Mill Valley Film Festival Launches 48th Edition With Star Power, Global Cinema And Local Voices

MILL VALLEY, CA — The 48th Mill Valley Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Oct. 2, bringing 11 days of screenings, tributes and community events to venues across Marin County and Berkeley. Presented by the California Film Institute, the festival runs Oct. 2–12 and will feature 138 films from 40 countries, with more than half directed or co-directed by women or nonbinary filmmakers.

Opening night will feature "Hamnet," a speculative drama from Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The film reimagines the grief behind Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" and is expected to draw a sold-out crowd at both the Sequoia Cinema and Smith Rafael Film Center. Zhao and Buckley are scheduled to appear exclusively at the Smith Rafael for a post-screening conversation.

The centerpiece program on Saturday, Oct. 5, will spotlight "Metallica Saved My Life," a documentary by Jonas Åkerlund that explores the band’s cultural impact through the lens of devoted fans and personal stories.

Closing night on Saturday, Oct. 12, will feature "Rental Family," a Japan-set dramedy directed by Hikari and starring Brendan Fraser as an American actor hired to play stand-in family members for clients navigating grief and loneliness.

MVFF48 continues its tradition of blending prestige titles with emerging voices. Tributes this year will honor director Spike Lee and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi.

Spotlight programs will feature appearances by Zoey Deutch ("Nouvelle Vague"), Joel Edgerton ("Train Dreams"), Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I’d Kick You") and Tonatiuh ("Kiss of the Spider Woman"). Bay Area filmmakers will also be well represented, with local premieres such as "Diamond Diplomacy" by Yuriko Gamo Romer and "Everywhere Man," a documentary on Peter Asher by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine.

"Independent film is thriving in exciting new ways, even as the industry evolves," said Mark Fishkin, founder and director of MVFF. “MVFF48 reflects this moment of energy and possibility, showcasing the stories, voices, and perspectives that are shaping the future of cinema. From first-time directors to seasoned filmmakers, our lineup highlights the creativity, resilience, and collaboration that drive the independent film world forward.”

MVFF48 includes live music, panels and special events, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most artist-friendly festivals in the country.

For more information, visit mvff.com.

Reliving The 2024 Mill Valley Film Festival In Photos

Mikey Madison

Zoe Saldana

Amy Adams

Jude Law

Adriana Paz

Jharrel Jerome

Michael Gracey and Jonno Davies

Sean Baker and Mikey Madison

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