WELCOME TO MVFF46

We’re looking forward to another fantastic year of films, music, panels, and great conversations – and we’re so glad you can join us!

To help you navigate all of the details, we’ve created this online resource for you to reference in preparation for the Festival.

BOOKMARK THIS SITE… it will serve as your resource for all things MVFF46: Print Traffic, Travel & Hospitality, Marketing, Festival FAQs, MVFF laurels, staff contacts and other important information. Any updates will be posted here.

When are screening times announced to the filmmakers? To the public?
Filmmaker Q&A dates and times (when applicable) will be coordinated starting in late August.  The program schedule will go live in September.

  •  The filmmaker is responsible for providing a copy of their film, be it DCP and/or streaming media file, as the eventual venue demands. “Prints” must be error-checked for sound and image quality.  Please let Programming Manager Sterling Hedgpeth know if you have any specific technical questions at [email protected].
  • Please notify us if your feature-length entry has received or is scheduled to receive California-based theatrical or online release prior to MVFF’s dates: October 5-15, 2023.   Short films need not provide us with that notification.
  • MVFF does not typically pay rental fees. Instead, our limited resources are invested in the production and promotion of the best possible showcase for your work. Films may subsequently be considered for a run at our year-round venue, the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.  This may manifest as either a theatrical release or as part of our Rafael@Home online screening calendar.
  • Once a film has been confirmed, it may not be withdrawn.

We know you want to effectively promote your film and play to packed houses – we’d love to help!
Providing your most complete press materials in a timely fashion helps us help you.

CLICK HERE for important information regarding the marketing materials we require.

Please note that all marketing materials are due upon acceptance to the festival!

MVFF46 Official Selection laurels are available for download from Dropbox HERE.

Please do not announce your participation in the Festival until we announce the program in September, unless otherwise arranged with the marketing and publicity department.

    • All films must be on DCP or 35mm.
    • All feature filmmakers are expected to provide a Blu-Ray back-up copy in addition to their DCP.
    • All short filmmakers are expected to provide a Blu-Ray or ProRes or similar digital file back-up copy in addition to their DCP.
    • Deadline for DCP delivery is September 15, 2023, in the MVFF offices unless by alternate arrangement.
    • We will pay for DCP return shipment only (unless by prior arrangement).
    • Specifications for streaming files:
      • H.264 video file encoded at 10-20 Mbps (if possible, select High Profile H.264 setting instead of Main Profile when exporting the video)
      • Stereo or ProLogicII encoded 5.1 (LtRt) – ONLY include a single stereo track or mono track pair – do not include additional mixes/tracks
      • 1920×1080 resolution
      • 23.98, 24, 25, or 29.97 progressive
      • Under 12GB file size

    SimpleDCP is the DCP partner for the Mill Valley Film Festival.

    Here is their rate sheet (our partnership will give 20% off to any MVFF filmmaker):

    https://simpledcp.com/home/rates/

    Working with SimpleDCP will also automatically integrate your exhibition copy into our print traffic pipeline.

    Feel free to e-mail them with any questions: [email protected] , or go to:
    www.simpledcp.com/millvalleyff2021

    Please mail your DCP to:

    MVFF
    1001 Lootens Place, Suite 220
    San Rafael, CA  94901

    Our Print Traffic Manager is  Jesse Dubus.  Please direct any shipping and formatting questions to him.

    If you don’t think you can provide or afford a DCP copy of your film, please contact Sterling immediately.

    We are very excited to have you be a part of #MVFF46.  Thanks so much for your cooperation.

HOW MANY MVFF BADGES WILL I RECEIVE?

We provide up to two (2) badges per film upon request. Guest Services will ask for your badge information within their Festival Overview email.

WHAT PRIVILEGES DOES MY BADGE ALLOW?

  • One day before any Festival screening, each guest badge allows for ONE (1) ticket per regularly-priced show from a Festival box office (per availability). A hard ticket is required for entry to all screenings.
  • Admittance to the Festival Lounge
  • Admittance to Filmmaker events

HOW MANY TICKETS TO MY FILM DO I RECEIVE? 

GUEST BADGES COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS:

1ST IN-PERSON SCREENING

 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS:

SUBSEQUENT IN-PERSON SCREENING(S)

 ADDL. TICKETS:

OTHER IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
FEATURE FILMS 2 6 2 4
SHORTS 2 2 2 4

IMPORTANT: Inform your Guest Service rep if you don’t anticipate using ALL of your comp tickets. This prevents empty seats at your screenings. If you plan to watch your film, your seat will be taken from those comps.

ADDITIONAL TICKETS

You may purchase additional tickets per availability at the discounted filmmaker rate of $14 each. Any additional tickets purchased will not be reserved seats.

HOW DO I GET MY BADGE + TICKETS?

If you’re staying at a Festival sponsored hotel, your credentials, complimentary tickets, and a hard copy of your Festival itinerary will be awaiting for you at the front desk of the hotel. You will receive an electronic copy of your itinerary approximately 3 days before your arrival.

If you’re a local filmmaker or are staying at a non-sponsored hotel, your Festival credentials can be picked up at the:

Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 Fourth St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Sunday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 4
4:00 pm-8:00 pm

Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center | 1118 Fourth Street, San Rafael
Cinéarts Sequoia | 25 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley
Lark Theater | 549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
The Roxie | 3117 16th St, San Francisco
BAMPFA | 2555 Center St, Berkeley

HOW EARLY SHOULD I ARRIVE AT MY SCREENING?
Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your screening – Ask and look for your guest services rep in the theater lobby.

WILL I HAVE RESERVED SEATS AT MY SCREENING?
Yes, but only at first screenings. The number of reserved seats matches the number of first screening comped tickets.

HOW ARE INTROS AND CONVERSATIONS CONDUCTED?
Typically programmers give a brief 5-minute introduction before the film which filmmakers are welcome to join, but is optional. After the film, the programmer will introduce you and invite you to the stage for a 15-20 minute conversation. Let us know prior to the Festival if you have other cast / crew in attendance whom you would like to participate – we will do our best to accommodate that request.

IS MY FILM IN COMPETITION?
MVFF is not a juried film festival, but we do have an audience award that is announced at the end of the Festival.

MVFF’S Filmmakers Go to School (FGTS) program connects elementary, middle, and high school students with filmmakers from around the world by coordinating visits with classes throughout the Bay Area. Through FGTS, students get the unique opportunity to meet filmmakers and engage in in-depth discussions about their work within a small-group setting, and filmmakers get the chance to share their work with young audiences and talk with them more informally about the art, craft, and business of filmmaking.

Filmmakers are matched with classes on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in taking part in the FGTS program, please CLICK HERE, and our Education Outreach Manager, Shakira Refos, will follow up with you to match you with the appropriate class and coordinate scheduling and online logistics. An Education Department staff member will host and moderate all Virtual Visits.

PRIMARY CONTACT – General Info:
Sterling Hedgpeth, Programming Manager
Phone: 415.526.5839
Email: [email protected]

GUEST SERVICES:
Aileen Fowler, Guest Services Manager

PRINT TRAFFIC:
Jesse Dubus, Exhibition Media Manager

PROGRAMMING DEPARTMENT:
Zoë Elton, Director of Programming
João Federici, World Cinema Programmer
Kelly Clement, Documentary Programmer
Joanne Parsont, Family Films Programmer
Sterling Hedgpeth, Shorts Programmer
Celeste Truffaut-Wong, US Indies Programmer
Osinachi Ibe, Mind the Gap Manager
Shakira Refos, Behind the Screens Manager