ALAN ARKIN
Throughout his long and notable career as an actor, Alan Arkin created roles in films that have a very special place in film history, like The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (1966, filmed partly in Mendocino); the iconic Catch-22 (1970); Little Miss Sunshine (2006, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor). He made his directorial debut with Little Murders (1995), shown as part of MVFF’s 1995 Tribute to him—which was, surprisingly, his first career honors.

ELEANOR COPPOLA
A consummate creative, Eleanor Coppola was an artist, filmmaker, writer and more. Her creativity seemed part of the fabric of her being. As matriarch of one of cinema’s greatest dynasties, her experiences, both autobiographical and semi-autobiographical, made their way into films such as Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991), her documentary about Apocalypse Now (1979); and her first narrative feature—made at the age of 80—Paris Can Wait(2016), both of which played at MVFF.

ROGER CORMAN
Roger Corman, who passed away at 98, produced, directed, and distributed many independent low-budget movies, including a celebrated cycle of Edgar Allan Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price. As mentor to young filmmakers, he produced early work by Francis Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, Ron Howard, and James Cameron, among others. The Mill Valley Film Festival hosted a tribute to Roger in 1981 which included a special screening of The Little House of Horrors (1960).

ROBERT DALVA
Film editor extraordinaire Robert “Bob” Dalva was beloved in Marin County and beyond. Nominated for an Academy Award for his editing work on The Black Stallion (1979), he went on to direct The Black Stallion Returns (1983). His editing credits include Raising Cain (1992), and October Sky (1999). Always willing to mentor aspiring talent, he was editor on local twin brothers Logan and Noah Miller’s Touching Home (2008). A true icon, Bob even had a mention in the tongue-in-cheek 1985 Mill Valley Film Festival trailer.

BARBARA DANE
Singer-songwriter and activist Barbara Dane’s music was eclectic, spanning folk, blues and jazz. Courageous and compassionate throughout her long career, she fought for civil rights and social change; her song Blues over Bodega was inspired by her activism. We hosted the World Premiere of Maureen Gosling’s The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane (2023) at MVFF46 followed by a tribute concert at the Sweetwater Music Hall honoring Barbara’s extraordinary life with Barbara herself in attendance.

NINFA DAWSON
Ninfa Dawson was an active supporter of the Bay Area film festival world through her many  decades of volunteering. She was known affectionately to those who knew her as Saint Ninfa. She recruited and managed a loyal cadre of volunteers for San Francisco International, San Francisco Jewish, Latino, Italian, Berlin and Beyond, Frameline, CAAM (Asian), SF Silent and the Mostly British Film Festivals. Ninfa was involved with the Mill Valley Film Festival for over 40 years, and was an enthusiastic member of the California Film Institute, participating well into her 80’s.

MAUREEN GROPER
A CAFILM member and donor for over 25 years, Maureen had a smile for everyone. She was an educator and passionate environmentalist, a founding member of the Friends of Corte Madera Creek and a member of both the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and Wildcare. She was a proud member of the Marin Rose Society and has a rose named after her. The Maureen Groper Trophy is an annual best of show prize. Maureen was indeed sweet as a rose.

ZAKIR HUSSAIN
Zakir Hussain was one of the music greats of our times. Born in Mumbai, the long-time Marin resident was a legendary tabla virtuoso and percussionist who opened minds and hearts to Indian classical music, as well as fusion music with other genres that led to projects like the supergroup Shakti. One of the most inspiring evenings in the annals of MVFF was his performance at Alexander’s Rugs following the documentary Zakir and His Friends (Lutz Leonhardt, 1998). His work can be heard on soundtracks like Ismail Merchant’s Mystic Masseur (MVFF 2001); and he presented Mira Nair with the MVFF Award at her Tribute and US premiere of The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012).

DOUG JONES
Film programmer, exhibitor and all-around good bloke Doug Jones had an eclectic, passionate and brilliant knowledge of cinema that ranged from the classic to the indie, from the dramatic to the whimsical—and everything in between. His early programming days at MVFF and SFFilm made a deep impression on all who knew and worked with him before he went on to the likes of SXSW and the Los Angeles Film Festival, and, recently, to Vidiots theater and video store.

PHIL LESH
A founding member and bassist of the Grateful Dead, Phil was a legendary musician renowned for his innovative basslines and improvisational skills. His contributions to music and the community are immeasurable; he fostered a sense of belonging and shared experience through countless live performances. In 2017, he took part in an MVFF music show and benefit at the Sweetwater Music Hallj, From California to Haiti.

TOM LUDDY
Telluride FIlm Festival co-founder Tom Luddy had an extensive knowledge of film, a deep love of cinema, and a profound connection with many of the world’s great filmmakers: his address book was legendary (and the envy of many). As producer, his projects included Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (MVFF 1980) and Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters(MVFF 1985); as a friend and colleague, he supported and mentored many. It was Luddy and his partners’ vision at Telluride that originally inspired an upstart film festival in Mill Valley.

JUDY NOWLIN
Judy Nowlin was a Board member of the California Film Institute from 1988 to 1993.

During her tenure as Board president, the most critical question was whether CAFilm should have its own theater to support independent cinema. In retrospect, it is evident that without Judy’s passion and her ability to persuade and connect with other stakeholders, the organization would never have moved forward on building the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center. She and her husband Jerry moved to Park City, Utah before the campaign officially started in 1994. They continued their support by hosting staff and putting together receptions for prospective donors at their home during the Sundance Film Festival.

RYAN O’NEAL
Ryan O’Neal had a long and notable career in Hollywood, making headlines on and off screen. He was delightful and in fine form when he attended Opening Night of the Mill Valley Film Festival in 1997 when the MVFF premiered An Alan Smithee Film – Burn, Hollywood, Burn.

GENA ROWLANDS
Gena Rowlands’ fearless brilliance helped define the best of American Independent cinema, through extraordinary performances including those in A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980) in collaboration with her director/husband John Cassavetes; and films like Night on Earth (Jim Jarmusch, 1991) and Unhook the Stars (Nick Cassavetes, 1996). Her MVFF Tribute in 2004 was inspiring, a legendary moment in MVFF history.

BARBARA RUSH
A talented and charismatic actress of film, TV and stage, Barbara’s diverse career spanned decades. She won the Golden Globe for her performance in It Came from Outer Space (1953) and went on to star in such films as The Young Philadelphians (1959), Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) and Hombre (1967). She became a regular in TV movies, miniseries, and dramas such as Peyton Place and the daytime soap opera All My Children. We honored Barbara with a Tribute at the 42nd Mill Valley Film Festival in 2019, where she charmed the audience with her grace and impeccable style.

DAVID SANBORN
An incredibly talented saxophonist who could not be pigeonholed and whose musical style melded jazz, pop and R&B, his decades-long career garnered him six Grammys, eight gold albums and one platinum. David performed at a very special 1990 tribute to Hal Willner during the Mill Valley Film Festival.

DONALD SUTHERLAND
MVFF’s 2005 Tribute to Donald Sutherland featured his then-newest film, Pride and Prejudice, in which he played Mr Bennet with a dry, sly humor. He was the most hands-on of any of our tributees in creating the career clip reel for the program. His suggestions for “one-liners” from his storied career were top-notch and fearless—with a filmography like his, of course they were, with films like M*A*S*H (1970), Klute (1971), Don’t Look Now (1973), 1900 (1976), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), and many more.

BILL VIOLA
Bill Viola helped establish video as art, through single channel and installation pieces. Influenced by Eastern and Western art and by spiritual practices that informs the experience of his work, he engaged with image and sound in ways that can be deeply transforming for the viewer. As the earliest film festival to embrace video via our Videofest, MVFF looked to Viola for inspiration into this evolving art form.

TREAT WILLIAMS
A solid and accomplished actor of the stage, film and TV with a career that spanned five decades, Treat Williams had an everyman quality that was both appealing and compelling. Whether playing Danny Zuko in the stage production of Grease, Stanley Kowalski in the 1984 film of A Streetcar Named Desire, or Lenny Ross in TV’s Blue Bloods, he made it all look effortless. Treat attended the Mill Valley Film Festival for the World Premiere of Smooth Talk (1985).

ROBERT M. YOUNG
Robert M. Young, one of the pioneers of American Independent Cinema, passed away in 2024 at the age of 99. He was a stalwart supporter of the “ordinary man”; his films gave voice to those who had been dealt a raw deal. He also made studio films but was primarily known for films like The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982), shown at his MVFF Tribute in 1983, and Alambrista! (1977). He was also very fond of the MVFF. During his appearances at the festival, many in the company of his friend and colleague Edward James Olmos, it was always an event.