping Around and Lady Business.
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 8:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 1:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11
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A Happening of Monumental Proportions The discovery of a dead body at an ordinary suburban elementary school derails what was supposed to be an uneventful Career Day. While a pair of inept administrators attempts to hide the corpse, across town, school-parent and recent widower Daniel Crawford heads to work only to find himself at the center of an office conspiracy: someone has sabotaged the office coffee machine, and the under-caffeinated management is thirsty for blood. A few meetings (and several lies) later, Daniel’s asshole-ofa-boss turns him into a scapegoat and terminates his employment. Daniel finds himself heading to his daughter’s Career Day to speak about a job he no longer has. What follows is mayhem.
RUN TIME 80 min DIRECTOR Judy Greer PRODUCERS David Gardner, Stephanie Meurer, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz SCREENWRITER Gary Lundy JUDY GREER is an actress well known for her work in film and television. Some of her most iconic roles are from Jawbreaker, Arrested Development, 13 Going on 30, The Village, Cursed, Elizabethtown, Adaptation, What Women Want, and The Wedding Planner. A Happening of Monumental Proportions is Judy’s directorial debut.
KEY CAST Common, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Marla Sokoloff, Anders Holm, Rob Riggle, Katie Holmes, Nat Faxon
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 4:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 1:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11 This program generously supported by Patricia Decker & John Holton
10:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA THE LOUNGE
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Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town Broke and between jobs, indie musician Izzy (Mackenzie Davis) discovers that her ex-boyfriend, her supposed soul mate, is now engaged to her ex-best friend. Worse yet, she’s gone on a bender and woken up in a strange guy’s bed all the way across town. To top it off, the loving couple plan to celebrate their engagement at a party this very night. Enraged and desperate, Izzy attempts to make her way back across town without a car, her quest alternately assisted and hindered by many vibrant and strange Angelenos. With the clock ticking, Izzy is determined to break up those double-crossing love birds before it is permanently too late.
RUN TIME 86 min DIRECTOR Christian Papierniak PRODUCERS Christian Papierniak, Mackenzie Davis, Meghan Lennox, Melissa Panzer SCREENWRITER Christian Papierniak CHRISTIAN PAPIERNIAK has created and co-executive produced pilots for ABC, NBC, Fox, Sony, ABC Family, and Lifetime. In film, he has worked as a writer for Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros/New Line, Lion's Gate, Disney, and Fox Searchlight. While still in Grad School at AFI, he was named one of Filmmaker Magazine's “Top 25 New Faces of Independent Film”.
KEY CAST Mackenzie Davis, Alex Russell, Alia Shawkat, Annie Potts, Brandon T. Jackson, Carrie Coon, Dolly Wells, Haley Joel Osment, Lakeith Stanfield
SHOWTIM ES
THUR, NOV 9 10:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
FRI, NOV 10 5:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
SAT, NOV 11
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Life Hack Charlie, a “white hat” hacker, and his techie pal, Jack, find out that their pal Bobby was caught pleasuring himself on camera and is now being blackmailed by a glorified cyber bully known only as Moraler. Many in the tech community believe Moraler is the mastermind behind recent antiestablishment hacks. At first, the guys are skeptical there’s anything they can do to help poor Bobby. But when one of the guys meets and is enchanted by struggling actress Carolyn, who’s also recently been hacked, Charlie and Jack decide to embark on a tense and highly-entertaining search for the twistedly righteous Moraler. It’s a frantic race against time as they try to get to him before he releases Bobby’s graphic video to social media. Cover your webcams, everyone!
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTOR Sloan Copeland PRODUCERS Jessica Copeland, Sloan Copeland, Doug Roland, Benjamin Zimbric SCREENWRITER Sloan Copeland SLOAN COPELAND is an award-winning film director, writer, and producer. He founded Self Conscious Entertainment in 2001 and has grown the production group into a highly creative and respected company. His previous film, Wet Behind the Ears, won over 20 awards and is distributed globally. Other credits include unREAL, Synapse, From Date To Mate, and In The Now.
KEY CAST Derek Wilson, Jessica Copeland, Mike Giese, Dylan Pinter, Christine Cartell, Doug Roland, Sean Kleier, Devin Ratray
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 5:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
SUN, NOV 12 7:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
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Quest
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Mills is a twelve year-old graffiti addict who is quickly losing faith in human integrity. His life on the streets has become his only escape from an abusive household headed by the devilish Gus (Lou Diamond Phillips). Tim (Dash Mihok), a humble middle school teacher and football coach, believes that there is no such thing as a bad kid, only a bad situation. The two form an uneasy friendship when Tim recognizes Mills’ unhealthy behavior as merely a cry for help. In practicing his beliefs, Tim is willing to sacrifice his reputation, job, and relationships in order to win the child’s trust and help protect Mills from the dangers that plague his young life. Mills, on the other hand, fails to repay Tim’s faith and struggles to trust him until dire circumstances arise. Quest is based on Director Santiago Rizzo’s own childhood and honors the life of beloved Bay Area teacher, coach, and human being, Tim Moellering.
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RUN TIME 86 min DIRECTOR Santiago Rizzo PRODUCERS Santiago Rizzo, Darren Anderson SCREENWRITER Santiago Rizzo
SANTIAGO RIZZO grew up in a violent home before moving in with his teacher, Tim Moellering. After graduating from Stanford, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue creative expression, only to later leave Hollywood for a job in finance. In 2013, Santiago shut down his alternative energy hedge fund in order to make Quest, a script he originally wrote with Tim before Tim died of pancreatic cancer.
KEY CAST Lou Diamond Phillips, Lakeith Stanfield, Betsy Brandt, Dash Mihok, Gregory Kasyan
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WED, NOV 8 1:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
THU, NOV 9 7:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 1:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
This program generously supported by Maria-Liisa Barnby & Clay Riddell / Sara Haid & Mark Barnby NVFF.ORG
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LOUNGE FEATURES
The Relationtrip At an age when everyone around them is settling down and finding love, Beck and Liam are self-proclaimed loners, emotionally hibernating through young adulthood. After bonding over their mutual disinterest in relationships, they decide to go away together on a 'friend' trip to the desert... and that's when things get weird. Really, really weird. In the span of a few short days, Beck and Liam experience the metaphorical arc of a lifelong partnership. They experience the excitement and beauty in a newly founded connection. They mourn the loss of that initial spark as their deepest secrets and insecurities tear them apart. Filmmakers Smith and Gabriel use surrealistic and hallucinatory tactics to paint the paradoxical vision of a blossoming relationship that hits its peak and then falls apart, all in the span of one really bizarre weekend.
RUN TIME 89 min DIRECTORS Renée Felice Smith, C.A. Gabriel PRODUCERS Rachel Kiri Walker, Renée Felice Smith, C.A. Gabriel SCREENWRITERS Renée Felice Smith, C.A. Gabriel RENÉE FELICE SMITH and C.A. GABRIEL are writing/directing/life partners who met at their 6th grade class election. Smith is a series regular on CBS' hit, NCIS: Los Angeles. Gabriel is a composer for film, television, and theater. Unable to sit still, they began creating work together as an outlet for their own unique brand of weird.
KEY CAST Renée Felice Smith, Matt Bush, Nelson Franklin
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 8:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
FRI, NOV 10 10:00 AM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
SAT, NOV 11 7:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
THE LOUNGE
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THE ESSENCE OF NAPA VALLEY Carneros Resort and Spa is the authentic Napa Valley escape. Nestled on 28 bucolic acres lined with pristine paths ideal for meandering and stylish cottages with modern amenities, we offer unrivaled refined relaxation. P R I VAT E C O T TA G E S | FA R M R E S TA U R A N T | B O O N F LY C A F É | M A R K E T | S PA AT C A R N E R O S | PA N O R A M I C V I E W S
C A R N E R O S R E S O R T. C O M | 7 0 7. 2 9 9 . 4 9 6 0 | N A PA VA L L E Y
THE LOUNGE Total Run Time: 95 min
Lounge Shorts
SHOWTIM ES
THU, NOV 9 1:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA FRI, NOV 10 8:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 8:30 PM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA
Here lies an assortment of wacky, hysterical, and unorthodox tales, at times veering into the supernatural and surreal.
Lemon
Frankie Keeps Talking The Final Show
Rekindled
Seconds after the wedding, a bride is stunned to learn that her new husband fudged nearly everything about his past, his family, and his accomplishments.
A young woman realizes that her date will literally not stop talking. She goes to hilarious, absurd, and dangerous lengths for his attention.
After her passing, Betty must decide, with the help of her friend Marion, which of the significant men in her life she should spend eternity with.
RUN TIME 12 min DIR/SW Annabelle Attanasio PROD Lizzie Shapiro CAST Annabelle Attanasio, Alex Hurt
RUN TIME 9 min DIR/SW Dana Nachman PROD Ric Smith CAST Marion Ross, Nancy Dussault, Peter Mark Richman, Jerry Douglas
Unlucky in love, 30ish Kate uses a magical groupon to reconnect with her high school boyfriend only to discover that he is still sixteen years old.
Brosé
The Arrival
Margoland
When they can't find any beer in the fridge, two dudes decide to try a bottle of rosé. What starts as a session of reluctant quaffing takes a surprising turn.
A little boy feels betrayed when his mother has another son and decides to give her a taste of her own medicine by summoning another mother.
A badass old lady tries to escape from her retirement home to spread her late wife's ashes at the Big Nickel in celebration of their anniversary.
RUN TIME 12 min DIR/SW Timothy Michael Cooper PROD Simon TaufiQue, Surina Jindal CAST Jennifer Westfeldt, Noah Bean, Jenn Lyon, Finn Douglas
RUN TIME 10 min DIR/SW Creston Whittington PROD Janey Feingold CAST Evan Holtzman, Joey Bicicchi
RUN TIME 13 min DIR/PROD Dawn Luebbe, Jocelyn DeBoer SW Natalie Metzger CAST Elias Harger, Michael McMillian, Jocelyn DeBoer, Dawn Luebbe
RUN TIME 14 min DIR/SW Sarah Simone PROD/SW Sarah Quan CAST Pam Hyatt, Xavier de Guzman, Michael Buchanan
RUN TIME 13 min DIR/PROD Erin Brown Thomas PROD Jane Hollon SW Kelly Vrooman CAST Kelly Vrooman, Dylan Riley Snyder, Asher Grodman, Aaron Schwartz
Working On My Short: A Short Film About Figuring Out What My Short Film Should Be About Will can't decide what his short film should be about. On his journey of creative discovery, he asks his friends (including a few celebrities) for advice.
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THE LOUNGE
RUN TIME 15 min DIR/PROD/SW Will Greenberg PROD Pete Monro CAST Will Greenberg, Angela Trimbur, Chris Pine, John Forest, Katie Lowes, Michael Showalter
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Meticulously Hand-Crafted Wines
A Stunning Location
An Experience Like No Other
We embody the philosophy that great winemaking begins in the vineyard.
A world-class equestrian facility dedicated to training top performance horses.
Taste our wines, tour the winery, mingle with the horses and enjoy stunning views.
1251 Tubbs Lane Calistoga, CA 94515 | 707.942.2100 | www.tamberbey.com
Two outstanding Napa Valley wineries - one unforgettable experience.
Tastings offered daily 10am - 4pm appointments recommended
(888) 354-8885 Reservations@Duckhorn.com 1000 Lodi Lane St. Helena, CA Duckhorn.com
Tastings offered daily 10am - 4pm appointments required
(866) 367-9943 Reservations@Paraduxx.com 7257 Silverado Trail Napa, CA Paraduxx.com
NARRATIVE SHORTS
NARRATIVE ONE Small Talk The Poet brief. Awarewolf Barrio Buttercup Da Capo Terminal
NARRATIVE TWO Real Artists Time Is a Place Negrรณn (A Tennis Short) Brothers Anna The Dam
NARRATIVE THREE After All Gema Visitors Laboratory Conditions Again Life Boat
NARRATIVE SHORTS Total Run Time: 86 min
Narrative One
SHOWTIM ES
Life comes with its share of struggles both large and small. Fortunately the power of human connection and relationships help us cope.
Small Talk
The Poet
RUN TIME 10 min DIR/SW Becca Gleason PROD Alex Greer CAST Nicholas Braun, Leah Bobbey, Georgie Flores
RUN TIME 7 min DIR/PROD Adam Cushman PROD David J. Phillips SW Christopher Redman CAST Christopher Redman, Mackenzie Astin
Barrio
Buttercup
Two exes meet by chance for the first time in years. Between idle chatter and catching up, unspoken thoughts and feelings are expressed through song.
Carlos has always called the Mission District of San Francisco his home. He now must face the many challenges of his neighborhood becoming gentrified. RUN TIME 10 min DIR/PROD/SW Alexi Papalexopoulos PROD/SW Arianna Papalexopoulos CAST Chris Petrovski, Brandon Wardle, Marisa Barley, William Armando
After the Second World War, an inspired poet takes the stage at a swinging nightclub where jazz music meets spoken word.
Maggie is dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death when her bubbly friend Janie unexpectedly swoops in to help her process her grief. RUN TIME 12 min DIR/SW Megan Brotherton PROD/CAST Megan Brotherton, Elizabeth Bates
TUE, NOV 7 5:30 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA THU, NOV 9 10:00 AM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA SAT, NOV 11 9:30 AM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
brief.
Awarewolf
RUN TIME 14 min DIR Sammi Coheni PROD Joseph Patrick O'Malley, Katie Hilliard, Naomi Rhema SW Joseph Patrick O'Malley, Katie Hilliard CAST Joseph Patrick O'Malley, Katie Hilliard
RUN TIME 9 min DIR/SW Dan Damman, Chris Thomas PROD Reena Dutt CAST Nicolas Yurkevich, Michelle Maxson, Arash Marandi, Marguerite Insolia
Da Capo
Terminal
RUN TIME 14 min DIR Barbara Stepansky PROD Madeleine Mindling, Abraham Amkpa SW Caroline Bloom CAST Caroline Bloom, Moe Irvin
RUN TIME 10 min DIR/SW Raji Barbir CAST Kelsey Glasser, Bob Barr
Shot in one continuous take, boy and girl meet at a pretentious art exhibit. The two playfully banter and bond, but must eventually face their inner demons.
The exchange of a used piano forces two strangers to confront their failures in music. At what point should someone give up the pursuit of their passions and dreams?
Geneva, a former gymnast living in San Francisco, will do whatever it takes to help her son win a prestigious yoga competition. But at what cost?
Elderly Frank and young Anne meet through a dating site for the terminally ill. The two form an unlikely bond while discussing what to do with their remaining time on earth.
NARRATIVE SHORTS
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NARRATIVE SHORTS Total Run Time: 79 min
Narrative Two
SHOWTIM ES
From different cultures to reality bending scenarios, take a walk in someone else’s shoes and gain a new perspective.
Real Artists
Aspiring animator Sophia scores an interview at the world famous Semaphore Animation Studios. During her visit, she discovers a disturbing truth about the studio she admires. RUN TIME 12 min DIR/PROD/SW Cameo Wood PROD Ryon Lane, Alexa Fraser-Herron CAST Tamlyn Tomita, Tiffany Hines, Connie Jo Sechrist, Natalie Conneely, Sammy Wegent
Time Is a Place
A woman and man keep meeting in their dreams. As they try to find each other in waking life, surprising truths are revealed about the event that connects them. RUN TIME 8 min DIR/SW Tim Nackash PROD Dustin Highbridge, Jefferis Gray CAST Kerry Knuppe, Nick Heyman, Blaine Vedros, Time Winters
Anna
The Dam
RUN TIME 18 min DIR/SW Petra Priborska PROD Jirí Mádl CAST Eliska Krenková
RUN TIME 16 min DIR/SW Brendon McDonall PROD Ilana Lazar CAST Chris Haywood, Martin Vaughan, Felix Haywood, Blake Bowden
Negrón (A Tennis Short)
Having recently given up the game, Santiago “Sueño” Negrón reflects on his relationship with his dying father, Primo, who always wanted him to be a professional tennis player. RUN TIME 10 min DIR/PROD Christopher Santiago PROD Harry Drennan, Elisabeth Durkin, Jon Simon SW Eugene Michael Santiago CAST Gabe Hernandez, Eugene Michael Santiago, Jayden Toledo
Brothers
When war hits the California coast, a 19-year-old takes desperate action to get his little brother to safety in the final hours before his deployment. RUN TIME 15 min DIR/PROD/SW Troy Elliott PROD Sara Bailey CAST Jeff Pridgen, Bradley Bundlie, Eva Swan, Mariel Flores, Tanya Alexander, Gregory Kenyon
Two men visiting a dam that defined their young lives are confronted by feelings that were impounded long ago, but cannot be contained any longer.
NARRATIVE SHORTS
Having spent her childhood in communist Czechoslovakia, Anna, now an immigrant in New York City, struggles to pursue her dream of higher education in the U.S.
WED, NOV 8 1:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA FRI, NOV 10 7:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA SUN, NOV 12 1:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA
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NARRATIVE SHORTS Total Run Time: 84 min
Narrative Three
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 10:30 AM NATIVE SONS HALL, ST. HELENA FRI, NOV 10 8:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 1:00 PM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
Travel to the darker side of life, exploring family and relationship struggles and dealing with loss and questions of self-worth.
After All
Gema
Visitors
RUN TIME 13 min DIR/SW Michael Cusack PROD Richard Chataway CAST Michael Cusack, Rachel Verdonk, Henry Wishart
RUN TIME 12 min DIR/SW Kenrick Prince PROD Jonathan Federico, Valencia Whaley CAST Mj Rodriguez, Ari Blinder
RUN TIME 15 min DIR/PROD/SW Alon Juwal SW Kseniya Yorsh CAST Nick Unger, Kei'la Ryan, Tim Juliano
Again
Life Boat
RUN TIME 11 min DIR Alexis Jacknow PROD Stephanie Marin, Tyler Evans SW Bekah Brunstetter CAST Aubrey Dollar, Morrison Keddie
RUN TIME 18 min DIR/SW Lorraine Nicholson PROD Elizabeth Gilpin, Ross Levine CAST Elizabeth Gilpin, B.K. Cannon, Chloe Bridges, Hopper Penn, Kwame Boateng, Moises Arias, Stephen Dorff
After all is said and done... all that is left are memories. A man cleans out his childhood home while recalling past conversations with his late mother.
A man watches Groundhog Day over, and over, and over again as a strange woman brings him his lunch. Will the heart recover what the mind has lost?
Gema is forced into an emotional confrontation when her fiancé admits that he’s still harboring a sensitive and potentially damaging truth from his parents.
While visiting their estranged father at his farm, Cole and Kayleigh find themselves facing unearthly visitors with mysterious and sinister intentions.
Laboratory Conditions While searching for a missing body, a physician discovers a secret lab where scientists are attempting to prove the existence of the human soul. RUN TIME 16 min DIR Jocelyn Stamat PROD Joe Russell SW Terry Rossio CAST Marisa Tomei, Minnie Driver
A guidance counselor leads six teenagers into a hypothetical game of survival that becomes progressively more disturbing and emotionally draining.
NARRATIVE SHORTS
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[ 38° 17' N. Latitude, 122° 14' W. Longitude ]
W E L L BE H AV E D P EOP L E
S E L DOM M A K E H I S T ORY… Home to 126 acres of the original “smuggled” grapevine clones, California’s first estate Barrel Cooperage, and 21 variety and clone specific estate wines.
Experience the legend and the lore of Napa Valley’s original maverick and his wines www.caldwellvineyard.com
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS DOCUMENTARY ONE
The Other Side
Three Boys Manzanar All American At Midnight Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber A Few Things About Robert Irwin The Collection Before The Bridge
DOCUMENTARY TWO Washed Away Tiphany Blind Sushi Cab Elvis Hop Dreams Top Row One Hundred Ascents
DOCUMENTARY THREE Generationals We Climb Mountains Make It Work: The Idea Colgin: An Uncommon Journey Caviar Dreams The Tables
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS Total Run Time: 68 min
Documentary One
SHOWTIM ES
WED, NOV 8 1:30 PM CHARLES KRUG WINERY, ST. HELENA THU, NOV 9 5:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 10:00 AM JAM CELLARS BALLROOM, NAPA
A compelling series of retrospective stories and a glimpse at what the future may hold.
The Other Side
Deported musician Jose Marquez has been separated from his daughter for almost 15 years. Once a month, they meet on either side of the USMexico border wall. RUN TIME 6 min DIR/PROD Griselda San Martin CAST Jose Marquez, Susana Marquez
Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber
Told from the perspective of a young photographer in 1916, discover the forgotten legacy of Lois Weber, the highest paid silent film director at Universal Studios.
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A beautiful bittersweet story of the 70-year old reunion of three men interned at Camp Manzanar as children: incarcerated by circumstance and bound together by history.
72 years after D-Day, WWII paratrooper Les Cruise flies again on the very same old plane. This time, his family boarded with him. Dramatic reenactments help tell his heroic story.
At Midnight
RUN TIME 7 min DIR Preeti Deb PROD Micro Documentaries
RUN TIME 9 min DIR/PROD Michael Ayjian, Stephen Skeel
RUN TIME 4 min DIR/SW Amber McBride PROD Wen Yi Yan CAST Maria Finlay
A Few Things About Robert Irwin
The Collection
Before The Bridge
RUN TIME 11 min DIR/PROD Adam Roffman
RUN TIME 18 min DIR Lewis Wilcox PROD Lewis Wilcox, Savannah Mark
Pioneering Light and Space artist Robert Irwin explored the nature of perception for over six decades. His innovative work challenged the definition of what art can be. RUN TIME 7 min DIR/SW Lisanne Skyler PROD Erin Wright
Marilyn and DJ paid $2,000 for an old movie letterpress blocks they found at an antique shop in Nebraska. The collection is now appraised to be worth millions of dollars.
57 years ago, Maria escaped from Hungary to Australia where she married a director who made a film about her life. Now she tells her version of the story.
Automation is projected to replace 47% of current U.S. jobs within the next 20 years. Can humans find work and purpose in an ever-changing automated world?
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
RUN TIME 6 min DIR Svetlana Cvetko PROD David Scott Smith, Elizabeth Banks, Benjamin Alfonsi SW Lisa Di Trolio, David Scott Smith CAST Elizabeth Banks, Anne Brochet, Cristina Rambaldi, Stina Nielsen, Carol Monda
Three Boys Manzanar All American
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DOCUMENTARY SHORTS Total Run Time: 88 min
Documentary Two This collection of shorts follows unique and inspiring individuals as they courageously navigate life’s many obstacles.
WED, NOV 8 5:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA FRI, NOV 10 8:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 9:45 AM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
Washed Away
Tiphany
Blind Sushi
Cab Elvis
RUN TIME 16 min DIR/PROD Dana Nachman
RUN TIME 5 min DIR Justin Ferrato PROD Kai York CAST Tiphany Adams
RUN TIME 17 min DIR Eric Heimbold
RUN TIME 10 min DIR/PROD Andrew Franks
Hop Dreams
Top Row
One Hundred Ascents
RUN TIME 7 min DIR/PROD Greg Runnels, Mark Runnels
RUN TIME 17 min DIR/PROD Karin Argoud
RUN TIME 16 min DIR/PROD Steve Rokks PROD Steve Rokks, Ashley Rokks, Tyler Sharp, Hannah Rush SW Steve Rokks, Joseph Capps, Jonah Ingram CAST Hans Florine, Jayme Moye, Fiona Thornewill,Tommy Caldwell
Though he suffers from chronic pain, Bay Area artist Brandon Anderton creates giant mosaic masterpieces in the sand. His art is made even more beautiful by its impermanence.
Tiphany Adams is a paraplegic fashion model. Her ambition and drive to reach for her dreams is a truly inspiring story of perseverance and hope.
Travis Rogers has taught the Napa High School men’s choir for 37 years, creating an artistic community as well as a team atmosphere as tightknit and rigorous as with any physical sport.
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
In an industry almost entirely dominated by men, Melissa Myers has carved out a niche as one of the few female brewmasters with her Oakland brewery, “The Good Hop.”
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SHOWTIM ES
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A blind adventure writer partners with the first sustainable sushi chef in search of a culinary solution to a serious global ecological problem.
Cab driver Dave Groh has become a local Seattle celebrity by dressing up as Elvis. Despite personal adversity, Dave strives to spread Elvis’ message of love.
World famous climber Hans Florine is ascending El Capitan in Yosemite for an astonishing 100th time. He is accompanied by fellow climbers Jayme Moye and Fiona Thornewill.
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DOCUMENTARY SHORTS Total Run Time: 81 min
Documentary Three
SHOWTIM ES
These stories show us that when people come together to collaborate and build a community, anything is possible.
Generationals
Navigating the ins and outs of the creative process, the members of indie band Generationals sets out to carve their own path and create music on their own terms.
We Climb Mountains
Take an inspiring journey with a group of unlikely mountain climbers as they attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, proving that they can overcome any obstacle put in their path.
RUN TIME 15 min DIR JJ Gerber, Anthony Maiuri PROD JJ Gerber CAST Ted Joyner, Grant Widmer
RUN TIME 10 min DIR/PROD Dylan Trivette PROD Melanie Trivette
Caviar Dreams
The Tables
RUN TIME 15 min DIR/PROD Brian Gersten, Liv Dubendorf, Wei Ying PROD Joe Presser, Arlin Golden CAST Dirk Fucik, Dr. Jeff Hinshaw, Inga Saffron
RUN TIME 15 min DIR/PROD Jon Bunning
Take a fish-farm-to-table journey through the history, culture, and environmental impact of one of the world's most iconic and unique delicacies.
WED, NOV 8 9:30 AM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA FRI, NOV 10 8:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA SUN, NOV 12 8:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA
Make It Work: The Idea
Colgin: An Uncommon Journey
RUN TIME 19 min DIR/PROD Kern Konwiser
RUN TIME 7 min DIR/SW Amani King PROD Dalia Burde, Erin Wright CAST Kyle MacLachlan
Though many students at Phillips Elementary School in Napa live below the poverty line, they don’t let that stop them from aspiring to greatness and improving their community.
Narrated by Kyle MacLachlan, this short film about Napa Valley's Colgin Cellars beautifully explores the winemaking philosophy of the winery and its owners.
A colorful look at the powerful connection between a pair of outdoor ping pong tables in New York and the unlikely group of people they’ve brought together.
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
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NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A DRAMATIC ENTRANCE. PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
N A P A VA L L E Y W I N E S 707.224.2211 • EL EV ENEL EVENWINES . COM
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SHORT FEATURES SHORT FEATURES ONE And Though The Music Ended, We Danced On Through The Night Chocolate Your Day
SHORT FEATURES TWO Standing/Still Standing Little Warriors Love 99
SHORT FEATURES THREE The Act of Being Knife Skills Dinner in Abruzzo: A Journey Home with My Culinary Godfather
SHORT FEATURES FOUR Pieces of String: A brief history of the artist Robert Winokur Wishmakers The Spirit & Spirits of Port Costa
SHORT FEATURES Total Run Time: 82 min
Short Features One
A collection of touching narratives about the different ways we handle loss.
And Though The Music Ended, We Danced On Through The Night
29 min
The lives of three disparate people dealing with loss — a grieving mother, a man with early stage Alzheimer’s, and a lonely nurse — intersect through one tragic moment, examining the role technology plays in connecting us to each other and to our past. NICK POLLACK has been awarded an Australian Director's Guild award for his work directing commercials. He has also released one novel, two children’s books, and four short films. He is currently developing his first feature. DIRECTOR Nick Pollack PRODUCERS Aaron Bush, Nick Pollack, Marisa Zamora SCREENWRITER Nick Pollack, Ryan Hayward KEY CAST Debra Lawrance, Tom E. Lewis, Emily Gruhl, Tom Carney, Dom Russell
Chocolate
22 min
A suburban housewife and mother suddenly finds herself homeless and lost in downtown Los Angeles. Unable to remember who she is or even her own name, she wanders the dangerous streets of skid row desperately searching for her daughter. THIAGO DADALT is a self taught editor, writer, and director from Brazil. He now lives in Los Angeles where he works on a variety of TV and film projects. He was a nominee for Best Director at The MADRID IFF 2016. DIRECTOR Thiago Dadalt PRODUCERS Thiago Dadalt, Dru Miller, Andre Chesini SCREENWRITER Thiago Dadalt KEY CAST Piercey Dalton, João Bounassar, Amy Argyle, Talia Bacha
Your Day
31 min
Jack and Jane meet at a hotel room for a special occasion. Jack has carefully planned a set of activities, including a junk food buffet and a scavenger hunt. As their day unfolds, the reason for their celebration is revealed. GINGER GONZAGA is an improviser, actor, writer, and director best known for her roles in Togetherness, I’m Dying Up Here, Wrecked, Legit, Mixology, Ted, and Dean. Your Day is Ginger’s directorial debut. DIRECTOR Ginger Gonzaga PRODUCERS Adam Dubowsky, Ginger Gonzaga SCREENWRITER Ginger Gonzaga KEY CAST Jason Ritter, Ginger Gonzaga, Dave Theune, Ellen D. Williams
SHOW TI MES
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SHORT FEATURES
THU, NOV 9 SAT, NOV 11
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SHORT FEATURES Total Run Time: 105 min
Short Features Two
No matter what challenges they face, the subjects of these documentaries find their own techniques to overcome adversity.
Standing/Still Standing
39 min
Matthew Sanford is a paraplegic yoga instructor who transforms people’s lives with his unconventional teaching methods. Three people turn to Matthew as a last resort, only to discover they may gain more than what they believe to have lost. NDREW WALTON's first documentary Arctic Son premiered at Full Frame Film Festival and was broadcast on POV to wide acclaim. His documentary The Thing That Happened garnered the Grand Jury Prize at the UN Film Festival. DIRECTOR Scott Simonsen PRODUCERSAndrew Walton, Dallas Brennan Rexer SCREENWRITER Scott Simonsen KEY CAST Matthew Sanford, Angelique LeLe, Bruce Kramer, Burness Britt and Ann Richardson
Little Warriors
21 min
A group of young people, aged 9 to 20, successfully inspired their City Council to pass a youth-led Climate Recovery Resolution action plan, making Indianapolis the largest city in the United States to do so. SAM MIRO is a television and film director, editor, writer, and producer. His first two films were based on the criminalization of homelessness in the city of Indianapolis. Little Warriors is his third film. DIRECTOR Sam Miro PRODUCERS Jim Poyser, C. Thomas Lewis
Love 99
43 min
Los Angeles has a long-standing community of 99-seat theaters that allow actors and creators to produce and present their work without anyone having to be paid. When a rule change is threatened, actors fight back to maintain creative and artistic freedom. VERONICA BRADY has directed over 100 plays, founded three theatre companies, worked on countless television and film productions, and received an Emmy® and numerous Ovation and LA Weekly awards. DIRECTOR Veronica Brady PRODUCERS Veronica Brady, Daniel Henning, Shaina Rosenthal, Graham Sibley SCREENWRITER Scott Simonsen KEY CAST Amir Levi, Daniel Stewart, Deborah S. Craig, Frances Fisher, Graham Sibley, Helen Mirren, Katie Lowes, Michael Shepperd, Rebecca Mozo, Richard Azurdia
SHORT FEATURES
S H OW T I M ES
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WED, NOV 8 9:45 AM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA SUN, NOV 12 5:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA NVFF.ORG
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SHORT FEATURES Total Run Time: 102 min
Short Features Three
Self-expression brings people together, even in the most unlikely circumstances. These documentaries show some of the unique ways this is possible.
The Act of Being
28 min
During the middle of a national crisis on policing, visionary theater director Michele Wells brings together police and formerly incarcerated people on a Richmond community stage for dialogue and perhaps even reconciliation. CASEY BECK is a director who has had many of her projects at film festivals. She currently works at California State University East Bay, where she teaches video and mentors emerging media makers. DIRECTOR Casey Beck PRODUCERS Casey Beck
Knife Skills
40 min
What does it take to build a world-class French restaurant? What if the staff is almost entirely men and women just out of prison? What if most have never cooked or served before, and have barely two months to learn their trade? THOMAS LENNON’s work in documentary film has earned him an Academy Award®, three Oscar® nominations, and numerous additional accolades. He also co-founded the China AIDS Media Project. DIRECTOR Thomas Lennon PRODUCERS Thomas Lennon
Dinner in Abruzzo: A Journey Home with My Culinary Godfather
21 min
Chef James Rigato and his culinary godfather Luciano Del Signore travel to Luciano’s parents’ hometown in Abruzzo, Italy, to attend Luciano’s cousin’s wedding and to cook for many of James’ Italian relatives for the first time MARK KURLYANDCHIK is a restaurant critic for the Detroit Free Press and a filmmaker. His video work has appeared on HBO, PBS, and MSNBC, and can frequently be seen on Freep.com. Dinner in Abruzzo is his second film. DIRECTOR Mark Kurlyandchik PRODUCERS Mark Kurlyandchik, Nicole Avery Nichols KEY CAST James Rigato, Luciano Del Signore
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SHORT FEATURES Total Run Time: 101 min
Short Features Four
Artistry comes in many forms and has the power to build community. Experience the satisfaction that comes with the act of creation.
Pieces of String: A brief history of the artist Robert Winokur
27 min
On the occasion of a major exhibition by the Philadelphia Museum of Arts, internationally recognized artist Robert Winokur considers the source of inspiration in his 60-year career working with clay. MICHAEL WINOKUR is a writer, director, and cinematographer. His work has garnered many industry awards, including recognition from Graphis, American Photography, and APA. DIRECTOR Michael Winokur KEY CAST Robert Winokur
Wishmakers
35 min
Tulip Winery was established in the Village of Hope, a residential adult special needs community in Israel's Jezreel Valley. The winery fosters a caring environment while providing employment, dignity, and purpose for the residents. Director-Producer-Documentarian CHERYL HALPERN is a co-founder and partner of HQ Creative LLC, an Emmy Award®-winning production company and branding agency serving clients around the world. DIRECTOR Cheryl Halpern PRODUCERS Cheryl Halpern, Elena Lefkowitz, Mitchell Stuart SCREENWRITER Cheryl Halpern, Elena Lefkowitz, Alex Dolginko
The Spirit & Spirits of Port Costa
39 min
Small town, big stories. Port Costa was one of America's most important towns in the 1800s. Meet the extraordinary handful of folks who remain in this quirky and resilient California outpost that's way, way off the beaten path. DAVID SWOPE is a director and creative director of independent films and advertising commercials. He recently directed Good Man, an award-winning short documentary about the San Quentin Prison Arts Program. DIRECTOR David Swope PRODUCERS David Swope
SHORT FEATURES
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Research for 14 straight years now. They have grown into an organization that made $8.8 million for cancer research last year at the fundraiser we do together.” The Napa Valley Film Festival has grown from a trial run with 6 films and an after-party in 2010 to 250 screenings, 50+ theater and event venues, and 10 major parties across the Valley. Tom and The Lux have practically been there from the beginning. It’s that kind of passion and perseverance that NVFF looks for in its partners. “For me, the projects I’m most passionate about tend to be those where we are a core contributor to the whole. The Film Festival is a great example, where we get to be a part of
In the theater, we learn how to collaborate with each other. It really takes the collaboration of all different artistic fields to make a final product.”
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Tom Durante The Lux Productions
Event production has a “behind the curtain” association to it. When all goes well and the event runs smoothly, no one bats an eye. When something goes wrong on the other hand, everyone notices. But there is no magic on the other side of the curtain. As an attendee, what you see is real, and what you experience is the result of months of preparation and dedicated professionalism. Enter Tom Durante, President of The Lux Productions, and long-time partner of the Napa Valley Film Festival. Tom found his way into the event production and design business by way of theatrical design, earning his masters in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton. While living in Napa, Tom volunteered for the Queen of the Valley hospital’s fundraiser fashion show. But in 2001, after two years with an unsatisfactory level of gear and quality of resources, he decided to do something about it. Tom utilized his education and background in theatrical production to found The Lux
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Productions in Sonoma, instilling a set of core values that hold true to this day among his staff. “In the theater, we learn how to collaborate with each other. It’s not just about the lighting designer, or the scenic designer, or the director, or the actor. It really takes the collaboration of all different artistic fields to make a final product.” The Lux is no different. “It’s about us, it’s about the rental company, it’s about the entertainment, it’s about the food, it’s about the client. How we can put all of those elements together to make a cohesive project.” NVFF can certainly relate to this. Tom and The Lux have partnered with the festival since its second year. And even though a 6-year partnership is something special, it’s on par with Tom’s modus operandi. “16 years into this, most of my clients have grown with me—personally and professionally. I have worked on the V Foundation for Cancer
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the process. We’re not just a vendor.” Take an event like the Festival Gala for example. It’s a red-carpeted spectacle, where for one night out of the year 1,500 people get to dress up like they’re going to Jay Gatsby’s. This year the party will be held at the CIA at Copia in downtown Napa. “This venue is one of my favorites. We did it 3 or 4 years ago, and I just thought the flow was particularly nice because it’s open air space. We really get to create what we want in there. It’s more of a blank canvas for us to really create a good vibe.” As immense and elaborate as the Gala can be, remember: it’s just one night. “It’s a major event during the week, but it’s not the only major event for the Festival. So balancing everyone’s time and energy and making sure we’re giving the attendees a good project is important. But it’s not solely about the Gala. It’s making sure the Festival team knows that they can count on us to get our work done so they can go get the rest of the festival done.” And that is what makes Tom Durante and The Lux Productions such an incredible partner to the Napa Valley Film Festival. So here’s to another fantastic festival and a long-lasting creative partnership.
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS DOCUMENTARY FEATURES California Typewriter Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution Rebels on Pointe To the Edge of the Sky
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Liyana 40 Years in the Making — The Magic Music Movie
Man In Red Bandana Served Like A Girl Blood Road The Ataxian
NARRATIVE FEATURES Back to Burgandy Breakable You Bernard and Huey Dog Years
EDUCATION & OUTREACH Filmmakers in the Schools Teen Press INSPIRE 2017 Student Film Competition
CULINARY FEATURES Food Evolution Poisoning Paradise Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table New Chefs on the Block Fermented Wasted! The Story of Food Waste Constructing Albert Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen
Community Screenings
THE WHINNIES! Don't Shoot the Zebra Pony Taming Wild: A Girl and A Mustang
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Liyana
A Swazi girl embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her young twin brothers. This animated African tale is born in the imaginations of five orphaned children in Swaziland who collaborate to tell a story of perseverance drawn from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. Their fictional character’s journey is interwoven with poetic and observational documentary scenes to create a genre-defying celebration of collective storytelling. AARON KOPP is an award-winning filmmaker and Emmy®-nominated cinematographer. Aaron shot and co-produced the Oscar®winning documentary Saving Face. He was also cinematographer for The Hunting Ground. AMANDA KOPP is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer. She was producer and cinematographer for Likhaya and The Hunting Ground. Amanda’s photographic work has been published in the UK, US, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Pakistan, and Italy.
40 Years in the Making — The Magic Music Movie
With their original songs, acoustic instruments, and tight harmonies, Magic Music was a tremendously popular band in Boulder, Colorado in the 60s and early 70s. Living in teepees, cabins, and converted school buses up in the Boulder mountain canyons, the band only left their camp to grace city-folk and university students with their sweet melodies. Although they had many brushes with fame, the group never made a record deal and broke up in 1976. Now, lifelong fan and television producer Lee Aronsohn has set out to get the band back together for one final show. Television producer LEE ARONSOHN is credited for work on shows such as The Love Boat, Murphy Brown, Cybill, and is best known as one of the creative minds behind television’s beloved hit sitcoms Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory
RUN TIME 77 min
RUN TIME 99 min
DIRECTORS Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
DIRECTOR Lee Aronsohn
PRODUCERS Thandie Newton, Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp, Davis Coombe, Sakheni Dlamini, Daniel Junge
PRODUCERS Lee Aronsohn, Fleur Saville
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For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Saturday screening of 40 Years in the Making - the Magic Music Movie, followed by a live musical performance by Magic Music. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
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Ten years ago, Jean (Pio Marmaï) left his family and their family-run winery in Burgundy to tour the world. Learning of his father’s imminent death, he returns to his childhood home from Australia where he’s working for a major wine company. There, he reunites with his sister Juliette (Ana Girardot), and his brother Jérémie (François Civil).Their father passes away just before the harvest begins. Over the course of a year, in sync with the rhythm of the seasons, the three young adults rediscover and reinvent their familial bonds, maturing and blossoming along with the wine they are making. (French Language, English Subtitles)
Breakable You chronicles a turbulent and transformative year in the lives of the Wellers, a dynamic New York City family: divorced couple Eleanor (Holly Hunter) and Adam (Tony Shalhoub), their daughter Maud (Cristin Milioti), and Adam’s brother Paul (Alfred Molina). The characters traverse the turbulent and complex waters of divorce and infidelity as they come to terms with morality, themselves, and each other. Andrew Wagner’s Breakable You explores the choices we make when life gives us more than we think we can bear.
Breakable You
Back to Burgundy
CÉDRIC KLAPISCH is a French writer and director. His successful films, Chacun Cherche Son Chat and Un Air de Famille, impressed critics and audiences alike and helped establish Klapisch as a man with considerable talent for capturing the nuances and flow of human interaction.
ANDREW WAGNER has directed the awardwinning feature films Starting Out In The Evening and The Talent Given Us. He also developed his adaptation of The Man Who Gave Up His Name at the Sundance Writer’s Lab and was the cinematographer on Julie Delpy’s feature Looking for Jimmy. RUN TIME 120 min DIRECTOR Andrew Wagner
RUN TIME 113 min
PRODUCERS Kevin Fitzmaurice Comer
DIRECTOR Cédric Klapisch
SCREENWRITERS Fred Parnes, Andrew Wagner
PRODUCERS Cédric Klapisch, Bruno Levy SCREENWRITERS Cédric Klapisch, Santiago Amigorena, Jean‑Marc Roulot
KEY CAST Holly Hunter, Tony Shalhoub, Cristin Milioti, Omar Metwally, Alfred Molina
KEY CAST Pio Marmaï, Ana Girardot, François Civil
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For non-passholders, tickets are available for the Sunday screening which will include an onstage conversation between French Consul General Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens and vintner Jean-Charles Boisset.
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This program supported by the French American Cultural Society
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Bernard and Huey starts with post-collegiate Huey (a roguish ladies man played by David Koechner) and Bernard (his nebbishy best friend played by Jim Rash) tearing up the Manhattan nightlife in the late 1980s. Twenty-five years later, a washed up Huey arrives on the doorstep of Bernard, now a successful New York bachelor. As the two reconnect, Bernard starts a relationship with Huey’s estranged daughter Zelda (Mae Whitman), an aspiring graphic novelist. Meanwhile, Huey gets his mojo back and tries to seduce various women in Bernard’s life, while reconnecting with his own family. Eventually, at least one of them realizes that he might wind up having to marry a woman old enough to be his wife.
Former A-List movie star Vic Edwards (Burt Reynolds) is forced to face the reality that his glory days are far behind him when he reluctantly flies to Nashville to be presented with what he thinks is a Lifetime Achievement Award from a prestigious film festival. Upon arrival, he finds that the so-called festival is merely a bunch of star-struck film geeks who show movies in the back room of a bar. Embarrassed and outraged, Vic leaves and convinces Lil (Ariel Winter), the emotionally unstable girl assigned to be his driver, to take him across state to Knoxville where he grew up. Together, this unlikely pair embark on a soul-searching tour of the landmarks of Vic’s long-ago youth.
Bernard and Huey
Dog Years
DAN MIRVISH's last award-winning feature film Between Us, played in 23 festivals in 7 countries, including NVFF. Dan is co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival and a member of the NVFF2017 Artists-inResidence workshop faculty. RUN TIME 91 min
ADAM RIFKIN is a writer/director whose work includes Director’s Cut and Giuseppe Makes a Movie. He also wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Look, The Dark Backward, and Detroit Rock City, and wrote the screenplays for the family friendly Mousehunt, Underdog, and Small Soldiers.
DIRECTOR Dan Mirvish
RUN TIME 94 min
PRODUCERS Bernie Stern, Dan Mirvish
DIRECTOR Adam Rifkin
SCREENWRITER Jules Feiffer
PRODUCERS Neil Mandt, Gordon Whitener, Adam Rifkin, Brian Cavallaro, Brett Thomason
KEY CAST Jim Rash, David Koechner, Mae Whitman
SCREENWRITER Adam Rifkin KEY CAST Burt Reynolds, Ariel Winter, Chevy Chase, Clark Duke, Ellar Coltrane Courtesy of A24 SHOWTIM ES
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From Academy Award® nominated director, Scott Hamilton Kennedy (The Garden, Fame High, OT: Our Town), and narrated by esteemed science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, Food Evolution is set amidst a brutally polarized debate marked by fear, distrust, and confusion: the controversy surrounding GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Traveling from Hawaiian papaya groves to banana farms in Uganda to the cornfields of Iowa, each new piece of evidence causes the audience and film subjects alike to wrestle with their emotions and continue to perpetuate one of the most heated arguments of our time.
Journey to the seemingly idyllic world of Native Hawaiians, where communities are surrounded by experimental test sites and pesticides sprayed upwind of their neighborhoods. Poisoning Paradise details the ongoing struggle to advance bold new legislation governing the fate of their island home. Interviews with local residents, scientists, and healthcare professionals reveal the hardships and ecological dangers of intensive and continuous pesticide applications, and the environmental injustice thrust upon people living in Hawaii.
Food Evolution
Poisoning Paradise
Academy Award® nominee SCOTT HAMILTON KENNEDY is a writer, director, producer, cameraman, and editor who has worked on everything from documentary and scripted film, music videos, commercials, motion capture animation, as well as scripted and reality television.
DIRECTORS Scott Hamilton Kennedy
TERESA TICO is a Hawaii-based attorney and film producer. She turned her legal skills to film production, producing the environmental documentaries Learning To Sea, Going To Antarctica, Miss South Pacific, and Fishing Pono.
PRODUCERS Scott Hamilton Kennedy, Trace Sheehan
RUN TIME 60 min
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RUN TIME 92 min
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KEELY SHAYE BROSNAN is an award-winning broadcast journalist turned award-winning documentary filmmaker. She has nurtured a diverse career covering a wide range of topics, from environmental journalism and animal advocacy to celebrity journalism and apprehending fugitives.
SCREENWRITERS Scott Hamilton Kennedy, Trace Sheehan
DIRECTORS Keely Shaye Brosnan, Teresa Tico
KEY CAST Neil deGrasse Tyson
PRODUCERS Keely Shaye Brosnan, Teresa Tico, Pierce Brosnan
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When 18-year-old Ella Brennan went to work at her family’s bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the 1940’s, America had no idea what was about to hit the culinary world. While overcoming a lifetime of personal and familial struggles, Ella persevered to not only raise the bar in the New Orleans culinary scene, she also launched the careers of Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, Tory McPhail, and many others. She created iconic dishes from scratch that have since become world famous, and built two of America’s most renowned restaurants from the ground up; Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace. Through it all, Ella Brennan was driven by one goal: to bring true hospitality and the finest dining experiences to the Big Easy.
New Chefs on the Block follows two chefs and their staffs in Washington, DC as each struggles to open and maintain his first restaurant. Against all odds, one becomes an overnight sensation, winning Bon Appétit magazine's Best New Restaurant in America award and a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. The other is forced to redefine success when his wife quits her high-paying job to work at the restaurant full-time. The film stars Aaron Silverman of Rose's Luxury and Frank Linn of Frankly...Pizza! and features legendary chefs and restaurateurs Michel Richard, Danny Meyer, and Mike Isabella, as well as Washington Post food writer Tim Carman.
Ella Brennan: New Chefs on Commanding the Table the Block
LESLIE IWERKS is an Academy Award® and Emmy®-nominated director and producer. For over a decade, she has produced, directed, and edited award-winning feature and short documentaries, television specials, tributes, corporate films, and digital content.
DUSTIN HARRISON-ATLAS is a filmmaker who has worked in the creative media industry for more than a dozen years. He was featured by LinkTV as a “Rising star in documentary filmmaking” and is currently the director of photography on a National Geographic Wild series.
RUN TIME 93 min
RUN TIME 96 min
DIRECTOR Leslie Iwerks
DIRECTOR Dustin Harrison-Atlas
PRODUCERS Leslie Iwerks, Michael E. Tang
PRODUCERS Dustin Harrison-Atlas, Adrian Muys KEY CAST Aaron Silverman, Frank Linn
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Fermented
In Fermented, author and chef Edward Lee explores how the ancient processes of fermentation are used in modern cuisine both at home and abroad. The culinary world has named fermentation the hottest food trend of the present moment. Filmmaker Jonathan Cianfrani frames one man’s journey as the point of entry into the deep dark world of delectable decay, and what it means to be a part of humankind. Look deeper, get dirty, and discover the beauty in rot. JONATHAN CIANFRANI is a director, producer, and editor on the EMMY® and the James Beard Award-winning The Mind of a Chef. For the last five years, he has documented chefs around the world, constantly seeking out new ways to share their culinary passions with a food-loving audience.
Wasted! The Story of Food Waste Every year, 1.3 billion tons of food is thrown out. With onethird of the world's food being tossed away even before it reaches the plate, it's time to shed new light on what is food and what is garbage. Through the eyes of chef-heroes like Anthony Bourdain, Massimo Bottura, Dan Barber, and Danny Bowien, we'll learn how the world’s most influential chefs battle food waste—transforming what most people consider garbage, scraps, and rejects into incredible dishes that feed more people, impact the bottom line, and create a more sustainable food system. ANNA CHAI is an Emmy Award®-winning director and producer known for her work on the James Beard Award-winning series The Mind of a Chef and The Layover.
RUN TIME 67 min DIRECTOR Jonathan Cianfrani
NARI KYE is the creator of Wasted! The Story of Food Waste and is an Emmy Award®-winning producer of The Mind of a Chef and the Peabody Award®-winning series, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
PRODUCER Jared Andrukanis KEY CAST Edward Lee
RUN TIME 85 min DIRECTORS Anna Chai, Nari Kye PRODUCERS Anthony Bourdain
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This program courtesy of Neon
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Constructing Albert
The most important revolution in culinary history took place in a remote cove on the Catalan coast. The Big Bang of creative discovery that was El Bulli sparked from the minds of two brothers from a poor suburb of Barcelona, and gave birth to a new gastronomic universe. Since then, the name Adrià has become synonymous with culinary creativity. Older brother Ferran is the famous maestro people know. With 29 years of a brilliant career behind him, the only recognition his younger brother Albert has achieved is that of being the most underrated chef in the world. LAURA COLLADO has worked on many documentaries and series including People and Power, Under Pressure, Yorgos, La Casa, and Life from others. She is the founder of Trueday Films. Constructing Albert is her directorial debut. JIM LOOMIS has been working in documentary for fifteen years. His credits include films produced for broadcasters such as BBC, DK, ARTE, Al Jazeera International, CNN, TVC, and TVE. RUN TIME 81 min
Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen Buckle up for a mouth-watering in-depth exploration of the world famous Michelin Guide. What started as a tire company’s attempt to get customers to drive more has evolved into the international gold standard of restaurant ratings. This guide to gastronomy is as notorious as it is famous, with chefs and food writers admiring the star system as well as questioning or in some cases even loathing and fearing it. Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen takes us behind the scenes of the Michelin inspectors’ process and interviews top chefs and critics to uncover their views on what it means to have, or not have, one, two, or three Michelin Stars. RASMUS DINESEN is an award-winning director of film, television, and music videos. Rasmus made his feature debut with The Forbidden Team. He later directed the TV-series Star Chefs about Michelin-starred restaurants, chefs, and the launch of the Nordic cities guide. RUN TIME 82 min
DIRECTORS Jim Loomis, Laura Collado
DIRECTORS Rasmus Dinesen
PRODUCERS Laura Collado
PRODUCERS Jesper Jarl Becker
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California Typewriter Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution
California Typewriter is a lovingly crafted portrait of artists, writers, and collectors who remain steadfastly loyal to the typewriter as a tool and muse. It also movingly documents the struggles of California Typewriter, one of the last standing repair shops in America dedicated to keeping the aging machines clicking. Doug Nichol’s film delivers a thoughtprovoking meditation on the changing dynamic between humans and machines, and encourages us to consider our own relationship with technology, old and new.
DOUG NICHOL began his career as a DP shooting rock and roll documentaries. Moving into directing, he made hundreds of music videos and music documentaries for various recording artists. He later began working in advertising, creating and directing many award-winning campaigns for iconic brands. RUN TIME 103 min DIRECTOR Doug Nichol PRODUCERS John Benet, Doug Nichol KEY CAST Tom Hanks, John Mayer, David McCullough, Sam Shepard
Filmmaker Jamie Redford embarks on a colorful personal journey into the dawn of the clean energy era as it creates jobs, turns profits, and makes communities stronger and healthier across the US. Unlikely entrepreneurs in communities from Georgetown, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, and throughout California reveal innovative clean energy solutions. Jamie’s discovery of how clean energy works, and what it means at a personal level, becomes a revelation to the audience as well. Reaching well beyond a story of technology and innovation, Happening explores issues of human resilience, social justice, embracing the future, and finding hope for our survival. JAMIE REDFORD writes, produces, and directs for film and television. He is also the Co-founder and Chair of The Redford Center, a nonprofit media entity that engages people through inspiring stories that galvanize environmental action. His films Toxic Hot Seat and The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia have both played NVFF. RUN TIME 75 min DIRECTOR Jamie Redford PRODUCERS Jamie Redford, Jill Tidman, Nancy Abraham
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SCREENWRITER Jamie Redford
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Rebels on Pointe
To the Edge of the Sky
Rebels on Pointe follows Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the all-male, drag ballet company founded over 40 years ago on the heels of New York's Stonewall riots. The company has performed in over 500 cities and 33 countries, and has a cult following spanning the globe. Bobbi Jo Hart’s timely film celebrates our shared humanity through universal themes of identity, dreams, family, love, loss, determination, and resilience, proving that a ballerina is not only defined as a woman dancing, but can also be an act of revolution in a tutu.
To the Edge of the Sky tells of the heroic and inspirational battle fought by four American mothers whose sons are diagnosed with the degenerative Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As the women go up against the FDA, directors Todd and Jedd Wider intimately record their transformation from everyday moms into the country's leading political activists pushing the government to allow access to a potentially life-saving drug to combat this fatal disease. Their story of unrelenting strength in the face of institutional adversity shows us that change is possible if you are willing to fight for it. This is a film about the power of courage, hope against all odds, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.
BOBBI JO HART has directed award-winning documentaries for 20 years, often filming alone to obtain greater intimacy with her characters. Rebels On Pointe follows her last award-winning feature documentary I Am Not a Rock Star, which toured worldwide festivals, including NVFF2012.
TODD AND JEDD WIDER have produced numerous critically and commercially successful documentary films. In 2011, the Producers Guild of America nominated each of them for “Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures.” Their directorial debut God Knows Where I Am played at NVFF2016.
RUN TIME 90 min DIRECTOR Bobbi Jo Hart PRODUCERS Bobbi Jo Hart, Robbie Hart For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Friday screening of Rebels On Pointe. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
RUN TIME 120 min DIRECTORS Todd Wider, Jedd Wider PRODUCERS Brian Ariotti, Todd Wider, Jedd Wider
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After he had stayed behind to help others escape the oncoming destruction, 9/11 hero Welles Crowther was tragically killed in the lobby of the South Tower when it collapsed on top of him. After eight months, recounts of his bravery finally surfaced with the help of one ordinary object … a red bandana. Director Matthew Weiss retraces the unique manner in which his heroics became known, as well as his last inspirational hour (his finest hour) saving others from the upper reaches of the South Tower.
Many female veterans struggle with PTSD, broken families, serious illness, and military sexual abuse. Years ago, a group of veterans turned to competing in a Ms. Veteran America competition as a way to adapt and overcome. In Served Like A Girl, the stories of a handful of these women build through riveting drama to the grand finale. We watch them transform before our eyes as they recover lost parts of self and identity. We are left with a deepened understanding and appreciation of the diverse American women who join the military, and what happens to them when they return from serving their country.
Man In Red Bandana
MATTHEW WEISS has been a practicing attorney for 27 years. He first learned of Welles’ story from his banker, Welles’ father, and was blown away. He immediately wanted to share Welles’ story and embarked on making his first feature length film. RUN TIME 80 min DIRECTORS Matthew J. Weiss PRODUCERS Chad A. Verdi, Joshua Sason, Matthew J. Weiss SCREENWRITERS Matthew J. Weiss
RUN TIME 90 min PRODUCERS Lysa Heslov, Linda Perry
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Saturday screening of Man In Red Bandana, followed by an in-depth discussion with the filmmaker. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
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LYSA HESLOV is a director and producer who, along with her husband Grant Heslov, founded Children Mending Hearts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth in the US through educational and humanities programs that build empathy and global citizenry.
DIRECTORS Lysa Heslov
KEY CAST Gwyneth Paltrow
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Served Like A Girl
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SCREENWRITERS Lysa Heslov, Tchavdar Georgiev For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Saturday screening of Served Like A Girl, followed by an in-depth discussion with the filmmaker. Please visit nvff.org/tickets/
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THU, NOV 9 10:00 AM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA SAT, NOV 11 2:00 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE NVFF.ORG
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WED, NOV 8 1:30 PM CAMEO CINEMA, ST. HELENA SAT, NOV 11 5:30 PM LINCOLN THEATER, YOUNTVILLE @NAPAFILMFEST
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Blood Road
The Ataxian
Rebecca Rusch, affectionately known as “The Queen of Pain,” is among the greatest female ultra-endurance mountain bikers. Although she’s used to pushing her body to its limit, nothing could prepare her for the emotional journey as she pedaled 1,200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in search of where her father’s plane crashed during the Vietnam War. Rebecca is joined by Vietnamese competitive biking champion Huyen Nguyen. While Nguyen helps Rusch understand the cultural context of her quest, the women forge a deep bond triggered by a shared experience of war and loss.
Racing against the clock and living in a nightmarish reality, road cyclist Kyle Bryant decides to face his life-threatening medical condition - Friedreich’s Ataxia - head on in an attempt to save the lives of thousands. While asking what it means to be alive, The Ataxian is a touching, entertaining, and heartwarming adventure story that takes its audience across the United States over nine days during the world’s most grueling sporting event, "The Race Across America". ZACK BENNETT has acted in dozens of features, shorts, commercials, and television. Zack and lifelong friend Kevin Schlanser decided to produce and direct their first feature together.
NICHOLAS SCHRUNK is the creative director at Red Bull Media House. Schrunk uses his passion for film to develop, direct, and produce stories for Red Bull’s slate of commercials and feature films.
KEVIN SCHLANSER was hired to shoot and edit the viral YouTube sensation Lonelygirl15, followed by a web series addition to the show Harper’s Island. He also directed The Utopian.
RUN TIME 96 min DIRECTOR Nicholas Schrunk PRODUCER Sandra Kuhn KEY CAST Rebecca Rusch, Huyen Nguyen
RUN TIME 74 min
Special Event, Ride with Rebecca! Friday, November 10
DIRECTORS Zack Bennett, Kevin Schlanser
Prior to the screening at the Cameo, join Rebecca Rusch for a thrilling off-road ride through the undulating hills of Napa Valley. Special package includes the ride, lunch at Clif Family Winery, screening, and wine reception. Visit: http://jointherusch.bpt.me/
PRODUCERS Zack Bennett, Kevin Schlanser, Nathan Lee Adams
For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Saturday screening of Blood Road, followed by an in-depth discussion with the subject. Please visit nvff.org/box-office/tickets/
Special Event, Bike Ride! Sunday, November 12 Prior to the screening at Copia, join the film team for a ride from downtown Napa up-valley through the vineyards. Special package includes the ride, lunch, screening, and wine reception. Visit: http:// theataxian.bpt.me/
Generously supported by Grace Family Foundation
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FRI, NOV 10 5:15 PM FREEMARK ABBEY, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 1:15 PM THE COPIA THEATER, NAPA NAPAFILMFEST
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EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Our Education & Outreach Programs are dedicated to creating specially curated opportunities for Napa Valley youth. We bring socially conscious films to local students and schools, and also offer in-classroom instruction and hands-on internship opportunities year-round. We want the eye-opening art and inspirational power of cinematic storytelling and the stories themselves to be an integral part of the student learning experience.
FILMMAKERS-IN-THE-SCHOOLS
Support for education & outreach
Each year, a special selection of festival films are offered for teachers to screen in the classroom the week prior to the festival. We invite the filmmakers and film subjects to visit classrooms during the festival week to engage in interactive student discussions. Students are prepared for the opportunity to meet these artists and documentarians that are helping to put curriculum into real-world perspective.
Valedictorian
T HE AL L E N F E E S T GROUP
• The Ataxian (p. 135) • Food Evolution (p. 128) • Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution (p. 132) Salutatorian
• LA 92 (p. 50) • Skid Row Marathon (p. 84)
TEEN PRESS
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Teen Press develops young students’ research, listening and interviewing skills. Two teams of student journalists will step outside of their comfort zone to interview Red Carpet attendees and other special festival guests.
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Grace Family Foundation
LEF Foundation
Thank you
• BLUE OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL directed by 7th & 8th grade Math advisor Kristina Webster • HARVEST MIDDLE SCHOOL directed by Journalism teacher Joe Paniagua
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Fiona Barnett
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Brenda & Marc Lhormer
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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
INSPIRE 2017
EVENT DETAILS
INSPIRE is a multi-school field trip for Napa and Solano County middle and high school students during the festival week. Students gather to watch documentary films and participate in extended discussions with filmmakers and their inspirational subjects. Due to the increasing popularity and success of this program, we have implemented multiple INSPIRE days, reaching more students than ever before. Young minds will open, horizons will expand, lives will change. INSPIRE is a core component of our Education & Outreach Programs.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Lincoln Theater | Yountville
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 American Canyon High School
FEATURED FILMS FOR INSPIRE 2017
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
The Gateway Bug (p. 81) Man In Red Bandana (p. 134)
St. Helena High School
STUDENT FILMMAKERS A collection of student films showcase the Napa Valley as a launching place for the next generation of filmmakers. Students were provided opportunities to express their vision and stories, and to present their final products to a festival audience. Selections are from our own Student Film Competition and the Cameo Cinema’s Family Film Festival. ATTN: Napa - Put Down the Tech and Be Direct New Tech High School The Making of ATTN: Napa New Tech High School The Bond of Two Jakob Madsen Justin-Siena High School DARK American Canyon High School, Literature & Film Class 94558 Steven Silva Justin-Siena High School
Auteurs of Today Kane Garcia American Canyon High School
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10:00 AM A Collection of Shorts from Local Filmmakers • Napa County Student Films (see left for Student Filmmakers) • Make It Work: The Idea (p. 113) • Top Row (p. 112)
Imagine Alonzo Navarro, Malcolm Hardy, Max von Strasser Justin-Siena High School
12:30 PM
A Boy and his Bot Ben Weslow, Dylan Cavaz, Kyle Delonis, Rachel Carey Justin-Siena High School
The Ataxian (p. 135)
3:00 PM Fermented (p. 130)
Mama Mia, Pizzeria Nick Reynoso, Garrett Berger, Andrew Heun, and Paul Morlet Justin-Siena High School
5:30 PM LA 92 (p. 55)
8:00 PM Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution (p. 132)
Cameo Cinema Family Film Festival Winners: Grand Prize: Megan Steiger High School: Gabby Gomez
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New this year, we are offering free community screenings at the Napa District Auditorium on FRIDAY, NOV 10. This venue will be open to all non-passholders, with priority given to students and their families.
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Xeno Gabby Gomez St. Helena High School
EMILEE: A Human Rights Short Film Robyn Elizabeth Yan American Canyon High School
FREE COMMUNITY SCREENINGS
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Morgan Stanley is proud to support
Napa Valley Film Festival Education & Outreach Programs Allen Feest Group at Morgan Stanley John Allen Portfolio Management Director Senior Vice President Financial Advisor 1478 Stone Point Dr. Suite 500 Roseville, CA 95661 +1 916 797-7731 John.L.Allen@ms.com http://fa.morganstanley.com/AllenFeestGroup/ CA Insurance Lic. #OB93219, #0K76762 NMLS #619894, #1412445
© 2017 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
SUP001 CRC 1688173 01/17 CS 8653056 10/16
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
THE WHINNIES! BEST OF EQUINE FILM Total Run Time: 66 min
Partnering with guest curator Kimberly Carlisle, THE WHINNIES! BEST OF EQUINE FILM presents films that inspire, inform, celebrate, and advocate for the horse/human partnership. This year, the program includes two beautiful films shown together, with ample time for extended discussion with the filmmakers and subjects. For non-passholders, tickets are available for advance purchase for the Sunday morning presentation of The Whinnies. For full details and to purchase tickets, please visit: nvff.org/tickets/
Don't Shoot the Zebra Pony Ziggy, a hybrid zebra-pony cross, was bred as a novelty, but had hoof issues and was impossible to tame. The owner was considering shooting her, until Caroline Hegarty, Founder of “Equitopia,” jumped in to help. KATHRYN LAURITZEN has spent 30 years in radio and audio production, leading her into video production. With Padman Video, she has combined her passion for horses with her love of shooting and editing. RUN TIME 23 min DIRECTORS Kathryn Lauritzen PRODUCERS Caroline Hegarty
Taming Wild: A Girl and A Mustang What if horses were given a choice? Would they let us ride them? Without force or tools to control, and without bribes to lure them? Elsa Sinclair sets out on a journey with a wild mustang to answer these fascinating questions. ELSA SINCLAIR is a horse trainer and instructor who is continuing the Taming Wild journey with a second movie in the works, a book soon to be out, and an ever-growing community of equine and human student collaborators. RUN TIME 43 min DIRECTORS Elsa Sinclair PRODUCERS Kevin Smith SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
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WED, NOV 8 8:00 PM FARMSTEAD THEATER, ST. HELENA SUN, NOV 12 10:00 AM UPTOWN THEATRE, NAPA #NVFF17
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VERDI PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS FROM PRODUCER CHAD A. VERDI
ACADEMY AWARD
NOMINEE Best Cinematography
OFF SCREEN Artists-In-Residence Festival Faculty Screenplay Competition Lexus Short Films The CIA at Copia Intermission Culinary Demonstrations Variety's 10 to Taste Farmstead Artisan & Wine Pavilions Live Music
ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
PROVIDING SPACE AND TIME FOR REFLECTION, RESEARCH, AND NETWORKING
Made possible by
For the seventh consecutive year, the directors of the eighteen films in our Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature Competitions will stay at Meadowood Napa Valley while participating in our innovative Artists-inResidence Program. New this year, they will be joined by the two Grand Prize Winners from our inaugural Screenplay Competition in partnership with Screencraft and Coverfly. These talented storytellers will network with each other, discuss new projects and explore career development and industry trends with our esteemed Festival Faculty. Meadowood also sponsors the $10,000 cash prizes presented at Saturday evening’s Awards Ceremony to the filmmakers whose films are chosen by our Jury as Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature.
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NARRATIVE FEATURES LEA THOMPSON
ANDREW KIGHTLINGER
MICHAEL BERRY
CATHERINE EATON
SHERWIN SHILATI
The Year of Spectacular Men
Tater Tot & Patton
Stuck
The Sounding
People You May Know
NADINE TRUONG
PETER LIVOLSI
SOPHIE BROOKS
DAVID HEINZ
I Can I Will I Did
The House of Tomorrow
The Boy Downstairs
American Folk
JENNIFER M. KROOT
MARK HAYES
DELILA VALLOT
AMANDA LADD-JONES
JOHANNA B. KELLY
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
Skid Row Marathon
Mighty Ground
Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies
The Gateway Bug
JOANNA JAMES
THOMAS SIMMONS
JENNIFER TOWNSEND
A Fine Line
Coyote
Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise
REUBEN ATLAS, SAMUEL D. POLLARD
AMY HUCKABAY
NANCY DUFF
Sam Rockwell Can’t Die
Dead Drop
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
ACORN and the Firestorm
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS
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FESTIVAL FACULTY MENTORS & MODERATORS
A talented and experienced set of industry professionals share their insights and expertise with our core competition filmmakers at the Artists-in-Residence Program at Meadowood. They also host special screenings and presentations, and mingle with all of our filmmakers and audience members throughout the week of the festival. Several of our esteemed Jurors also participate; they are listed separately on pages 44 - 45. Dan Mirvish is a co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival. His last awardwinning feature Between Us played in 23 festivals in 7 countries, including NVFF. His most recent feature Bernard and Huey is playing NVFF17.
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Jim Rash is the oscar-winning screenwriter of The Descendants, starring George Clooney and directed by Alexander Payne, and the writer and co-director of The Way Way Back, starring Steve Carrell.
Lee Aronsohn is a television producer credited for work on shows such as The Love Boat, Murphy Brown, Cybill. He is also one of the creative minds behind television’s hit sitcoms Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.
Jenny Lumet is the screenwriter of the Oscar and Golden Globe nominated film Rachel Getting Married. She recently wrote the screen story for Universal’s The Mummy and the musical adaptation of the 1983 classic, Valley Girl.
Emily Dell is an award-winning director, writer and Director of Education for screenwriting platform ScreenCraft. Her screenplays and films have aired on Showtime, iTunes, Netflix, El Rey Network and Amazon Prime.
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Cathleen Sutherland is an Oscarnominated and award-winning producer of Boyhood. She is also the producer of Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, which is playing in the NVFF17 Lounge Program.
David Glasser is President and Chief Operating Officer of The Weinstein Company. David is responsible for the day-to-day management and development of TWC’s ever-expanding portfolio of entertainment industry businesses.
Morrie Warshawski works with nonprofits and filmmakers to help them create roadmaps to a better future through strategic planning. Warshawski is the author of Shaking the Money Tree, and The Fundraising Houseparty.
Alexis Garcia is a partner in WME|IMG’s Global department, where he packages financing and distribution for film and television projects, and consults financier and corporate clients on strategic entertainment and media investments.
Joanne Butcher was Associate Producer on the TLC show Addicted and Global Marketing Curator for YouTube’s UK movie channel. She works with filmmakers to make their vision a reality by focusing on the business aspects of film.
Noland Walker manages a portfolio of ITVS-funded programs and co-curates the Emmy Award-winning Independent Lens series. He has been a writer, producer, and director on numerous award-winning documentaries.
Jamie Redford is a writer, producer, and director for film and television. He is also Co-Founder and Chair of The Redford Center. His films Toxic Hot Seat and The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia have both played NVFF.
Daniel Lindsay is a Los Angeles filmmaker who won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary for his film Undefeated that played NVFF2011. His documentary film LA 92 is showing this year at NVFF.
Leslie Iwerks is an Academy Award® and Emmy-nominated director and producer. For over a decade, she has created awardwinning feature and short documentaries, television specials, tributes, corporate films and digital content.
T.J. Martin is a Los Angeles filmmaker who won the Academy Award® for Best Documentary for his film Undefeated that played NVFF2011. His documentary film LA 92 is showing this year at NVFF.
Nick Soares is a filmmaker, technologist, digital distribution leader, and CEO of GoDigital, Inc. The company helps filmmakers control their films’ releases while retaining 100% of their rights and revenue while also providing marketing and release strategies.
Darrien Michele Gipson is the National Director of SAGindie, an educational resource for independent producers looking to hire professional actors. Darrien was formerly the VP of Production for DEF Pictures.
Ed Ojdana is the Executive Chairman of GoDigital, Inc and founder of FreeCreditReport.com. His investments include Fullscreen, Base 79, and the award-winning Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Ed is also on the board of NVFF.
Andrew Miano is a film and television producer. He has partnered with writerdirectors Paul and Chris Weitz in their production company Depth of Field for the last 16+ years. He is the producer of the NVFF17 Lounge film A Happening of Monumental Proportions.
Elizabeth Sheldon is the founding partner and Chief Executive Officer of Juno Films. She implements a collaborative approach with filmmakers and producers to secure funding, and develop and execute bespoke all-rights releases.
Claudia Puig is president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. and a critic for NPR and The Wrap. She was USA Today’s film critic and a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times. Recently, Claudia was a speechwriter/ diversity consultant for AMPAS, and consulting program director for NVFF15.
Paul Zaentz has collaborated on many well-known films including Amadeus, The Mosquito Coast, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, At Play in the Fields of the Lord, The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Goya’s Ghosts.
Nnamdi Asomugha starred in and produced Amazon/IFC's Crown Heights. Prior to his film Nnamdi played in the National Football League with the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles for 11 years.
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OFF SCREEN
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION In partnership with Screencraft and Coverfly, we proudly debut our inaugural Screenplay Competition. The 2 Grand Prize Winners are participating as Artists-in-Residence. Acclaimed writers Jenny Lumet and Jim Rash are joining this year’s Festival Faculty to speak with our Artists-in-Residence about career development and creative evolution in storytelling. The 17 other Finalists are attending the festival as fellow “artists.” We congratulate them all. 2017 SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS Nancy Duff was a 2016 recipient of the ScreenCraft Fellowship and selected as a participant in The Writers Lab, created by IRIS and NYWIFT, supported by Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey. In 2017, the WeForShe Organization selected Nancy’s work for their annual WriteHer List, which highlights female-written television scripts.
Amy Huckabay is an actress and writer living in Los Angeles. She has a webseries called Managed, a recurring dream where her teeth are falling out, and has been known to get on stage and tell jokes from time to time.
FINALISTS Nicholas Clifford Bella & the Bear Chris Connolly The Players Gina Cresse Mona Lisa Caper
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Ryan Elkins Baggage Hannah Feller War/Love Jeffrey Gold Steen’s Folly
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Jennifer Grand Running a Thousand Miles Sheila Jenca Waitlist
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Ana Maria Montoya Sofie & Sam Roslyn Muir Matter Yvonne Paulin 13 Minutes
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Craig Paulsen Cops and Robbers Matthew Perkins The Mascot Scott Pittock Martyr
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Guy Polin Hemophilia Courtney Suttle Fire on Ice Michael Caleb Tasker Dusty NAPAFILMFEST
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LEXUS SHORT FILMS Lexus Short Films was launched in 2013 with the goal of supporting and nurturing a new generation of emerging filmmakers. Each winning director is provided with the opportunity to produce his/her short film, in collaboration with The Weinstein Company, and also promote their short films at film festivals around the world. Now in its 4th season, Lexus Short Films is looking to collaborate with filmmakers to create short films about TRANSFORMATION — a theme born from the Lexus brand’s belief that amazing things happen when you transform the ordinary into extraordinary. This year Taylor Sheridan, Patty Jenkins and Antoine Fuqua join the selection committee. Join us this year as Lexus and The Weinstein Company announce the winners for Season 4 during the Napa Valley Film Festival. Visit LexusShortFilms.com for more information. PRIOR SEASON FILMMAKERS Lexus Short Films Season 3 winners at NVFF16
Mitsuyo Miyazaki, A Better Tomorrow Christina Molino, Beyond Memories Special Problems, Echoes Chang Chung Ki, Pupil Justin Tipping, Swimming In Air Jon Goldman, Market Hours Satsuki Okawa, Operation Barn Owl Alexis Michalik, Friday Night Damian Walshe-Howling, Messiah Jeannie Donohoe, Game Kev Cahill, The Nation Holds Its Breath #NVFF17
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OFF SCREEN
THE CIA AT COPIA Down-Valley Festival Hub Originally conceived by Napa Valley legend Robert Mondavi as a center for food, wine and the arts, the CIA at Copia in Napa is now the public facing home of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). We are thrilled to partner with the CIA to create a central hub combining major programmatic components of the Napa Valley Film Festival: • • • • • • • •
Down-Valley Box Office Festival Store for cool branded gifts and apparel The Screening Room at Copia The Culinary Theater “Intermission” - afternoon wine-tasting and live music Interactive Exhibits from our top sponsors Virtual Reality (VR) Experience presented by HP in partnership with Intel The Festival Gala - our biggest night of celebration
The CIA at Copia also has a world-class restaurant, and is steps from the Oxbow Public Market. This is the perfect place to enjoy so much of the festival: from non‑stop film, food and wine… to engaging sponsor activations, live music, hanging with friends… to rubbing elbows with established and up-and-coming chefs, vintners, sommeliers and filmmakers alike. To all of that and more, we say: cheers!
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INTERMISSION PASSHOLDER ACCESS All Passholders (except Flex Pass)
Our new Intermission features live music and wines from several wineries, so you can experience Napa Valley wine without the hassle of driving and making appointments and shelling out tasting fees.
THURSDAY, NOV 9
FRIDAY, NOV 10
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The CIA at Copia | Napa
The CIA at Copia | Napa
90 PT+ Wines and CIA Guest Featured Wineries
Rosé All Day and CIA Guest Featured Wineries
This selection of stylish wineries and accomplished vintners will showcase wines that are all rated 90 points and above. These wines are sure to please any connoisseur on the block. Come experience the wines and visit with the winemakers who take great pride in what ends up in your glass.
This selection of vintners and wineries all feature a varietal of Rosé in their repertoire. With Rosé being so popular right now, every vintner is creating their own take on this versatile varietal. Try a Rosé of Grenache, then a Rosé of Syrah and finish off with a Rosé of Merlot! It is a Rosé all day kind of event!
SATURDAY, NOV 11
SUNDAY, NOV 12
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The CIA at Copia | Napa
The CIA at Copia | Napa
The Rutherford Dust Society and CIA Guest Featured Wineries
MAVA (Mexican American Vintners Association) and CIA Guest Featured Wineries
The Rutherford Dust Society was founded in 1994 by growers and vintners in tribute to the legacy of their grape growing and winemaking forebears. Since the late 19th century, the growers and vintners of Rutherford have played a significant role in the development of Napa Valley as a world-class winegrowing region.
Experience a dizzying array of exciting wines produced by MexicanAmerican vintners known for high quality standards and for promoting and supporting their many talented members. Wine varietals that will be showcased come from vineyards ranging from Carneros in the south to Calistoga in the north.
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CULINARY DEMOS Sip, Savor & Celebrate
WEDNESDAY, NOV 8
THURSDAY, NOV 9
Join us at this year’s Culinary Theater at the Napa Valley Vintners Theater at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Downtown Napa. Guests from our festival films are paired with local food and wine experts to share a cornucopia of creativity and mouth-watering insights. Sip, savor and celebrate.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Next Level Food and Wine for Film
STAY TUNED...
MaryAnn Worobiec Senior Editor, Wine Spectator
TBD
PASSHOLDER ACCESS All Passholders (except Flex Pass)
Wine Spectator Senior Editor MaryAnn Worobiec and CIA Chef Sandy Sauter, bring new meaning to Film, Food, and Wine. They’ll show us how to seriously prepare for an extremely flavorful moviewatching experience.
Finding the Beauty in the Rot
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3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Chef Melissa King
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Festival documentary Fermented comes to life in the Culinary Theater. Fermented filmmakers, surprise guest Chef Ed Lee, and Wine Spectator get up close and personal with the microbes that surround us. Taste through some fine wine , cheese and other unique fermented delights as we take a closer look at what this ancient process really means to humankind.
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THURSDAY, NOV 9 Not Your Typical Brussels Sprouts
THURSDAY, NOV 9 Chef Ed Lee | MaryAnn Worobiec Filmmakers of Fermented | Senior Editor, Wine Spectator
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We have something special brewing for this one, please check in on nvff.org, join us on Facebook, or download our new mobile app to get updates.
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Whole Foods Market Chef Ambassador Melissa King will be making Kimchi Roasted Brussels Sprouts, a fun twist on a favorite holiday side dish. These delicious, slightly spicy, a bit sweet, garlicky brussels sprouts were wildly popular at Whole Foods Market on the “hot bars” last holiday season!
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FRIDAY, NOV 10
FRIDAY, NOV 10
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Breaking Down The Fine Line
Knife Skills & Life Skills
Filmmakers of A Fine Line CIA Chefs Sandy Sauter & Anne Cornell-Krauss
Cala Restaurant Filmmakers of Knife Skills
David Lynch SOMMSELECT
Join Filmmakers and cast as of a A Fine Line and CIA Chefs as they break down the history of woman commanding the kitchen and what it really means to be a female chef. Guest chef appearance...
The film Knife Skills shows what it takes to build a world-class French restaurant in Cleveland...with almost the entire staff made up of previously incarcerated men and women. Join the Knife Skills Filmmakers and the folks behind SF Restaurant Cala, to get a taste of how the preparation and presentation of their exquisite cuisine is changing lives.
James Beard Award-winning sommelier and author David Lynch shares his passion for Italian wines, leading a tasting of Italy’s greatest red wines. David goes beyond the ‘technical’ aspects of wine and into the historical and geographic nuances of one of the world’s greatest wine cultures.
SATURDAY, NOV 11 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Not Wasted: Snout to Tail with Chris Cosentino
FRIDAY, NOV 10
OFF SCREEN
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Italy’s Iconic Reds
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
SATURDAY, NOV 11
Chris Cosentino | Wasted
Mastering “Blind” Tasting
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wasted discusses the current state of food waste and is certainly one of the most important food films ever made. Chef Chris Cosentino is no fan of food waste, notoriously putting every bit of his raw ingredients to use. This will be the most delicious snout to tail breakdown about cutting waste and feeding the hungry.
SUNDAY, NOV 12 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sushi and a Blindfold Chef Jake Rand Director of Blind Sushi
A Fish, an Olive, and a Bottle of Hangar 1 walk into a bar... Head Distiller Caley Shoemaker & Black River Caviar | Filmmakers of Caviar Dreams ...And all of a sudden, everyone is having mini martinis and caviar tastings. Hangar 1 Vodka’s head distiller Caley Shoemaker and Black River Caviar sustain your palate, while filmmakers from our documentary short film Caviar Dreams discuss the delicate balance between the demand and sustainability of this coveted delicacy.
Ian Cauble SOMMSELECT If you’ve ever wondered how professionals train for the tasting portion of the Master Sommelier exam, join Ian Cauble—a Master Sommelier and one of the stars of the film SOMM—for a blind tasting of 6 classic wines. Can you identify them without seeing the bottles? Learn how Ian breaks it down in this fascinating seminar. this fascinating seminar.
SUNDAY, NOV 12 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Let's Eat Some Bugs Everybody!
SUNDAY, NOV 12
We have all heard of a blind wine tasting, but have you ever heard of a blind sushi tasting? Didn’t think so. Accomplished local sushi Chef Jake Rand and Director of Blind Sushi, present the new wave of dealing with invasive aquatic species...Eating them. Let your palate get adventurous, strap on a blindfold, and try your luck.
SATURDAY, NOV 11
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Wine Break! Have a Stella Artois. CIA Chef Josh Anderson Wine is not the only beverage that goes well with food...have a cold Stella Artois...or two. Stella beer experts team up with the chefs at CIA to pair Stella with delicious cuisine you might not expect to go so well with beer.
CIA Chef Hilary Sullivan Filmmakers of The Gateway Bug Last but not least, we leave you with what might very well be a taste of the future. Filmmakers of our creepy-crawliest documentary of the fest The Gateway Bug and CIA Chefs dive deep into the reality of the culinary wave that is bug eating. It sounds gross right? Wrong. Watch this film and you will be first in line to try some crunchy critters.
OFF SCREEN
VARIETY’S 10-TO-TASTE
EVENT DETAILS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Ten uniquely talented chefs will showcase their fresh spin on dishes inspired by iconic film scenes. Invited participants include Bay Area chefs who are focused on presenting pop-up style experiences, rather than establishing themselves in brick and mortar locations. A distinguished panel of celebrity chefs, filmmakers and actors will sample the dishes (along with all attending guests), and then "dish" about personal favorites, the latest culinary trends and the role of food in film. Dishes will be paired with Stella Artois and select wines from Vintage Wine Estates.
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11:00 AM – 1:00 PM The CIA at Copia | Napa Presented by Food Network and Cooking Channel PASSHOLDER ACCESS Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls
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OFF SCREEN
FARMSTEAD Up-Valley Festival Hub As they do each year, our friends at rustic chic Farmstead Restaurant and Long Meadow Ranch Winery serve as the Up-Valley hub of the festival. Here you will find our up-valley box office, the intimate screening room in Farmstead’s private dining area, afternoon wine-tasting and Artisan Pavilions, delicious snacks on the go, and, as always, an opportunity for a fabulous sit-down meal before or after a screening.
LIVE MUSIC
PASSHOLDER ACCESS All Passholders (except Flex Pass)
HARVEST ACOUSTIC | THE DELECTABLES The Farmstead Summer Music Series has held the standard for great live music in the town of St Helena. NVFF is honored to keep the record spinning into the fall, putting on 4 days of live music, wine, and food. If you find yourself on the lawn at Farmstead listening to fine music at the film fest, you will find yourself in the heart of Napa Valley with a smile on your face.
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OFF SCREEN
WINE PAVILION
WINE PAVILION
THURSDAY, NOV 9 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
FRIDAY, NOV 10 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
NextGen
The Rutherford Dust Society
As younger representatives taking the reins of their established winemaking families, the group comprising Next Generation in Wine offers wine enthusiasts young and old an alternative way to access their wines and wineries. Come sample a bounty of top wines and meet the future of the Napa Valley Winemakers!
The Rutherford Dust Society was founded in 1994 by growers and vintners in tribute to the legacy of their grape growing and winemaking forebears from this very special section in the heart of Napa Valley. Since the late 19th century, the growers and vintners of Rutherford have played a significant role in the development of Napa Valley as a world-class winegrowing region.
ARTISAN & WINE PAVILION
ARTISAN & WINE PAVILION
SATURDAY, NOV 11 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY, NOV 12 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Integrated within the Wine Pavilion experience, local artisans will be displaying and selling their items of craft. Sip wine featured by Long Meadow Ranch, Clif Family Vineyards and Pope Valley Vineyards and browse through samples and demonstrations by the craftsmen themselves. Live music is also featured so you can groove to tunes while you sip and shop! This is a two-day, unique and interactive experience!
Come enjoy the creative talents of local artists and craftsmen while sampling prized varietals from Napa Valley vintners. Browse through the works of art on display and get the opportunity to purchase unique and one-of a-kind items. Located on the lawn at Long Meadow Ranch, you can enjoy the tunes played by live musicians, visit with local vendors and savor rare and delicious wines.
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Live Musicians • DJs • Lighting & Sound • Photographers • Videographers
Book us today for your wedding, winery or corporate event. ivyhillentertainment.com • booking@ivyhillentertainment.com • 510.210.3979
LIVE MUSIC FROM OUR FILMS Music is essential in bringing a good film to life. Each year at NVFF we bring the music to life with one of a kind performances by visiting musicians who have composed, played, or starred in one of the films from our current program.
MAGIC MUSIC
AMBER RUBARTH
RONALD TROY COLLINS
SAT, NOV 11 | 1:30 PM
Lead actress of the film American Folk (p. 63). Catch Amber playing live for the Q&A after every screening of American Folk. ...And keep an ear open around the festival for other surprise performances.
Main subject of the film Mighty Ground (p. 83) You don’t want to miss the live Q&A sessions with Ronald after each screening of Mighty Ground. You might even get an acapella performance
Uptown Theater | Napa (p. 125) Magic Music will be playing a rare, full live set with the entire band following the screening of Magic Music. In order to attend the live show, you must attend the film as well.
BAY AREA LOCAL MUSIC It’s important to support local music, and when local means S.F. Bay Area, the local music is really good. Ivy Hill Entertainment and NVFF create a mini music festival within the film festival with over 50 live performances throughout the festival. Here are just a few.
IVY HILL ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
AL GUZMAN TRIO
JEALOUS ZELIG
NOV 10 | 10:00 PM
NOV 11 | 8:30 PM
NOV 9 - 12 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Saint | St. Helena
The CIA at COPIA | Napa Farmstead | St. Helena.
Al Guzman on the vibes drives new sounds of Afro-Cuban beat.
The CIA at COPIA | Napa Festival Gala (p. 37)
Featuring Harvest Acoustic— Folk and Bluegrass, The Delectables—Jazz influenced artist collective, and much more
Sophisticated soul jazz with new sounds of the classics.
THE FAMILY FUNKTION
HIGH NOON
SERF & JAMES
NOV 11 | 10:30 PM
NOV 11 | 10:00 PM
NOV 12 | 9:00 PM
The CIA at COPIA | Napa Festival Gala (p. 37)
The CIA at COPIA | Napa Festival Gala (p. 37)
Wrap Party (p. 38)
Gonna make you shake shake shake.
High-energy acoustic powerhouse that gets crowds rockin'.
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Alt Rock, Blue Pop, Semi-Soul band hailing from Napa.
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In recognition of their outstanding contribution to animal-protection issues, JARR presents
IAN SOMERHALDER & NIKKI REED with the
2017 JAMESON ANIMAL RESCUE RANCH HUMANITARIAN AWARD The Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch Humanitarian Award celebrates those individuals who have shown outstanding compassion, advocacy and dedication to animal-protection issues. Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed exemplify JARR’s mission to show compassion to all animals in need and, by using their unique platform to bring a spotlight to animal-welfare issues, help further the work to end animal cruelty in all its forms.
jameson animal rescue ranch N A P A
V A L L E Y
JamesonAnimalRescueRanch.org 707-815-8153
Chairs to China
San Francisco / Bay Area 145 Park Lane Brisbane, CA 94005
415.570.0470 sales-sf@brightrentals.com
www.brightrentals.com
Linens to Lighting
Tables to Tents
Sonoma 22674 Broadway, Suite A Sonoma, CA 95476 Healdsburg 139 Healdsburg Ave Healdsburg, CA 95448
707.940.6060 sales-sonoma@brightrentals.com
ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS Cinema Napa Valley Festival Team Seasonal Staff & Partners Volunteers Culinary & Beverage Partners Winery Partners Media & Marketing Partners Lodging & Hospitality Partners Preferred Partners Venue & Event Partners Thank You
ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
CINEMA NAPA VALLEY MISSION The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a 501c3 non-profit organization that celebrates the cinematic arts and enriches the community by presenting an annual world-class festival and year-round education and outreach programs. 501c3 Tax ID# 27-1064967
BOARD Robert Jennings, Board Chairman Paratus Vineyards
David Glasser The Weinstein Company
Patrick Davila, Vice Chairman Meadowood Napa Valley
J. Todd Harris Branded Pictures Entertainment
Debra Crow, Treasurer Former VP/Treasurer, Yahoo! Inc.
Ron Hofmann BWR Public Relations
Don Shindle The Westin Verasa Napa
Michelle Baggett Alpha Omega Winery
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Chris Wendel Volta Industries, Inc.
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Marc Lhormer, Co-Founder Executive & Artistic Director Brenda Lhormer, Co-Founder Co-Director
Irene & Ed Ojdana Vineyard 511
Carissa Ashman C-StarPR, Inc.
Michael Woods Mount View Hotel & Spa
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Teresa Cunningham, Secretary Gaw Van Male, General Counsel Amy Siegel, Of Counsel O’Melveny & Myers
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
FESTIVAL TEAM Marc Lhormer
Brenda Lhormer
Ben Mahoney
Fearon DeWeese
EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CO-DIRECTOR
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
PATRON & VINTNER CIRCLE DIRECTOR
Whitney Haskin
Blair Hunt
Debbie Young
Bonnie Cullen
PROGRAM MANAGER
EDUCATION PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Logan Wroolie
Emma Steele
Heather Teague
Katie Carpenter
MARKETING MANAGER
MARKETING MANAGER
ADMINISTRATIVE LEAD
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Amy Brown
Meghan Hill
Michael Fox
Patricia Grant
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
MARKETING ASSISTANT
PATRON CIRCLE EXPERIENCE MANAGER
OFFICE MANAGER
Mecaela Miller
Jessica Thornton
Levi Hill
Melody Mahoney
GALA PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
FESTIVAL WINE COORDINATOR
MARKETING ASSISTANT
OPERATIONS CONSULTANT
Photo credit: Bob McClenahan
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
SEASONAL STAFF & PARTNERS Down Valley Operations Operations Crew
Hospitality
Professional Partners
Rodrigo Martinez Dave Gunn Logan Hershfeld Richard Looney Norm Barajas Patrick Sexton
Bernard Thomas Jack Bush Ravin Bush Russell Emerson Cory MacInnes Sam Towns Matt Chandler Kaycee Green Jeff Ernst
Donnell Corelle Lauren Auxier Ian Stewart Megan Goedewaagen
Cognition Studio Kristine Johnson Britt Barran-Stanley Jinna Hagerty
Interns
Eventbase
Marketing Social Media
Photographers Videographers
Up Valley Operations Justin Brownell Shawn Baker
Signage Team Ana Morrow Tim Kopra Gabriel Allen-Jones Nicholas Miller
Credentials Gene Lee Lauren Smith Kellie Damico
Sponsor Activation Brittany Weinerth Kristi Amoroso Tony Morales
Winery Operations Jessica Thornton Chelsea Boss
Culinary Operations Stephanie Graham
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Erin Keiffer Ben Simpson Joseph Chun
Stone Management Cat Stone Adam Stone
XSIGHT Photography & Video Bob McClenahan Patrice Ward
Projection
Special Events
Kent Long Vanessa O’Neill
Brittany Payton Lindsey Nickel
Patron Circle Lori Brooke Chris Vasquez Kevin Lang Melissa Clapper Gregory Haas Chaela Ciongoli Brittnie Sigamoney Juliana Folk Crystal Lynn Collins Chris Collins Justin Harp Ellis Sunni Barraza Cathy Lee Cory McInnnes Mona Stallard
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Gaw Van Male Teresa Cunningham
Sophia Cravea Irlanda Silva Falcon Davis Defur
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Education
BWR Public Relations Ron Hofmann Ashley Patterson Brittany Mathieu Erica Markle NobleRot Chris McCard
Tom Schrette Liz Schrette Chuck Neidhoefer Lissa Gibbs
XSIGHT Photography & Video Scott Rodier
Volunteer Coordination
Napa Valley Film Festival is proud to call 1400 Clay Street in Napa our yearround home. We extend tremendous gratitude and a heartfelt thank you to the Honorable Mae C. Woo. Mae is a former San Francisco Film & Video Arts Commissioner and currently the San Francisco City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission Vice Chair.
Katelyn Young Kali Hall Gianna Light Mary Madden
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O’Melveny & Meyers Julie Fei Amy Siegel
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Thank you to our 500 volunteers who devote time, energy and expertise to help make the festival a success. As trusted ambassadors, they are happy to assist you with all things festival.
Theater Managers
Village Coordinators
Copia Lounge Managers
Marla Arrambide Shauna Barry Janet Brown Fran Carpenter Stephen Carpenter Teri Cirillo Elaine De Man Susan Deprey Peter Galea Janice Humphrey Lynette Larsen Patty Lassen Cyndy Lesawyer Kim Moore Leo Myers Donna Napier Jim Napier Valerie O'Pry Amy Rice Brad Shurmantine Nancy Terhorst Richard Uschyk Antonio Wong Pack Warfield Susan Warfield
Alethea Candia Mark Gustafson Gus Guillen Harvey Hecht Vincent Lowe Laura Wallis
Crystal-Rose Britto Carla Gyetvan
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Jimmie Collins-Ware Sedrick Ware Allan Freaderick Cindy Freaderick Leslie Roberts Norm Buller
Wine Tasting Kay Wilson Crystal-Rose Britto Carla Gyetvan
Filmmaker Lounge
Box Office Managers
Laural Levin Patricia Flebbe
Greg Ciapponi Linda Herrera Karen Roe Jimmie Collins-Ware
Ballot Lead Chris Towns Bud Towns
Marketing Team
Ringmasters Allison Boyer Dania Denise Molly Detwiler Theresa Dorr Michael Duca Kelli Kute Jensen Roy Jimenez Jim Jones Laura Jones Jennifer King Neda Lahidji Gary Markovich Alicia Alexandra Nichols Shundria Reed Geoff Rice John Tunney
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Gala Managers
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Tony Beardsley Marcia Beauchamp Hunter Boon Bob Gligorea Linda Lucas Ellen Mehrens Naseem Moeel Dalfred Ross Karen Rossi Nancy Schlegel Sue Soffe
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
CULINARY & BEVERAGE PARTNERS GOLD
SILVER
CONTRIBUTING Compadres Rio Grille • Molinari Caffe • Prohibition Spirits
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
WINERY PARTNERS Acumen Wines
Herencia Del Valle
Provenance Vineyards
Alpha Omega Winery
Hewitt Vineyards
RD Winery
Beaulieu Vineyard
Honig Vineyard and Winery
Raymond Vineyards
Benchmark Wine Group
Italics Winegrowers
Reynolds Family Winery
Bonded Winery #9
JCB Collection
Rippey Family Vineyards
Broman Cellars
Jericho Canyon
Caldwell Vineyard
John Anthony Vineyards
RiverHouse by Bespoke Collection
Castellucci Napa Valley
Jose Wine Caves
Ceja Vineyards
Justicia Wines
Chaix Wines
Llamas Family Wines
Charles Krug Winery
Long Meadow Ranch
Clif Family Winery
MTGA Wines
Conn Creek Winery
Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley
Corley Family
Maldonado Family Vineyards
Darioush
Mario Bazan Cellars
Davis Estates
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards
Duckhorn Portfolio
Mathew Bruno Wines
Eleven Eleven Winery
Mexican American Vintners Association
Encanto Vineyards Etude Wines Fleury Estate Winery Flora Springs Winery Freemark Abbey Gibbs Napa Valley Grgich Hills Estate Handwritten Wines
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Robert Biale Vineyards Rombauer Vineyards Rutherford Dust Society Rutherford Hill Winery Rutherford Ranch Winery Scale Wine Group Scalon Cellars Shadowbox Cellars St. Supery Stewart Cellars Sullivan Vineyards Tamber Bey Vineyards
Monticello Vineyards
The Hess Collection
NextGen
Tres Sabores
Paratus Vineyards
Trujillo Wines
Patland Estate
VGS Chateau Potelle Winery
Peju
Vineyard 511
Pestoni Family Estate Winery
Wagner Family of Wine
Pope Valley Winery
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
MEDIA & MARKETING PARTNERS GOLD
SILVER
VERY NAPA VALLEY TA S T E
|
SEE
|
FEEL
WINE COUNTRY
THIS WEEK
CONTRIBUTING Opus Agency • Napa Chamber of Commerce • Calistoga Chamber of Commerce • Yountville Chamber of Commerce St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
LODGING & HOSPITALITY PARTNERS GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE North Block Hotel • Embassy Suites • River Terrace Inn Villagio Inn & Spa • Vintage House • Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa
CONTRIBUTING Andaz Napa • Napa River Inn • Chardonnay Lodge • Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort The Meritage Resort & Spa • Wine Country Inn
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
PREFERRED PARTNERS GOLD
The Official Glassware of the Festival
SILVER
Talos Secure Group, Inc. Protecting Your Success
BRONZE CPA Valet • Fun Flicks
CONTRIBUTING Shiftboard
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ORGANIZATION & PARTNERS
VENUE & EVENT PARTNERS GOLD
NPACLT Stacked Logo Color
Spot Colors
PMS 4515
PMS 202
PMS warm gray 9
SILVER
Black
Process Colors Light Tan C 0 M 8.5 Y 47 K 23.5
Deep Wine C 0 M 100 Y 65 K 47
Warm Gray C 0 M 15 Y 18.5 K 47
Black C 0 M0 Y 0 K 100
BRONZE Caldwell Snyder Gallery • E & J Gallo • Entire Productions LEF Foundation • Feast It Forward • SAGindie
CONTRIBUTING Pigment and Parchment
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THANK YOU Peter E. Abboud, Vintage High School Catherine Adams, River School Celeste Akiu, River School Rick Aldine Kirsten Ames Sally Archambault Renee Austin Sarah Aylard Joan Bailey Kristin Baird Hannah Bales, Silverado Middle School Carol & Bruce Barge Michael Barker Britt Barran-Stanley Iris Barrie Tony Beardsley Marcia Beauchamp Cory Black Christina Blakeney Jean-Charles Boisset Elaine Boloyan, American Canyon High School Hunter Boon Brian Boone Paula Borge Phyllis Boyson Tracy Brennan Karen Brocker, Silverado Middle School Lori Brooke Sara Brooks Ulla Brown Scott Brunn Cathy Buck, Cameo Cinema Linda Butterwick Javier Calderon, Napa Private Tours Louis Calli Chris Canning, Mayor of Calistoga Nancy Caron Fran Carpenter Stephen Carpenter Max Carpenter Sean Casady Bill Chadwick Eileen Chiarello Michael Chiarello Maria Cisneros, Valley Oak High Perry Clark Brittnie Clark Sigamoney Shirley Clauss Amber Cleveland Kelly Clift, NVUSD Ann Marie Conover John Conover Chris Cosentino Karin Cox, Robert Louis Stevenson Middle Cindy Dahlgren Kellie Damico Steve Davino Myles Davis Kathryn de Maigret Carole DeBell Trish Decker Jean DeLuca
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Keely Dervin Cindy Deutsch Chris DeWeese & Bodhi Patti & Glenn DeWeese Whitney Diver McEvoy John Dunbar, Mayor of Yountville Kathleen Edson Patrick Egan Janeen Ehrhart Michaela Eikenbary Elizabeth Emmett Michele Farhat Lorraine Fazzolare Cheryl Fiedler Beth Fitzgerald Joanna Frazier Michelle Frisch Greg Fuller Alan Galbraith, Mayor of St. Helena Joelle Gallagher Bonnie Gamble Sande & Larry Garica Karen Garcia Lissa Gibbs Bob Gligorea Lisa Gottfried, New Tech High Erika Gottl Jane Gould, Harvest Middle School Dick Grace Buddy Grant Jami Grassi Judith Graziani Adam Green Kali Hall Simon Halls Blake Hanson Heidi M. Harrison, Justin-Siena Peter Hartnack, Napa High Rene and Maria Haug Maria Haug Leigh & Rick Hayes Cathy Hazel Cindy Hemsley Amy Herold Lauren Hill Lenore Hirsch Jim Holleran Susan Holmer Dotty Hopkins Francis Hunt Pamela Hunt Wolfie and Tabitha Hunt Linda Inlay Clay Inskeep Julie Jenanyan Charlie Jennings Rafael Jimenez Joanne Frazier Kristine Johnson Riley Johnson, New Tech High Jim Jones Mark Joseph Debbie & Russ Joy Nancy Kaplan Matt Kelly,
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Silverado Middle School Tom & Susan Kennelly Shirley Knight Jennifer Kohl, Silverado Middle School Rebecca Kotch Pamela Krell Jennifer Kresge Kim Lancashire Dan Lancashire Sylvia Landt (William) Sarah Lawrence Michele LeBlanc Barbara Leverette Oren Lewin Gianna Light Grania Lindberg Rivka Livni Andrew Lloren Alex Lorroine Linda Lucas Anthony Lucero Mary Madden Michael Madden Peg Maddocks, Napa Learns David Magdael Mia Malm Jennifer Marinace, Robert Louis Stevenson Middle Erica Markle Scott Marsden, American Canyon High Brittany Mathieu Chris McCard Alex McCard Bob McClenahan, Napa's Photographer Caitlyn McCormick Patte McDowell Bruce McEachern Matt McEvoy Molly & Robert McGowan Karen McNair, RN Ellen Mehrens Lynn Michalski Rebecca and Nick Miller Kelley Miller, Silverado Middle School Connie Millimaki Sonja & Hal Milton Eileen Mize Naseem Moeel Elizabeth Moffitt Arlin Moore Jason Moore Leslie Moreland Art Morgan April Mucci Melissa, Tony & Macie Muzio Sherri Neefe Ryan Neergaard Chuck Neidhoefer, NVUSD VAPA Coordinator Russell Nelson Barbara Nemko, NCOE Sarah O'Connor, Vintage High Melanie Oberting, St. John the Baptist NAPAFILMFEST
@NAPAFILMFEST
Marilyn Page Joe Paniagua, Harvest Middle School Cata Parkhurst Heidi Paul Mike Pearson, Vintage High Louis Pierotti, Justin-Siena Mario Piombo, Napa Learns Tom Prassis Craig Preiss Karen Provenza Laura Rafaty Carole Rehbock Sonja Reinhardt Solage Resort Bonnie RIchardson Rick Frazier Roxanne Ridgway Leslee Rizzardil Gott's Roadside Jennifer Robedee Cat Roberts Dave Robertson Scott Rodier Steve Rogers Madeline Rogers Dal Ross Karen Rossi Michele Rourk Karen Rowley Elan Ruspoli Kristy Sammis Kini Sanborn Cathy Schillaci, Silverado Middle School Nancy Schlegel Tom Schrette, INSPIRE Fundraising Chair Liz Schrette Karen Schuppert Ben Scinto, St. Helena High John Seigel Boettner John Sensenbaugh Lisa Seran Tom Serene, New Tech High K. Rocco Shields, Genius Produced Suzanne Shift Dan Shimer Brad Shurmantune Rajeev Sigamoney, M.S. Pam Simpson Ellen Sitter Lauren Smith Nancy Snowden Sue Soffe Meagan Stasz Tenae Stewart Adam Stone Cat Stone Tamara Sullivan Jim Sweeney Patrick Sweeney, NVUSD Lisa Taback Louann Talbert Georgia Taylor Chuck Taylor Jill Techel, Mayor of Napa Betty Teller Sholly Terry David Teton-Landis @NAPAFILMFEST
Maria Thorn, Silverado Middle School Elena Toscano Jim Toth Ann Verhey Elan Villamor Kristina Webster, Blue Oak School Ernie Weir Hilary Wendel Tim Wetzel Jack Whigham Ian White Marilyn White Cathryn Wilkinson, Napa Valley College Charles Willson Caroline Wilson Acumen Wines MaryLou Wilson, SHUSD Dan Worden Jas Wright, Suisun Valley K-8 Damon Wright, American Canyon High Chris Wright, Vacaville High Katelyn Young Krista Young Nicholas Young Reynaldo Zertuche Meri Zimmerman Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa Mount View Hotel & Spa Vermeil Wines ID-PR 42 West Shelter PR Slate PR Relevant PR Rogers & Cowan Wolf Kasteler Imprint PR Viewpoint PMK-BNC The Weinstein Company Sony Pictures Classics Fox Searchlight IFC, Neon, STX Entertainment Studios Ketchum PR Arts Council Napa Valley Napa TID Calistoga TID American Canyon Chamber of Commerce Napa Chamber of Commerce St. Helena Chamber of Commerce Calistoga Chamber of Commerce Napa County Board of Superviso Yountville Chamber of Commerce
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A TRUSTED PARTNER
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SURVIVAL GUIDE
How To Fest Passes & Tickets Levels & Benefits Patron Circle Box Office Daily Schedule Film Index
OUR 7TH YEAR AS A PROUD LEADING SPONSOR OF THE NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
ColorZone has served the Napa Valley for over 15 years and has recently added a state of the art label press. Short Runs Digital UV Cured / Uses Less Energy No Plate or Die Charges From 100 to 1 Million Fast Turn Around 15 Minutes From Napa
Welcome to LabelZone
CALL FOR QUOTES OR TO VISIT OUR FACILITY | 707 746 5050 | COLORZONE.COM
SURVIVAL GUIDE
How To Fest FILMMAKER Q&A’S What truly makes a film festival a “festival” is the live participation by the writers, directors, actors, and producers. Question and answer sessions with the filmmakers follow practically every screening.
GET YOUR PASS Enjoy the festival with a pass. Choose from: Festival Pass, Pass Plus, and our VIP Patron Circle. We also offer Midweek, Weekend, Day Passes, the new Flex Pass, and Rush Tickets. As well as individual tickets to Special Events and Programs. See page 178 - 180.
AUDIENCE AWARD VOTING At most screenings, viewers will receive a ballot to rate the film and its performances. Voting ends Friday night, with award winners announced on Saturday night at the Awards Ceremony. The Awards Ceremony is followed immediately by the blowout Festival Gala.
RUSH LINE: BEST BETS Non-passholders can enjoy the festival by purchasing rush tickets at the door once all passholders have been admitted. Best bets for getting into films from the Rush Line are at the larger venues: the Uptown Theatre in Napa and the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. HOT TIP: Rush Tickets are $20 except at the Lincoln Theater where they are only $10.
SINGLE SHOW TICKETS While our festival works primarily via Passes and the Rush Line, we do make a limited number of tickets available for advance purchase to select shows. See p. 180 for all details.
DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP | PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE Download our mobile app on the App Store and Google Play Store. • Fully Interactive Guide to the Festival • Most Up-to-Date Film Descriptions & Screening Times • Personalized List of Favorite Films & Schedule Builder • Most Up-to-Date Info on Special Guests Attending • Interactive Venue & Valley Maps
WATCH FILMS
ATTEND EVENTS
From over 1,000 films submitted from around the world, we select 100 or more for the quality of their filmmaking and compelling nature of their storylines. These films are grouped in competitive sections that are eligible for either juried or audience awards or both. Our film program also includes a selection of sneak preview screenings of important Awards Season films, frequently presented by the directors who attend along with writers, actors, and producers.
The festival continues offscreen. Festival passholders can enjoy culinary demos and wine-tasting at the CIA at Copia in Napa, and artisan crafts and wine-tasting at Farmstead in St. Helena. Pass Plus holders salute outstanding cinematic achievements at the Celebrity Tributes and our Awards Ceremony, and party with the filmmakers at the Friday Night Bash, Festival Gala, Awards Ceremony and Wrap Party. Members of our Patron Circle enjoy even more exclusive access to our filmmakers and celebrities with more parties and our A-List, Movie Mogul and Vintner Circle Dinners.
FILM RATINGS & CHILDREN Most festival films do not have MPAA ratings attached. Parents should carefully read film descriptions and use their discretion when considering what might be appropriate for their children.
UP VALLEY SHUTTLE New this year, NVFF is partnering with the City of Calistoga and Beau Wine Tours to offer a complimentary shuttle route for Calistoga visitors and residents to get to the closest screening venues at Freemark Abbey and Charles Krug Wineries. Check nvff.org for all details.
FOOD & WINE We’ve integrated Napa Valley’s incomparable food and wine into the festival experience. Enjoy wine at nearly every theater. Snacks and concessions are also available at or near most theaters, with full gourmet meals never far away. Our Intermission and Wine & Artisan Pavilions are the place to be each afternoon. Being able to taste so many wines all at once, and to interact with winemakers is a priceless experience. Food and wine are also cleverly paired at all of our special events, most notably the spectacular Festival Gala. Finally, members of our Vintner Circle open their private estates to host our unique Vintner Circle Dinners and provide our winning filmmakers with large format collectible bottles. 177
SURVIVAL GUIDE
Levels & Benefits Audience members are admitted in the following order: Patron Circle first; then Pass Plus; then Festival Pass and Weekend Pass; then Midweek, Day Pass and Flex Pass; then Rush Tickets. All passholders must arrive 30 minutes prior to showtime to queue up in the appropriate line. A pass does not guarantee a seat, so please be aware of venue capacities and arrive extra-early for the most popular films and at the tiniest venues. Seating inside is on a first-come, first serve basis; all individuals must be present in the theater to have claim to a seat.
FILM SCREENINGS
RUSH TICKET
FLEX PASS
$10 - $20
5
MIDWEEK/ DAY PASS
WEEKEND PASS
FESTIVAL PASS
PASS PLUS
PATRON CIRCLE
WINE AND ARTISAN PAVILIONS AND INTERMISSION CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS ACCESS BEFORE OTHER PASSHOLDERS 6 DAYS OF FILM, FOOD & WINE ACCESS BEFORE OTHER PASSHOLDERS CELEBRITY TRIBUTES LATE NIGHT PARTIES AWARDS CEREMONY FESTIVAL GALA WRAP PARTY NO WAITING IN LINE RESERVED SEATING AT RED CARPET EVENTS COMPLIMENTARY SPARKLING WINE AT SELECT THEATERS MEET THE ARTISTS RECEPTION OPENING NIGHT PARTY VARIETY’S 10 TO TASTE VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS RISING STAR SHOWCASE CONCIERGE SERVICE (AT HIGHER LEVELS) PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF YOUR CHARITABLE SUPPORT 178
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SURVIVAL GUIDE
PASS PLUS WEEKEND / FESTIVAL 2
PATRON
The essential VIP experience Membership has its privileges!
1
3
PATRON CIRCLE
MIDWEEK / DAY / FLEX RUSH TICKETS 4
A-LISTER
MOVIE MOGUL
The elevated VIP experience All patron benefits plus more!
The ultimate VIP experience All A-lister benefits plus more!
$2,500 PER PERSON
$5,000 PER PERSON
$25,000 PER PERSON
($1,500 tax deductible)
($3,750 tax deductible)
($20,000 tax deductible)
Patron Circle The Patron Circle is comprised of individuals who provide invaluable support for our mission and programs while enjoying the most intimate access to our films, filmmakers and celebrities.
To customize your experience, choose from one of three levels of inspiration, indulgence and support. To upgrade your pass or learn more, visit nvff.org/vip, or call 707.226.7500 or email Fearon@nvff.org
PATRON
A-LISTER
MOVIE MOGUL
VIP TREATMENT No waiting in lines | Reserved Seating| Complimentary Sparkling Wine Year-Round Inside Scoop | Acknowledgement of Support
VIP ACCESS First Look Preview Party | Sneak Preview Screening | Meet the Artists Opening Night Premiere & Party | Variety’s 10 to Taste | Celebrity Tributes | Vintner Circle Dinners | Rising Star Showcase | Awards Ceremony | Festival Gala | Wrap Party EXCLUSIVE A-LIST DINNER PARTY WITH CELEBRITY HONOREES & VINTNER CIRCLE WINEMAKERS PERSONALIZED SPONSORSHIP OF A COMPETITION FILM WITH FILMMAKER MEET & GREET PRIORITY FULFILLMENT OF VINTNER CIRCLE DINNER SELECTION INVITATION TO EXCLUSIVE FILM INDUSTRY MIXER CONCIERGE SERVICE AND VIP GIFT BAG WITH NVFF AND NAPA VALLEY SWAG DEDICATED CAR & DRIVER FOR ENTIRE FESTIVAL UPGRADED CONCIERGE SERVICE AND CUSTOMIZED ITINERARY FILM SPONSORSHIP OF AN AWARDS SEASON FILM WITH FILMMAKER MEET & GREET MEET & GREET WITH FRAMED PHOTO WITH CELEBRITY TRIBUTE HONOREES RESERVED SEATING AT A-LIST DINNER PARTY WITH CELEBRITY TRIBUTE HONOREES EXCLUSIVE MOVIE MOGUL DINNER AT MEADOWOOD WITH VIP FILM INDUSTRY GUESTS
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179
SURVIVAL GUIDE
Box Office We offer a variety of experiences via a selection of passes and tickets. Visit our website at www.nvff.org to see full descriptions and purchase online. Or call our office and a festival team member will be happy to assist you. The week before the festival, an Advance Box Office is open at our Festival Office in downtown Napa. Once the festival is underway, passes and tickets may be picked up or purchased at our Up-Valley and Down-Valley Box Offices, in St. Helena and Napa respectively.
FULL EXPERIENCE
ADVANCE TICKETS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
FESTIVAL PASS For those who want to see a lot of films and drink a lot of wine $295 (Buy 4 or more for $265 per pass)
Our largest events are included with Patron Circle and the Pass Plus. For others, a limited number of tickets may be available for advance purchase. Check nvff.org/tickets for availability.
PASS PLUS
Celebrity Tributes honoring outstanding achievements in
For those who want priority access plus our five biggest special events $645 (Buy 4 or more for $665 per pass)
PATRON CIRCLE For those who want a genuine “beyond the velvet rope” VIP experience, become a member of our Patron Circle. Three levels of access and indulgence. See page 179 for more details or visit nvff.org.
Patron - the essential VIP experience $2,500 ($1,500 tax deductible) A-Lister - the elevated VIP experience $5,000 ($3,750 tax deductible) Movie Mogul - the ultimate VIP experience $25,000 ($20,000 tax deductible)
LIMITED BUDGET, LIMITED TIME
Festival Gala our blowout party with food and drink and dancing into the wee hours, see page 35 $200 (2 for $350, 4 for $600)
Awards Ceremony presenting both Juried and Audience Awards, see page 36.
Individual Tickets sold out. Purchase Pass Plus to attend. Wrap Party sending the festival off in style Individual Tickets sold out. Purchase Pass Plus to attend.
ADVANCE TICKETS FOR SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS For a few of this year’s special presentations, a limited number of tickets may be available for advance purchase:
MIDWEEK PASS
• Will Ferrell Tribute, with our screening of Stranger Than Fiction Friday
WEEKEND PASS
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday $125 Friday, Saturday and Sunday $225
FLEX PASS
Enjoy 5 individual film screenings any day of the festival $125
INDIVIDUAL DAY PASSES Enjoy a single-day experience
Friday, $85 Saturday, $105 Sunday, $85 RUSH TICKETS Non-passholders enjoy the festival with last-minute tickets at the door
180
cinematic storytelling, see page 27 - 29 $75 (2 for $120, 4 for $200)
Pass Plus, Patrons, A-Listers, Movie Moguls Individual tickets: $25 for all others
• Rising Star Showcase, Patron Circle, $25 for pass plus only • Coyote | Thursday, $20 • 78/52 | Thursday, $25 • Tater Tot & Patton | Friday, $20 • Rebels on Pointe | Friday, $20 • Blood Road | Saturday, $20 • Man in Red Bandana | Saturday, $20 • LA 92 | Saturday, $20 • Served Like a Girl | Saturday, $20 • Magic Music | Saturday, $25
$20 most festival venues
• 78/52 | Saturday, $25
$10 special deal at Lincoln Theater (best price and
• The Whinnies | Sunday, $25
best odds to get in!)
• Back to Burgundy | Sunday, $30
SURVIVAL GUIDE
BE PREPARED
BOX OFFICE LOCATIONS
Advance Box Office
The Up-Valley and Down-Valley Box Offices serve as festival hubs. Purchase passes and tickets, or pick up passes that you ordered online; get updated program information or find answers to any questions you may have. Patron Circle members, sponsors, media and filmmakers have separate designated pass pickup lounges at our Headquarters Hotel: The Westin Verasa Napa.
1400 Clay Street, Suite 100, Napa 707.226.7500 | www.nvff.org 10/30 - 11/6 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
BE SOCIAL We encourage you to share your festival experience on social media. Follow us, tag us, talk to us, and use #NVFF17 on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and more. Keep your eyes on our channels (listed below) for exclusive content, festival tips and more.
NapaFilmFest
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NAPA
ST. HELENA
CIA COPIA
FARMSTEAD AT LONG MEADOW RANCH
500 First St, Napa, CA 94559
738 Main St, St Helena, CA 94574
Box Office Hours of Operation
Box Office Hours of Operation
11/7: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 11/8 - 11/11: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 11/12: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
11/7: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 11/8 - 11/11: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 11/12: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
THE 8TH ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
SAVE THE DATE
NOVEMBER 7 – 11, 2018
Holiday presale begins November 13, 2017
SAVE 30% OR MORE ON PASSES TO #NVFF18 #NVFF17
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NVFF.ORG
181
DAILY SCHEDULE
DAILY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 7
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
CIA AT COPIA
CAMEO CINEMA‑
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
NARRATIVE SHORTS 1
BACK TO BURGANDY
86 min › p. 105
113 min › p. 126 PATRON CIRCLE ONLY
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
MEET THE ARTISTS Caldwell Snyder Gallery
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
BERNARD AND HUEY
LIYANA
91 min › p. 127
77 min › p. 125 OTHER PASSHOLDERS & RUSH TICKETS
#NVFF17
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NVFF.ORG
183
DAILY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 8
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA CIA AT COPIA
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
UPTOWN THEATRE
JaM CELLARS BALLROOM
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE MASTER CLASSES
9:45 AM
Meadowood Napa Valley
SHORT FEATURES 2
p. 144 - 147
105 min › p. 118
1:15 PM
FERMENTED 67 min › p. 130
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
THE CURRENT WAR
FOOD EVOLUTION
105 min › p. 50
92 min › p. 128
1:00 PM 1:30 PM
CROWN HEIGHTS
QUEST 86 min › p. 98
94 min › p. 48
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO The CIA at Copia | p. 153
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
VIP PATRON RECEPTION
4:00 PM
Acumen Wines
CLASS RANK 102 min › p. 92
5:15 PM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 2
5:30 PM
88 min › p. 112
118 min › p. 49
THE UPSIDE
7:00 PM
AMANDA & JACK GO GLAMPING 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
94 min › p. 91
OPENING NIGHT VIP PARTY
184
8:15 PM
Italics Winegrowers
LADDIE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES
p. 24
83 min › p. 82
8:30 PM
THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN 104 min › p. 71
NVFF.ORG
NAPAFILMFEST
@NAPAFILMFEST
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#NVFF17
OFF SCREEN
Full listing of events at nvff.org
CULINARY DEMOS p. 152 - 153
WINE TASTING p. 151, 155
SPECIAL EVENTS p. 24 - 38
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NapaFilmFest for live updates. Download our mobile app or sign up for our newsletter to receive the most current NVFF news.
YOUNTVILLE
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
LINCOLN THEATER
CAMEO CINEMA
NATIVE SONS
FARMSTEAD THEATER
CHARLES KRUG
FREEMARK ABBEY
9:30 AM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 3
10:00 AM
LA 92 114 min › p. 55
81 min › p. 113
10:00 AM
SHORT FEATURES 4
10:30 AM
101 min › p. 120
NARRATIVE SHORTS 3 85 min › p. 107
1:00 PM
NARRATIVE SHORTS 2
1:30 PM
SERVED LIKE A GIRL
2:00 PM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 1
2:00 PM
90 min › p. 134
ACORN AND THE FIRESTORM
1:30 PM
79 min › p. 106
LIYANA
68 min › p. 111
77 min › p. 125
84 min › p. 77
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
5:30 PM
THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN 90 min › p. 85
FILM STARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL
TO THE EDGE OF THE SKY 120 min › p. 133
106 min › p. 52
5:30 PM
5:30 PM
SKID ROW MARATHON
CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE
85 min › p. 84
87 min › p. 78
8:00 PM
THE WHINNIES
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS
THE HOUSE OF TOMORROW
91 min › p. 64
66 min › p. 139
8:30 PM
8:30 PM
THE RELATIONTRIP
TATER TOT & PATTON
89 min › p. 99
92 min › p. 70
85 min › p. 65
#NVFF17
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185
DAILY SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 9
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA CIA AT COPIA
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
UPTOWN THEATRE
JaM CELLARS BALLROOM
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE MASTER CLASSES
9:30 AM
Meadowood Napa Valley
81 min › p. 131
CONSTRUCTING ALBERT
p. 144 - 147
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO
VARIETY'S 10-TO-TASTE
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
MAN IN RED BANDANA
COUP D'ETAT
80 min › p. 134
90 min › p. 93
The CIA at Copia p. 149
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO 1:30 PM
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
ELLA BRENNAN: COMMANDING THE TABLE 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
INTERMISSION
CULINARY DEMO
WINE PAVILION
The CIA at Copia
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
p. 151
1:30 PM
THE SHAPE OF WATER
LOUNGE SHORTS 95 min › p. 101
123 min › p. 47
93 min › p. 129
4:00 PM
p. 155
A HAPPENING OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS 5:15 PM
THE GATEWAY BUG 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
84 min › p. 81
82 min › p. 95
5:30 PM
BREAKABLE YOU 120 min › p. 126
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES Lincoln Theater p. 25 - 27
7:00 PM
QUEST 86 min › p. 98
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
A-LIST DINNER PARTY
PATRON TRIBUTES RECEPTION
8:15 PM
Eleven Eleven Winery p. 28
Napa Valley Museum
72 min › p. 80
A FINE LINE
8:30 PM
78/52 91 min › p. 54
p. 27
10:00 PM
IZZY GETS THE FUCK ACROSS TOWN 86 min › p. 96
186
NVFF.ORG
NAPAFILMFEST
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#NVFF17
OFF SCREEN
Full listing of events at nvff.org
CULINARY DEMOS p. 152 - 153
WINE TASTING p. 151, 155
SPECIAL EVENTS p. 24 - 38
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NapaFilmFest for live updates. Download our mobile app or sign up for our newsletter to receive the most current NVFF news.
YOUNTVILLE
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
LINCOLN THEATER
CAMEO CINEMA
MICHELIN STARS: TALES FROM THE KITCHEN
CHARLES KRUG
FREEMARK ABBEY
9:30 AM
9:45 AM 10:00 AM
NATIVE SONS
FARMSTEAD THEATER
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME 132 min › p. 53
SHORT FEATURES 3 102 min › p. 119
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
SHORT FEATURES 1
NARRATIVE SHORTS 1
82 min › p. 117
86 min › p. 105
1:30 PM
1:30 PM
AMANDA & JACK GO GLAMPING
40 YEARS IN THE MAKING - THE MAGIC MUSIC MOVIE
82 min › p. 131
1:00 PM
1:15 PM
1:30 PM
BERNARD AND HUEY
STUCK
NEW CHEFS ON THE BLOCK
90 min › p. 69
96 min › p. 129
91 min › p. 127
94 min › p. 91
99 min › p. 125
5:00 PM
5:15 PM 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
DOG YEARS
HAPPENING: A CLEAN ENERGY REVOLUTION
94 min › p. 127
75 min › p. 132
CELEBRITY TRIBUTES
5:30 PM
5:15 PM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 1
5:30 PM
LIFE HACK 85 min › p. 97
68 min › p. 111
99 min › p. 63
AMERICAN FOLK
p. 25 - 27
8:30 PM
COYOTE
8:00 PM
8:15 PM
THE SOUNDING
MIGHTY GROUND 85 min › p. 83
93 min › p. 68
ENTANGLEMENT
8:15 PM
PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW 92 min › p. 67
85 min › p. 94
107 min › p. 79
#NVFF17
8:30 PM
NAPAFILMFEST
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NAPAFILMFEST
8:30 PM
I CAN I WILL I DID 110 min › p. 66
NVFF.ORG
187
DAILY SCHEDULE
Friday, November 10
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA CIA AT COPIA
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
9:45 AM
THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS 91 min › p. 64
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
UPTOWN THEATRE
JaM CELLARS BALLROOM
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
MIGHTY GROUND
THE RELATIONTRIP
85 min › p. 83
89 min › p. 99
CULINARY DEMO The CIA at Copia | p. 153
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
INDUSTRY MIXER
CULINARY DEMO
Raymond Vineyards
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
1:15 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO
INTERMISSION & WINE PAVILION
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
1:00 PM
ACORN AND THE FIRESTORM
1:30 PM
84 min › p. 77
92 min › p. 67
ENTANGLEMENT
PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW
The CIA at Copia | p. 151
85 min › p. 94
4:00 PM
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch | p. 155
CLASS RANK 102 min › p. 92
5:00 PM
WILL FERRELL TRIBUTE
5:15 PM
Lincoln Theater | p. 26
THE SOUNDING
5:00 PM
I, TONYA 119 min › p. 51
93 min › p. 68
7:00 PM 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
VINTNER CIRCLE DINNERS
MOVIE MOGUL DINNER
Multiple Locations
Meadowood Napa Valley
p. 30 - 33
p. 33
NARRATIVE SHORTS 2 79 min › p. 106
8:15 PM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 3
8:30 PM
81 min › p. 113
94 min › p. 127
DOG YEARS
10:00 PM - 2:00 AM
10:00 PM
FRIDAY NIGHT BASH
LIFE HACK
Martin Showroom | The Saint
85 min › p. 97
p. 35
188
NVFF.ORG
NAPAFILMFEST
@NAPAFILMFEST
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NAPAFILMFEST
#NVFF17
OFF SCREEN
Full listing of events at nvff.org
CULINARY DEMOS p. 152 - 153
WINE TASTING p. 151, 155
SPECIAL EVENTS p. 24 - 38
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NapaFilmFest for live updates. Download our mobile app or sign up for our newsletter to receive the most current NVFF news.
YOUNTVILLE
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
LINCOLN THEATER
CAMEO CINEMA
9:30 AM
9:45 AM
10:00 AM
CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE
NATIVE SONS
FARMSTEAD THEATER
AMERICAN FOLK
STUCK 90 min › p. 69
99 min › p. 63
10:00 AM
COUP D'ETAT
CHARLES KRUG
FREEMARK ABBEY
9:45 AM
COYOTE 107 min › p. 79
90 min › p. 93
10:00 AM
SKID ROW MARATHON 85 min › p. 84
87 min › p. 78
1:00 PM
1:15 PM
1:30 PM
TATER TOT & PATTON
THE GATEWAY BUG
BLOOD ROAD
84 min › p. 81
96 min › p. 135
92 min › p. 70
1:30 PM
A HAPPENING OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS
1:15 PM
LADDIE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES 83 min › p. 82
1:30 PM
THE HOUSE OF TOMORROW 85 min › p. 65
82 min › p. 95
5:00 PM
WILL FERRELL TRIBUTE 5:45 PM
STRANGER THAN FICTION
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN
A FINE LINE 72 min › p. 80
104 min › p. 71
5:30 PM
IZZY GETS THE FUCK ACROSS TOWN
5:15 PM
THE ATAXIAN 74 min › p. 135
86 min › p. 96
5:30 PM
THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN 90 min › p. 85
113 min › p. 26
8:30 PM
REBELS ON POINTE
I CAN I WILL I DID
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 2
110 min › p. 66
88 min › p. 112
90 min › p. 133
#NVFF17
8:00 PM
8:15 PM
NAPAFILMFEST
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8:30 PM
LOUNGE SHORTS
8:15 PM
NARRATIVE SHORTS 3 85 min › p. 107
95 min › p. 101
NAPAFILMFEST
8:30 PM
POISONING PARADISE 60 min › p. 128
NVFF.ORG
189
DAILY SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 11
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA CIA AT COPIA
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
9:45 AM
SHORT FEATURES 3 102 min › p. 119
UPTOWN THEATRE
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
AMERICAN FOLK
IZZY GETS THE FUCK ACROSS TOWN
99 min › p. 63
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
JaM CELLARS BALLROOM
86 min › p. 96
CULINARY DEMO The CIA at Copia | p. 153
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
RISING STAR SHOWCASE
CULINARY DEMO
1:15 PM
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
NEW CHEFS ON THE BLOCK
Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards
96 min › p. 129
p. 29
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
INTERMISSION
CULINARY DEMO
The CIA at Copia
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
p. 151
1:00 PM 1:30 PM
40 YEARS IN THE MAKING - THE MAGIC MUSIC MOVIE
ENTANGLEMENT 85 min › p. 94
99 min › p. 125
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
ARTISAN & WINE PAVILION Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch p. 155
4:00 PM
COUP D'ETAT
4:30 PM
90 min › p. 93
MICHELIN STARS: TALES FROM THE KITCHEN 82 min › p. 131
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
AWARDS CEREMONY
AWARDS CEREMONY
Uptown Theatre
p. 36
p. 36
7:00 PM
THE RELATIONTRIP 8:00 PM - 12:00 PM
8:00 PM - 12:00 PM
FESTIVAL GALA
FESTIVAL GALA
The CIA at Copia
p. 37
p. 37
89 min › p. 99
8:30 PM
78/52 91 min › p. 54
10:00 PM
A HAPPENING OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS 82 min › p. 95
190
NVFF.ORG
NAPAFILMFEST
@NAPAFILMFEST
@NAPAFILMFEST
NAPAFILMFEST
#NVFF17
OFF SCREEN
Full listing of events at nvff.org
CULINARY DEMOS p. 152 - 153
SPECIAL EVENTS p. 24 - 38
WINE TASTING p. 151, 155
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NapaFilmFest for live updates. Download our mobile app or sign up for our newsletter to receive the most current NVFF news.
YOUNTVILLE
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
LINCOLN THEATER
CAMEO CINEMA
9:30 AM
9:45 AM
10:00 AM
THE LEISURE SEEKER
BLOOD ROAD
NATIVE SONS
FARMSTEAD THEATER
NARRATIVE SHORTS 1 86 min › p. 105
112 min › p. 52
96 min › p. 135
10:00 AM
AMANDA & JACK GO GLAMPING
CHARLES KRUG
FREEMARK ABBEY
9:45 AM
CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER
10:00 AM
103 min › p. 132
85 min › p. 83
MIGHTY GROUND
94 min › p. 91
1:00 PM
1:15 PM 2:00 PM
BREAKABLE YOU
LADDIE: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVIES
120 min › p. 126
83 min › p. 82
MAN IN RED BANDANA
1:30 PM
1:15 PM
QUEST
TO THE EDGE OF THE SKY
86 min › p. 98
120 min › p. 133
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
SERVED LIKE A GIRL
THE YEAR OF SPECTACULAR MEN 104 min › p. 71
80 min › p. 134
5:30 PM
1:30 PM
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
FERMENTED 67 min › p. 130
132 min › p. 53
90 min › p. 134
5:30 PM
CLASS RANK
5:15 PM
CONSTRUCTING ALBERT 81 min › p. 131
102 min › p. 92
5:30 PM
HAPPENING: A CLEAN ENERGY REVOLUTION 75 min › p. 132
8:30 PM
LA 92
THE UPSIDE
WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE
118 min › p. 49
85 min › p. 130
114 min › p. 55
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8:00 PM
8:15 PM
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8:30 PM
PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW
8:15 PM
SHORT FEATURES 1 82 min › p. 117
92 min › p. 67
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8:30 PM
REBELS ON POINTE 90 min › p. 133
NVFF.ORG
191
DAILY SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 12
Schedule of film screenings and major events as of September 30. Please check nvff.org for the most up-to-date information.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NAPA CIA AT COPIA
EVENTS ARE VALLEY-WIDE
9:45 AM
POISONING PARADISE 60 min › p. 128
UPTOWN THEATRE
10:00 AM
10:00 AM
THE WHINNIES
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 1
66 min › p. 139
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
JaM CELLARS BALLROOM
68 min › p. 111
CULINARY DEMO The CIA at Copia | p. 153
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO
1:15 PM
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
THE ATAXIAN 74 min › p. 135
1:00 PM 1:30 PM
CHAPPAQUIDDICK
NARRATIVE SHORTS 3 85 min › p. 107
92 min › p. 56
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
INTERMISSION The CIA at Copia
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
CULINARY DEMO
ARTISAN & WINE PAVILION
The CIA at Copia | p. 153
p. 151
Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch
4:00 PM
p. 155
I CAN I WILL I DID 110 min › p. 66
5:15 PM
WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE
5:30 PM
85 min › p. 130
140 min › p. 57
MOLLY'S GAME
7:00 PM 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
LIFE HACK
WRAP PARTY
85 min › p. 97
Matera | Cunat Family Vineyards
8:15 PM
p. 38
FOOD EVOLUTION 92 min › p. 128
8:30 PM
CATCHING SIGHT OF THELMA & LOUISE 87 min › p. 78
192
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OFF SCREEN
Full listing of events at nvff.org
CULINARY DEMOS p. 152 - 153
WINE TASTING p. 151, 155
SPECIAL EVENTS p. 24 - 38
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NapaFilmFest for live updates. Download our mobile app or sign up for our newsletter to receive the most current NVFF news.
YOUNTVILLE
ST. HELENA / UP-VALLEY
LINCOLN THEATER
CAMEO CINEMA
9:30 AM
9:45 AM
10:00 AM
SKID ROW MARATHON
NATIVE SONS
FARMSTEAD THEATER
TATER TOT & PATTON
SHORT FEATURES 4 101 min › p. 120
92 min › p. 70
85 min › p. 84
10:00 AM
ELLA BRENNAN: COMMANDING THE TABLE
CHARLES KRUG
FREEMARK ABBEY
9:45 AM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 2
10:00 AM
88 min › p. 112
84 min › p. 81
THE GATEWAY BUG
93 min › p. 129
1:00 PM
1:15 PM
THE LEISURE SEEKER
NARRATIVE SHORTS 2 79 min › p. 106
112 min › p. 52
2:00 PM
BACK TO BURGUNDY
THE HOUSE OF TOMORROW
THE UNTOLD TALES OF ARMISTEAD MAUPIN
1:15 PM
ACORN AND THE FIRESTORM
1:30 PM
84 min › p. 77
72 min › p. 80
A FINE LINE
90 min › p. 85
113 min › p. 126
5:30 PM
1:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:15 PM
FILM STARS DON'T DIE IN LIVERPOOL
COYOTE 107 min › p. 79
5:30 PM
THE SOUNDING
5:15 PM
SHORT FEATURES 2 105 min › p. 118
93 min › p. 68
106 min › p. 52
5:30 PM
STUCK 90 min › p. 69
85 min › p. 65
8:00 PM
8:15 PM
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THE CURRENT WAR
CALIFORNIA TYPEWRITER
105 min › p. 50
103 min › p. 132
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8:30 PM
8:15 PM
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS 3
8:30 PM
LOUNGE SHORTS 95 min › p. 101
81 min › p. 113
91 min › p. 64
NAPAFILMFEST
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THE BOY DOWNSTAIRS
193
20 YEARS AND STILL INDIE. For two decades, we’ve guided independent filmmakers like you through the SAG-AFTRA signatory process so you can cast the best talent to make the best film, regardless of budget. And best of all, we do it for free. www.sagindie.org
Film Index 40 Years in the Making the Magic Music Movie........................ p.125
Dam, The............................................ p.106
Negrón (A Tennis Short)...................... p.106
78/52...................................................p.54
Dinner in Abruzzo: A Journey Home with My Culinary Godfather........ p.119
One Hundred Ascents......................... p.112
ACORN and the Firestorm..................... p.77
Dog Years........................................... p.127
Other Side, The....................................p.111
Act of Being, The................................ p.119
Don't Shoot the Zebra Pony................. p.139
People You May Know........................... p.67
After All.............................................. p.107 Again.................................................. p.107
Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table........................ p.129
Pieces of String: a brief history of the artist Robert Winokur................ p. 120
All American........................................p.111
Entanglement........................................ p.94
Poet, The............................................ p.105
Amanda & Jack Go Glamping................ p.91
Fermented.......................................... p.130
Poisoning Paradise.............................. p.128
American Folk.......................................p.63
Few Things About Robert Irwin, A.........p.111
Quest.................................................... p.98
And Though The Music Ended, We Danced On Through The Night.......p.117
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool............ p.52
Real Artists......................................... p.106
Final Show, The................................... p.101
Rebels On Pointe................................ p.133
Anna................................................... p.106
Fine Line, A...........................................p.80
Rekindled........................................... p.101
Arrival, The......................................... p.101
Food Evolution.................................... p.128
Relationtrip, The.................................... p.99
At Midnight..........................................p.111
Frankie Keeps Talking.......................... p.101
Served Like A Girl................................ p.134
Ataxian, The........................................ p.135
Gateway Bug, The................................. p.81
Shape of Water, The.............................. p.47
Awarewolf........................................... p.105
Gema.................................................. p.107
Skid Row Marathon...............................p.84
Back to Burgundy............................... p.126
Generationals...................................... p.113
Small Talk........................................... p.105
Barrio................................................. p.105
Happening of Monumental Proportions, A................... p.95
Sounding, The....................................... p.68
Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution................... p.132
Standing/Still Standing........................ p.118
Before The Bridge................................p.111 Bernard and Huey............................... p.127 Blind Sushi......................................... p.112 Blood Road......................................... p.135 Boy Downstairs, The.............................p.64 Breakable You..................................... p.126 brief.................................................... p.105 Brosé.................................................. p.101 Brothers.............................................. p.106 Buttercup........................................... p.105 Cab Elvis............................................. p.112
Hop Dreams........................................ p.112 House of Tomorrow, The........................ p.65 I Can I Will I Did.................................... p.66 I, Tonya................................................. p.51 Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town............. p.96 Knife Skills.......................................... p.119 LA 92................................................... p.55 Laboratory Conditions.......................... p.107
New Chefs on the Block...................... p.129
Spirit & Spirits of Port Costa, The......... p.120 Stranger Than Fiction............................ p.26 Stuck.................................................... p.69 Tables, The......................................... p.113 Taming Wild: A Girl and A Mustang...... p.139 Tater Tot & Patton................................. p.70 Terminal.............................................. p.105 Three Boys Manzanar...........................p.111 Time Is a Place................................... p.106 Tiphany............................................... p.112
California Typewriter............................ p.132
Laddie: The Man Behind The Movies.................p.82
Call Me By Your Name...........................p.53
Leisure Seeker, The............................... p.52
Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise......... p.78
Lemon................................................ p.101
Caviar Dreams..................................... p.113
Life Boat............................................. p.107
Chappaquiddick.................................... p.56
Life Hack.............................................. p.97
Chocolate.............................................p.117
Little Warriors...................................... p.118
Class Rank............................................ p.92
Liyana................................................. p.125
Colgin: An Uncommon Journey............ p.113
Love 99............................................... p.118
Collection, The.....................................p.111
We Climb Mountains............................ p.113
Make It Work: The Idea....................... p.113
Constructing Albert............................. p.131
Wishmakers........................................ p.120
Man In Red Bandana.......................... p.134
Coup d'Etat........................................... p.93
Margoland........................................... p.101
Coyote.................................................. p.79 Crown Heights...................................... p.48
Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen......................... p.131
Working On My Short: A Short Film About Figuring Out What My Short Film Should Be About.......................... p.101
Current War, The................................... p.50
Mighty Ground......................................p.83
Your Day..............................................p.117
Da Capo.............................................. p.105
Molly's Game........................................ p.57
Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber..................p.111
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To the Edge of the Sky......................... p.133 Top Row.............................................. p.112 Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin, The.........................p.85 Upside, The.......................................... p.49 Visitors ............................................... p.107 Washed Away...................................... p.112 Wasted! The Story of Food Waste......... p.130
Year of Spectacular Men, The................ p.71
NVFF.ORG
195
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