Culinary Institute Of America At Copia To Bring New Food, Film Festival To Napa Valley

Press release from the City of Napa:

NAPA, CA — The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia is bringing an exciting new festival celebrating the intersection of food and film to Napa Valley. The five-day Flavors of Film Series and Reel Taste Film Festival (May 1-4, 2025) will transform CIA Copia into a hub for food-centric cinema, featuring screenings of acclaimed culinary documentaries, food-focused feature films and hands-on experiences that bring the magic of food in film to life. We spoke with Director of Advancement Bethany Moritz and Managing Director Tom Bensel from CIA about this unique addition to Napa’s event calendar.

Where did the idea for the monthly screening and corresponding awards festival originate?

The idea for the Flavors of Film screenings and Reel Taste Film Festival came from the work we have done in the past in partnership with the Napa Valley Film Festival. They have hosted programming with us, and we were active collaborators on the culinary side of things. We realized that there is almost always a culinary element in the films we screened and we wanted to really dive into that and have some fun! Creating these programs has allowed us to create meaningful and delicious experiences for our guests, make use of our amazing theatre space and celebrate the meaningful relationship between food and film.

Why is offering this kind of programming important to the CIA Copia?

Public programming at CIA Copia creates vital connections between our institution and the broader community of both locals and visitors. While our primary focus is culinary education, we recognize the importance of engaging with Napa Valley’s vibrant community beyond our campus. Events like this transform CIA Copia into a place where people can gather and have unique experiences bringing us all closer together.

We’re grateful for the support of the City of Napa Tourist Improvement District (TID), whose funding helps us showcase not only our beautiful city but also the diverse range of cultural activities available here.

Are there any top names/talents you want to tease?

While coordinating talent can be challenging, we’re thrilled to announce that David Gelb, the acclaimed producer and director of “Chef's Table” and “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” will participate in the Reel Taste Film Festival. More exciting announcements are coming soon – stay connected by signing up for our newsletter!

Where can folks buy tickets and what are the various levels of participation?

Tickets are available at www.ciaatcopia.com/flavors-of-film. Currently, you can purchase tickets for the Flavors of Film Series, with Reel Taste Festival tickets and packages launching soon. The Reel Taste Film Festival offers more than traditional screenings and dinners – guests can enjoy hands-on culinary and beverage classes, plus pop-up events with sponsorship partners like Zwilling. Our flexible festival passes will offer access to different days of the event, providing a customizable experience for attendees. We are also partnering with local hotels and spas to create exclusive packages, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in both our festival programming and Napa’s renowned hospitality scene. If you’d like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Bethany Moritz at bethany.moritz@culinary.edu.

This press release was produced by the City of Napa. The views expressed here are the author’s own.