The California Film Institute this week announced the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival dates – Thursday, October 5 thru Sunday, October 15, 2023, and unveiled the official poster for the 46th edition of the Mill Valley Film Festival.
The 2023 visual design, created by fellow Marin County locals Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners (BSSP), showcases a vibrant and captivating visual that reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of MVFF, known for its innovative programming, commitment to creative exploration, and dedication to highlighting exceptional cinematic works.
“We are delighted to showcase the MVFF46 poster, a result of our ongoing collaboration, now in its eighth year, with the talented team at BSSP,” said MVFF Founder and Festival Director Mark Fishkin. “BSSP’s creative expertise and passion for film align perfectly with our mission to bring outstanding storytelling through the medium of film to our audiences. The poster embodies the energy and inspiring experiences that make the world of film so unique.”
“Our long-standing relationship with MVFF is, like the films they showcase yearly, rewarding, inspiring, and a heck of a lot of fun. And this year’s concept visually brings to life that creative “spark” and connection you experience after watching a great film,” said John Butler, Co-Chairman and Founding Partner at BSSP.
As the festival approaches, further details about the exciting lineup and special events will be announced and updated on the the official MVFF website.
For a reminder of how the festival continues to grow and innovate In the years since the worst of the pandemic, the 45th Mill Valley Film Festival kicked off with the star-studded whodunit of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and ended 10 days later with the spine-tingling tale of The Good Nurse. In between those two was an avalanche of amazing film that provided an early look at upcoming Academy Award contenders, some of the best films from around the globe, many talented Bay Area filmmakers and acclaimed filmmakers from countries all around the world.
“The 45th Mill Valley Film Festival brought the community back to the cinemas in great numbers; the energy and excitement of our audiences were palpable, and I couldn’t be happier that we were able to come together to celebrate the magic of cinema,” MVFF Founder and Director Mark Fishkin says of the 2022 festival.
In addition to immersing the community in great film for nearly two weeks, the breadth and depth of MVFF45 was encapsulated by the sheer raw numbers: it drew more 32,000 attendees in person and 9,300 virtually, including 49 premieres and 146 films, 75 features, and 71 shorts, representing 34 countries. Fifty-four percent of the films were directed or co-directed by women. MVFF educational arm reached more than 10,000 students across the US with virtual programming, and in-person screenings and school visits in Marin County, San Francisco, and the East Bay.
Check out the images below of some of the talented actors and directors who graced MVFF45.
Other awards given during MVFF this year include:
Nikyatu Jusu – MVFF Award for Debut Feature | NANNY; Brendan Fraser – MVFF Award for his Exceptional Performance | THE WHALE; James Gray – MVFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Directing | ARMAGEDDON TIME; Daniel Giménez Cacho – MVFF Award for Acting | BARDO, FALSE CHRONICLE OF A HANDFUL OF TRUTHS; Noah Baumbach – MVFF Award for Screenwriting | WHITE NOISE; Evgeny Afineevsky – MVFF Power of Cinema Award | FREEDOM ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM; WOMEN TALKING – Mind the Gap Award Ensemble; Chinonye Chukwu and Danielle Deadwyler – Mind the Gap Award for Creativity & Truth | TILL; Ellie Foumbi – Mind the Gap Creation Prize for Directorial Debut | OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL.