Arts & Entertainment

Mill Valley Film Festival 2025 Wraps With Global Flair and Local Heart

MVFF 2025 closes with audience honors for "Hamnet," "Honeyjoon" and more after 11 days of film, panels and celebration. Plus, see photos.

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(clockwise) Rose Byrne, Tonatiuh, Jessica Alba and Joel Edgerton attend the 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival.
(clockwise) Rose Byrne, Tonatiuh, Jessica Alba and Joel Edgerton attend the 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

MILL VALLEY, CA — The 2025 Mill Valley Film Festival wrapped its 48th edition with cinematic flair, community spirit and a lineup that balanced global prestige with local heart.

From Oct. 2 to 12, the Bay Area’s beloved fall festival drew thousands of film lovers to venues across Mill Valley, San Rafael, Larkspur and Berkeley. Hosted by the California Film Institute, the event showcased more than 100 films from over 30 countries, including award-season contenders, indie gems and thought-provoking documentaries.

Opening night set the tone with “Hamnet,” a lyrical adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The film’s emotional depth and visual elegance earned a standing ovation at the historic Sequoia Cinema, where Zhao and Buckley joined audiences for a post-screening Q&A.

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Throughout the 11-day celebration, attendees enjoyed intimate conversations with filmmakers, red carpet moments and special tributes. Honorees included Spike Lee, Rose Byrne, Joel Edgerton, Zoey Deutch, Eva Victor and Tonatiuh recognized for their contributions to cinema and storytelling.

Festival strands like “Mind the Gap,” “Active Cinema” and “Viva el Cine!” continued to spotlight underrepresented voices and socially conscious narratives. Local filmmakers also had their moment, with Bay Area stories resonating alongside international fare.

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Closing night featured “Rental Family,” a crowd-pleasing comedy-drama starring Brendan Fraser as an American actor navigating Japan’s surrogate family industry.

The festival concluded with the announcement of the Audience Favorite Awards, reflecting the voices of festivalgoers:

  • Overall Audience Favorite: “Hamnet” by Chloé Zhao
  • Independent Favorite: “It Was Just an Accident” by Jafar Panahi
  • World Cinema Favorite: “Calle Málaga” by Maryam Touzani
  • U.S. Cinema Favorite: “Honeyjoon” by Lilian T. Mehrel
  • Documentary Favorite: “André is an Idiot” by Tony Benna

For more information, visit mvff.com.

Photo Highlights From The 2025 MVFF

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba attends the world premiere of "Valentina" at The Outdoor Art Club on October 03, 2025 in Mill Valley, California.

Rose Byrne, 2025 MVFF Spotlight Honoree

Rose Byrne attends Spotlight On Rose Byrne and a screening of "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" during 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 10, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (MVFF 2025)

Jessie Buckley

Jessie Buckley attends the Opening Night Gala Premiere of "Hamnet" as part of the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at The Outdoor Art Club on October 02, 2025 in Mill Valley, California.(Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Tonatiuh, 2025 MVFF Spotlight Honoree

Tonatiuh attends Spotlight On Tonatiuh during the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 08, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Zoey Deutch, 2025 MVFF Spotlight Honoree

Zoey Deutch attends Spotlight On Zoey Deutch during the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 05, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Joel Edgerton, 2025 MVFF Tribute Honoree

Joel Edgerton attend the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 07, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Chloé Zhao

Chloé Zhao gives an interview during the Opening Night Gala Premiere of "Hamnet" as part of the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at The Outdoor Art Club on October 02, 2025 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Eva Victor, 2025 MVFF Tribute Honoree

Eva Victor attends the Tribute To Eva Victor during the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 05, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Delroy Lindo and Spike Lee, 2025 MVFF Lifetime Achievement Honoree

(L-R) Delroy Lindo and Spike Lee attend Mill Valley Film Festival Award ceremony For Lifetime Achievement: Spike Lee at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 11, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Lars Ulrich and Jonas Åkerlund

(L-R) Lars Ulrich and Jonas Åkerlund attend Centerpiece Program: "Metallica Saved My Life" at 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at The Outdoor Art Club on October 09, 2025 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Danny Ramirez

Danny Ramirez attends the world premiere of "Valentina" at The Outdoor Art Club on October 03, 2025 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Desi Perkins

Desi Perkins attends the world premiere of "Valentina" at The Outdoor Art Club on October 03, 2025 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

Clint Bentley

Clint Bentley attends the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 07, 2025 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/Patch Media)

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