NVFF returns with its five-day festival showcasing the year’s best new independent films, November 7-11. Organizers will showcase Napa Valley’s finest food and wine at all special events, including the Festival Gala, VIP receptions, and Vintner Circle dinners, and will feature a lively series of filmmaker-chef collaborative demonstrations at the Monogram Appliances Demonstration Kitchen at The Studio by Feast it Forward in downtown Napa. The ten screening venues located throughout the Valley include the historic Cameo Cinema, Charles Krug Winery, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, JaM Cellars Ballroom at the Margrit Mondavi Theatre, Lincoln Theater, Native Sons, Uptown Theatre, and new this year The Archer Hotel Napa, Las Alcobas Napa Valley, and the new pop-up Drive-In at the Calistoga Fairgrounds.

CALDWELL VINEYARD MAVERICK TRIBUTE

Billy Bob Thornton (Goliath, Sling Blade) will receive this year’s Caldwell Vineyard “Maverick” honor at this year’s Celebrity Tributes program that salutes the highest levels of cinematic achievement. Mr. Thornton joins Charles Krug Legendary Actor Tribute honoree Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, Mystic River) for an entertaining conversation with Access’ Natalie Morales on Thursday, November 8 at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. The Raymond Vineyards’ Trailblazer honoree will be announced next week.

ADVANCED BOX OFFICE OPENING

The NVFF advanced box office will be opening this coming Monday, October 29 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Passholders will be able to pick up their passes at the Napa Valley Film Festival headquarters located at 1400 Clay Street, Suite 100, Napa.  NVFF18 Official Program Guides are also available at the Advance Box Office and at Whole Foods Market as well as Oxbow Market. List info on Festival Week Box offices, dates, times.

FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING DAY

As a thank you to the local community and in recognition of the official Veteran’s Day holiday,  NVFF is offering free public screenings at the Napa District Auditorium on Monday, November 12. Screenings include:

• Student Short Film Showcase – 9:00am: The Student Short Film Showcase is comprised of a selection of student-produced films from the summer Narrative and Documentary Film Camps. Working in teams, students created these films from start to finish. Each of the films were written, directed, produced, and edited entirely by Napa, Sonoma, and Lake County students.
• Cancer Rebellion – 11:00am: To come to terms with his own cancer diagnosis, director and survivor Hernan Barangan travels to all 50 states to uncover the stories of others who have also been diagnosed with cancer in their youth.
• Ride – 1:00pm: John McCord is a troubled teen. In an effort to get through to him, John’s new foster parent teaches him how to ride bicycle, promising the potential to develop a relationship, and to offer John a brighter future – if only he can put his past behind him. This film stars Sasha Alexander, Ludacris and Shane Graham.
• Life in the Doghouse – 3:00pm: After the sweeping devastation of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of dogs were left stranded and homeless. Danny Robertshaw and his partner Ron Danta dedicated all of their own resources to saving over 600 of them, effectively establishing Danny and Ron’s Rescue.

For more information on passes and individual tickets to Tributes, select screenings and the Festival Gala visit us at NVFF.org/tickets or call us at 707.226.7500.