HOW TO FEST

There’s a few different ways to get tickets for MVFF, so let’s break it down!

• Individual Tickets: You can purchase individual tickets through the festival by going to our Browse Page. 
• Ticket Packs: We only sell these ticket bundles in the summer leading up to the festival (but check out our Early Bird page to plan for next year!) If you purchased an Early Bird Ticket Pack, you’ll receive a voucher code to claim your tickets. 
• CAFilm Membership: Membership offers the best value and flexibility year-round—and exclusive early access to festival tickets during three days of member presales. Higher level memberships include MVFF tickets and Filmmaker Lounge access, as well as exclusive members-only screenings and events. You can learn more about becoming a member on our CAFilm website.

Our 2025 selection of films will be announced on Sept 10. You can check out all the titles on our Browse Program page.

In 2025, tickets will be released at NOON on the following days for selected audience types and membership levels:

• Sept 10: Bronze, Silver, and Donor Circle
• Sept 12: Cinema Benefactor, Premier Patron, and Sponsor and above
• Sept 14: Directors Circle and above
• Sept 15: All CAFILM Members
• Sept 18: General Public

• From Sept 10–Oct 1, our main Box Office Hub can be found in the Mark Fishkin Room at the Smith Rafael Film Center, open 11am–5pm daily (closed Fridays).
• From Sept 18–Oct 1, we’ll also have a satellite box office at the Sequoia Cinema open M–Th 4–7:30pm and Sa–Su 1–5pm. During the festival, we’ll also have additional member support available in the library of the Outdoor Art Club.
• At all our screening venues during the festival, Festival Box Offices will open 1 hour before the first screening of the day and close 15 minutes after the last.
• In addition to our main Box Offices in the San Rafael Film Center and the Sequoia, we’ll also have in-person support available at the Lark Theater and BAMPFA.
• In an effort to remain as accessible as possible, remote Box Office support will be available from Sept 8 through the end of the festival. You can get help by emailing [email protected] or by starting a chat on our website.
• You can reach our Box Office team by phone at (415) 818-8757. In the lead up to the festival, phone lines will be open M–F from 10:00am–7:00pm and Sa–Su from 12–5pm. During the festival, lines will be open everyday 10am–7pm.

Our box offices can be found at the following addresses, but hours vary (see above):

• Smith Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth St, San Rafael, CA (from 9/10)
• Sequoia Cinema, 25 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA (from 9/18)
• Outdoor Art Club, 1 W Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley, CA (for members during the festival)
• Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA (during the festival)
• BAMPFA, 2155 Center St, Berkeley, CA (during the festival)

• Schedule & Program: Check out our online festival schedule to see this year’s films, panels, and special events. Plan your days around the screenings and events you don’t want to miss.
• Festival Map: We have a Google Map already loaded with all the most important venues for the festival.
• Accommodation: If you’re coming from out of town, we recommend booking somewhere to stay as early as possible. We’ve partnered with some local hotels to offer special rates for festival attendees. Have a look at places we like on our Lodging in Marin page.

• Transportation: You can get to MVFF by car, public transit, and bike… although you might want to consider using rideshare services to avoid parking hassles (see below).

• Venues: Familiarize yourself with our screening venues by checking out their websites. We’ve also provided links to their locations on Google Maps—just click the street addresses below.
  • Sequoia Cinema – 25 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley
  • The Smith Rafael Film Center – 1118 4th St, San Rafael
  • The Lark Theater – 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur
  • BAMPFA – 2155 Center St, Berkeley
  • The Outdoor Art Club – 1 Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley
• Parking:
  • The Rafael Film Center: On 4th Street and around the theater, there is 2-hour metered street parking everyday from 9am–6pm. Extended 4-hour metered parking is available. For more help planning, here’s a map of public parking in San Rafael.
  • Sequoia Cinema: Parking near the Mill Valley Depot is convenient, with a public lot located directly across the street and metered spaces available throughout the downtown area. Meters accept coins, credit cards, and the ParkMobile app. Additional street parking can be found around the Sequoia Theater and throughout downtown, but spaces may be limited, so patrons are encouraged to plan for extra time. For those visiting in the evening, free parking is available after 5:00 PM at City Hall (26 Corte Madera Avenue), just a short walk from the theater.
  • BAMPFA: 2- and 4-hour metered street parking is available in downtown Berkeley. Nearby paid parking garages include the Allston Way Parking Garage (between Shattuck and Milvia), the Oxford Parking Garage (on Kittredge west of Oxford), and the Center Street Garage (at 2025 Center Street, accessible from Center or Addison Streets). 
  • The Lark: There is public parking available next door to the theater. 2-hour street parking available on Magnolia.

• Accessibility: More information about accessible parking can be found on our Accessibility page.

• Arriving at Screenings: Lines open 1 hour before each screening. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early to find a seat and avoid missing the start of the film. If you don’t arrive early, we may give away your seat to someone in our Standby (Rush) Line.

• Standby (Rush) Lines: If a screening is sold out, don’t despair! Standby Tickets are released 15 minutes before showtime on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re only available in person at the venue and can’t be purchased with vouchers.  Get in the Standby (Rush) Line early for your chance to grab a ticket!

• Festival Etiquette: We ask that you be courteous to others. Remember to silence your phone, put it away during screenings, and respect our No Talking rule. Please read CAFILM’s Code of Conduct before attending the festival.

• Other Venue Guidelines + Rules: 

• • Outside food and beverage won’t be allowed in any of our venues–but we do sell concessions! BAMPFA has a zero food and beverage policy.

• • Please turn off phones and all other electronic or noise-making devices while attending screenings and events.

• • The use of cameras and recording devices is strictly prohibited during all screenings and events and may result in removal from the venue.

• • Oversized bags, with the exception of medical equipment and childcare bags, are not allowed inside any of our venues. Bags 12" x 12" x 6" and smaller are permitted.

• • Please DO NOT sit in a reserved seat unless it has been pre-arranged for you. Reserved seats are limited to specific donor levels (usually by name or badge type) or for special circumstances, including accessibility requests.

• • Please also don’t stand next to reserved seats in the hopes of them being released. For venue safety and its fire code, all aisles must be clear unless actively walking to or from your seat. Standing in the back of theater spaces or sitting in aisles or stairs is not allowed.

Badge Pick-Up: If you have a Festival Badge waiting for you, we encourage you to pick it up before the festival starts. All badges will be available to pick up at the following locations and times.

• Pre-Festival
  Smith Rafael Film Center - Mark Fishkin Room
  Sept 28–Oct 1
  12–8pm

• During the Festival
  Outside of the Outdoor Art Club
  Oct 2–12
  12–8pm + extended hours during our Opening Weekend and always 1 hour before screenings scheduled in the Sequoia Cinema

Check out this video for more info on picking up your badge:

We’ve heard from some people that sometimes content or tickets are not showing up on our website.  Usually it’s an easy fix: If you’re using Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox you can quickly clear cache with a keyboard shortcut. While in your browser, press Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Delete at the same time to open the appropriate window. If you continue to have trouble, get in touch with our box office team by chat or email [email protected].

• Visit our website: Head to our MVFF Browse page.

• Find the event: Navigate to the Now Showing header on the affiliated venues page or browse through the screening program and events listings to find the event for which you want to reserve tickets.

• Select your tickets: Click the “GET TICKETS” button under the event listing. Choose the date and time for the event you’d like to attend and then click “BUY TICKETS”.

• Voucher or Discount Codes [Optional]: If you have a voucher or discount code, enter it before adding your tickets. Click “HAVE A VOUCHER OR DISCOUNT CODE?” and enter the code. You should see a new ticket price appear.

• Add to cart: After choosing the date and time for the event, a new window will open. Choose how many tickets you want and then click “ADD” (below the ticket types) to add the selected tickets to your cart. If you’re purchasing a companion ticket for ADA seating, make sure to also add that ticket to your cart now.

• Review your order: Check your cart to make sure you have the right number of tickets to the correct events. You can now go to checkout or select “CLOSE” to add more tickets. If continuing to checkout, select the “CHECKOUT” button on the following page.

• Log In or Create an Account: You’ll need to log in to your existing account or create a new one. 

• Enter payment information: Enter your payment details (including billing information) to complete the purchase. We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

• Confirm your reservation: Review all details one last time and confirm your reservation by clicking “MAKE PAYMENT”. You should receive a confirmation email or notification with your ticket details and a reference number.

• Print or Download Tickets: You’ll be receiving your tickets electronically by email. These tickets can then be downloaded, printed, or added to the wallet on your smartphone.

We're so glad you asked!

My Calendar keeps all your screenings and events in one place. Sign into your account at the top right corner of our website so you can see your tickets, plan your schedule, and export to your personal calendar.

• View everything in one place – All your screenings and events are organized together.
• Plan your time – Check for open time slots before buying more tickets.
• Sync to your life – Export or sync your festival schedule with Google, iCal, or Outlook so you’ll always have it handy.
  

With My Calendar, your festival experience stays organized, flexible, and stress-free.

• Visit our Website: Go to the MVFF Ticketing page https://www.mvff.com/attend/
• Log In to Your Account: Look for the member icon on the top right hand corner of the window screen, enter your credentials (email address + password), and log in. 
• Access Your Account Dashboard: Once logged in, head to your account dashboard and find “MY E-DELIVERY ITEMS” or “VIEW YOUR ORDERS” under your Account Options.
• View More Info: From this page you can view more details about your tickets including more event info, seat assignments (if applicable), and ticket status.
• Print or Download Your Tickets: You can always add your tickets to your smartphone’s wallet, or you can download and print them from this page. Look for buttons labeled “Print Tickets,” “Download PDF,” or “View Ticket.”

• Before You Add Tickets: You have to enter any voucher or discount codes before adding tickets. All codes basically unlock new prices for you, so you need to enter them before adding tickets to your cart. Go to any event, click “GET TICKETS” and then find “HAVE A VOUCHER OR DISCOUNT CODE?”

• Enter Your Code: Make sure you double check spelling and formatting. Click “SUBMIT” and you should see the new ticket prices. Go ahead and add these newly priced tickets to your cart.

• Checkout: Make sure all your requested tickets are in your cart and check out as normal.

• Confirmation: After completing the transaction, you should receive a confirmation email or notification with the details of your purchase and the applied voucher.

• Voucher Expiry: Make sure the voucher hasn’t expired and is valid for the event(s) you’re trying to book. Remember, most vouchers and discount codes only apply to regularly priced events (and usually exclude Big Nights).
• Terms and Conditions: Verify that the voucher terms match the items you’re trying to purchase (e.g. specific events, ticket types, voucher allotments).
• Correct Code: Double-check that the voucher code is entered correctly without extra spaces or typos.
• Reach Out to Box Office: Still having trouble? Email us at [email protected] or stop by one of our box offices.

At any time, you can visit mvff.com/available and find a list of films with tickets still available (you can also toggle to see available events by date). We occasionally release more tickets in the lead-up to the festival, so check back often. 

We also have a daily ticket drop at 12pm throughout the festival. If an event you really want to see has been sold out, check our website on the day of the event at noon!

Otherwise, you may want to look at our Standby/Rush options (see below)...

During the festival, you can visit mvff.com/available and find a list of films with tickets still available. If a screening shows as “Standby,” it’s probably because we hold some tickets for special guests and partners. But don’t worry—Standby Tickets may still be available!

We’ll continue to release more tickets in the lead-up to the festival (so check that website often). We also have daily ticket drops at 12pm throughout the festival.

In addition to our daily ticket drops, more Standby (Rush) Tickets are released 15 minutes before showtime on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re only available in person at the venue and can’t be purchased online or with vouchers.  Get in the Standby (Rush) Line early (up to an hour before) for your chance to grab a ticket!

Throughout the festival, MVFF welcomes artists from across the film industry to discuss their films. Big Nights usually feature directors, actors, writers, and other talent and may also include the chance to meet them and learn more about the making of their films through brunches, dinners, talkbacks, and more! You can find more info about Big Nights by heading to our Browse Program page and filtering by Section (on the lefthand side).

Mind the Gap continues to proudly champion bold female and nonbinary filmmakers through special events and screenings. The Mind the Gap Summit is a half-day intensive session featuring presentations, discussions, and master classes led by an extraordinary line-up of creatives and thought leaders. Following the summit, attendees are invited to a networking luncheon on site providing an opportunity to connect with each other, share insights, and celebrate the power of community. Find out more info on our Mind the Gap page.

Active Cinema is a forum for films united in their commitment to explore the world and its issues, engage audiences, and transform ideas into action for positive change.

Join us for screenings throughout the Festival, support the grassroots activism of the filmmakers, and engage with the admirable work of special guests, co-presenters, and partners. Check it out on our Active Cinema page.

¡VIVA EL CINE! celebrates the richness of Ibero-American cinema, encompassing films in Spanish and Portuguese as well as Latinx and Latin American cinema from around the world. Our initiative curates a selection of films that resonate deeply with these communities, bringing the finest international and independent films to the screen. We create a space through cinema where history, culture, and identity come alive. Check it out on our ¡VIVA EL CINE! page.

At MVFF you are the jury and we need your vote to support independent filmmakers!

Outside of Tributes and Spotlights, the only awards MVFF gives out come straight from our audiences. You can vote after each screening for the MVFF Audience Awards, a reflection of the people’s favorite films of the festival. These awards can have a huge impact for filmmakers and their work, so every vote counts in celebrating the movies you love!

After each screening, head to our Audience Favorite Award page and log in or enter/scan the barcode from your ticket. You’ll be able to rate each film you’ve seen from 1 to 5 stars.

• Q+A Sessions: Many screenings are followed by Q+A sessions with filmmakers, actors, and industry experts where you can gain valuable insights and even ask your own questions!

• Panels + Summits: Also known as Behind the Screens, these events are opportunities to learn more about filmmaking, industry trends, and behind-the-scenes stories.

• Special Events: Don’t miss our special events, including opening and closing night parties, award ceremonies, and themed events. These are great opportunities to socialize and network. Head to our Browse Page and use the filters on the left to find Tributes, Spotlights, Centerpieces, and more!

• At Our Theaters: Most of our screening venues have concessions including snacks and beverages. Unfortunately, no outside food or drinks are allowed.

• Local Dining: We have so many restaurants and cafés we recommend—and they often have discounts for festival attendees! Check out some options on our town websites to explore the vibrant dining scenes of Mill Valley and San Rafael.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads for the latest news, behind-the-scenes photos, and festival highlights. Use the hashtag #MVFF48 and tag us with @MillValleyFilmFestival on Facebook and @millvalleyfilmfest on Instagram to share your experiences. Also, make sure to sign up for our MVFF newsletter!

• Volunteering: Interested in getting involved? Come join our team of volunteers! It’s a great way to meet people and get a behind-the-scenes look at the festival. You can find more info on our website.

• Helping with Housing: Do you live in Marin?  One of the best ways to get connected and help the festival is through donating a room during our festival for our staff who come in from out of town. If that kind of generous act seems like something you’d be interested in, you can sign up for the program using our Housing Donation Questionnaire.

• Membership: Consider becoming a CAFILM member to enjoy year-round benefits including early access to tickets, discounts, and exclusive events. More info can be found of CAFILM’s Membership page.

After the festival wraps, please take a moment to fill out our survey and let us know what you enjoyed and how we can improve. Your feedback keeps making the festival better every year!

If you need to communicate something more urgently to us, please contact [email protected].