In the midst of an extraordinary year of transformation, uncertainty, and hope, we honor the artists who make cinema the vibrant, vital art form we celebrate each year. Mind the Gap continues to do this by proudly supporting female filmmakers, nonbinary filmmakers, and other marginalized filmmakers. This year, we are happy to announce the return of the Mind the Gap Summit where we will discuss what comes next for the art and business of cinema, and share in the joy of community. Our films and programs highlight bold female and nonbinary perspectives that will challenge, empower, and inspire you. We look forward to celebrating at the festival and hope you will join us.

MIND THE GAP DAY

Saturday, 7 October • All Day | Outdoor Art Club • CinéArts Sequoia • Smith Rafael Film Center

Join us as we celebrate the incredible work of female filmmakers, nonbinary filmmakers, trans filmmakers, and other marginalized filmmakers from around the world. Mind the Gap Day is an opportunity for the public, the local film community, and all festival attendees to experience a curated day of Mind the Gap-centered programming. The festivities include the Mind the Gap Summit & Networking Lunch, screenings, happy hour, and more!

MIND THE GAP SUMMIT 2023

9:00am – 12:30pm | Outdoor Art Club Redwood Grove

Join us as we celebrate the incredible work of female filmmakers from around the world. Mind the Gap Day is an opportunity for the public, the local film community, and all festival attendees to experience a curated day of Mind the Gap-centered programming. The festivities include the Mind the Gap Summit & Networking Lunch, screenings, happy hour, and more!

SUMMIT PROGRAMS ARE FREE • A TICKET IS REQUIRED

LUNCH CAN BE PURCHASED BELOW

Director, cinematographer and Mind the Gap honoree Rachel Morrison will open this year's Summit in a special keynote address.

Rachel Morrison has long been a source of inspiration as one of the rare women to make and maintain a distinguished career as a cinematographer. With iconic films like Fruitvale Station, Mudbound (MVFF40), and Black Panther, she has made a significant contribution to recent cinema. This year, she adds to an already notable career as she makes her directorial debut with The Fire Inside, to be released in December.

Sarah Friedland’s debut feature film, Familiar Touch, is a beautiful, poignant story about a woman who “comes of old age” as she adjusts to her new life in a retirement home. This conversation will explore the film’s creation, Sarah’s artistic process, and filmmaking as a space for community and connection.


Sarah Friedland • Familiar Touch
Moderator: Osinachi Ibe • Programmer + Mind the Gap Manager

Creative collaboration can drive the art of filmmaking: but who are key collaborators and allies, especially for a first-time narrative filmmaker? Unpacking this and more, a panel of up and coming filmmakers will share insights, experiences and inspirations from working on their debut features. 

INVITED GUESTS:
Liz Cairns •  Inedia
Biliana Grozdanova • Eastern Western
Marina Grozdanova • Eastern Western
Alex Hedison • Alok

Moderator: Zoë Elton • MVFF + Mind the Gap Director of Programming

The images we see onscreen can influence our attitudes about each other, can inspire identification and recognition of who we are, can provide role models. A group of creatives look at the way women and non-binary characters are represented on screen, and the importance of those images in our lives.

INVITED GUESTS:
Natalie Morales • My Dead Friend Zoe 
Sonequa Martin-Green •  My Dead Friend Zoe
Additional Panelists TBA

Moderator: TBA

A celebration of the work of cinematographer and director Rachel Morrison, recipient of the Mind the Gap Award.

Zoë Elton and Osinachi Ibe will announce the recipient of the 2024 Mind the Gap Creation Prize.

MIND THE GAP NETWORKING LUNCH

12:35pm | Outdoor Art Club Front Patio

$25.00 PER GUEST

An opportunity for all Mind the Gap summit participants to connect, share a meal, and engage in conversations following a morning of panels.

* Presales for the networking lunch have ended.
There will be meals avaliable for purchase at lunch until supplies run out.

GET TICKETS

MIND THE GAP HAPPY HOUR

5:00 – 7:00pm | Outdoor Art Club

HAPPY HOUR IS FREE • SUMMIT RSVP REQUIRED

Mind the Gap Day participants will settle in for drinks, appetizers, and good conversation with fellow participants,  filmmakers, and other guests attending the festival.

MIND THE GAP DAY SCREENINGS

MIND THE GAP AWARDS 2023

DR. JIMMEKA ANDERSON
VISION IN FILM EDUCATION

EMERALD FENNELL
FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR

LYNN HERSHMAN LEESON
VISIONARY ARTIST • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS

MIND THE GAP CREATION PRIZE

The Mind the Gap Creation Prize is given to a narrative or documentary feature-length film directed by a first- or second-time female filmmaker. The award recognizes exciting new voices in cinema that demonstrate creativity of vision and exceptional use of the film medium. The Creation Prize recipient is selected by a jury made up of Mind the Gap curators and key supporters, and a Mind the Gap Award recipient. The director of the winning film receives a $10,000 grant that can be used at their discretion.

2023 NOMINEES + RECIPIENT

LILA AVILÉS
RECIPIENT
 TÓTEM

HADLEY AUSTIN
NOMINEE
DEMON MINERAL

MONICA SORELLE
NOMINEE
MOUNTAINS

2023 JURY MEMBERS:

Zoë Elton • MVFF + Mind The Gap Director of Programming
Osinachi Ibe • Mind the Gap Manager
KD Davis • Emeritus MVFF Senior World Cinema Programmer
Christine Schantz • Mind the Gap Executive Advisor & Creation Prize Underwriter
Celeste Wong • MVFF US Indies Programmer 



THANK YOU TO OUR MIND THE GAP SPONSORS

CHRISTINE A. SCHANTZ