As the world around us changes in ways that challenge and uplift us, we are reminded of the work we must do to make the film industry a more just and inclusive space. Mind the Gap continues to work towards this by championing women and other marginalized voices in cinema. This year, we are celebrating powerful connections that spark inspiration. Our exciting slate of films and programming centers female filmmakers across the globe, and reveals the vision, resolve, and clarity of purpose we must draw on to find the best way forward. We are proud to celebrate these vibrant films and filmmakers, and hope you will join us.

2022 MIND THE GAP AWARD RECIPIENTS

CHINONYE CHUKWU
CREATIVITY AND TRUTH • DIRECTING
TILL

DANIELLE DEADWYLER
CREATIVITY AND TRUTH • ACTING
TILL

FRANCES MCDORMAND
FOR SARAH POLLEY & ENSEMBLE
WOMEN TALKING

PRATIBHA PARMAR
FILMMAKER & ACTIVIST
MY NAME IS ANDREA

2022 MIND THE GAP CREATION PRIZE

ELLIE FOUMBI
OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL

The Mill Valley Film Festival announces the winner for the 2022 Mind The Gap Creation Prize of $10,000.00. Awarded to Ellie Foumbi. The prize — presented to a first- or second-time Mind the Gap filmmaker — recognizes exciting new voices in cinema who demonstrate creativity of vision and exceptional use of the film medium.

OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL, Ellie Foumbi’s daring directorial debut, is a morally sophisticated exploration of trauma, revenge, and redemption like never seen before. From start to finish, the film subverts expectations and boldly challenges audiences to see the full humanity of a woman who faces the darkness from her past and the pain it has manifested in her.

As the jury discussed the merits of this exceptional work and its creator, they found their definition of creativity expanded. Ellie’s clear vision, graceful narrative choices, and deft aesthetic choices shone through in every frame and revealed a filmmaker who is in total command of her craft. Her willingness to explore such challenging subject matter with dignity makes her a vital new voice in contemporary cinema.  The Festival is honored to give Ellie the 2022 Mind the Gap Creation Prize, and excited to see what she does next.

A jury of industry professionals selected the 2022 Creation Prize recipient. The 2022 jury includes Zoë Elton, MVFF & MTG Director of Programming; Osinachi Ibe, MTG Production Manager; KD Davis, MVFF Senior Programmer–World Cinema; Celeste Wong, MVFF US Indies Programmer; Christine A. Schantz, MTG Executive Advisor and Creation Prize Underwriter, and Pratibha Parmar, filmmaker, and past Mind the Gap Award recipient. All first- or second-time Mind The Gap filmmakers screening their narrative or documentary feature-length film at the 2022 Mill Valley Film Festival were eligible. This year’s Prize was selected from 11 eligible films. The recipient receives a $10,000 prize to use at their discretion.

2022 NOMINEES

ELLIE FOUMBI, Our Father, the Devil | NIKYATU JUSU, Nanny | MORISSA MALTZ, The Unknown Country

“All three finalists for the Creation Prize, Ellie Foumbi, Nikyatu Jusu and Morrisa Maltz, give me great faith in what may be shaping up to be an extraordinary generation of filmmakers,” enthuses Zoe Elton, Mill Valley Film Festival and Mind The Gap Director of Programming.
“Each of them has engaged with cinema and storytelling in ways that are committed, aesthetically compelling, politically astute. I feel so inspired by these full-hearted artists and congratulate each of them on their work and their nominations.”

PANELS

EVOLUTION OF ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN’S ROLES ON SCREEN

ONLINE | FREE

Our annual roundtable series, Evolution of Roles On Screen for Historically Excluded Communities, began in 2020 with Evolution of Black Women’s Roles Onscreen and continued in 2021 with Evolution of Latina Roles Onscreen. This year’s pre-recorded conversation will be with film professionals in a variety of different creative roles, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, and will explore the state of representation for Asian American women in film. The speakers will discuss how representation in Hollywood and beyond has evolved for Asian American women, and speak to their own experience navigating the industry.

SHIRLEY KURATA, Costume Designer, Everything Everywhere All At Once | MICHELLE CHUNG, Makeup Dept. Head, Everything Everywhere All At Once | SUJATA DAY, Writer-Director-Actor, Definition Please | Moderator: LAURA SIRIKUL, Writer

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

MIND THE GAP DIRECTORS FORUM

SATURDAY, OCT. 8
12:00PM – 1:30PM | SWEETWATER MUSIC HALL | FREE

Telling stories, mining for truths both big and small: With approaches both fictional and non-fictional, these directors all delve into their subjects with impressive creativity and thought. Join us in person for this keystone Mind the Gap event that promises an engaged discussion about the state of the art from an international perspective.

MARGARET BROWN, Descendant | LAURE DE CLERMONT-TONNERE, Lady Chatterley’s Lover  |  PHYLLIS NAGY, Call Jane  |  DIANE ROBINSON, The Young Vote  |  Moderator: ZOË ELTON, MVFF & Mind the Gap Director of Programming

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY: AN EXPLORATORY FILMMAKING PROCESS

SUNDAY, OCT. 9
12:00PM – 1:30PM | OUTDOOR ART CLUB GARDEN | FREE

An exciting conversation with the filmmakers of The Unknown Country, a dazzling, poetic narrative-documentary feature film that demonstrates how cinema can be used as a means to listen, understand, and honor human dignity. The conversation will focus on the film’s unique development and financing, finding the creative process, and establishing a sustainable filmmaking practice.

MORISSA MALTZ, writer-director |  LAINEY BEARKILLER SHANGREAUX, producer | VANARA TIANG, editor-producer | LILY GLADSTONE, actress  |  Moderator: OSINACHI IBE, Mind the Gap Production Manager

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

GATHERINGS

BAY AREA FILM COMMUNITY MIXER

FRIDAY, OCT. 14 • 7:00 – 9:00 PM | OUTDOOR ART CLUB | FREE

An inspired gathering of filmmakers and film lovers across the Bay Area, and those attending the festival. This event aims to strengthen the existing connections in the local film community and establish new ones. The mixer will feature an open mic portion where community members can make brief announcements about their projects, programs, and other happenings. It will also include an informal happy hour and networking. All Bay Area filmmakers, film companies, organizations, and community members are encouraged to attend.

THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT TICKETS ARE REQUIRED

THANK YOU TO OUR MIND THE GAP SPONSORS

RESONANCE PHILANTHROPIES | CHRISTINE A. SCHANTZ