Disclosure: I will be covering the event throughout the weekend beginning tomorrow.
The Napa Valley Film Festival kicks off its 3rd year tomorrow and goes through Sunday, November 17th. What makes the Napa Valley Film Festival different from others is indeed, the fact, that the area wineries heavily get involved. With exclusive wine dinners with exceptional food, it makes for a great night.
Also, apparent at the Napa Valley Film Festival are various wine pavilions throughout the 4 villages that represent a lot of the Napa area wineries. In Calistoga for the day, stop into town and take advantage of discounts at area venues, shops and restaurants. The same holds true for St. Helena, Yountville and, of course, Napa.
This years festivals includes a variety of films from Studios sneak peeks to narrative features and shorts, documentary features and short subjects, world cinema, student shorts. This years festival is taking place over 5 days in 4 villages at 12 screening venues. 125 films. 300 filmmakers. 50 chefs. 150 wines. An event truly not to be missed.
With exclusive opening night parties to a closing awards ceremony there’s something for everyone that partakes in this year’s festival.
A few films I’m look forward to include Saving Mr. Banks, Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom, and Labor Day sneak peeks. I’m also looking forward to a few short festivals that will be making the rounds throughout the festival including spending an afternoon watching a plethora of narrative shorts. Start as early as 10am with your movie watching and go until 11pm or later.
This year there are also a variety of lounge areas that you can stop into including the Stella Artois Lounge in Napa, and also some fest lounges located close to the screening venues, making it convenient for you to hang out and discuss films with other film festers.
At the festival you make your experience happen whether you stop in for a day with a day pass: 75 dollars
A full festival pass: 250 dollars
Pass Plus: Everything that the full festival pass has included extra perks, additional entrance into other festival special events
Patron Plus: 2500+: Get up close to the celebrities, filmmakers and others at the festival. Get priority seating and invited to exclusive events.
Uptown Pass: Sunday Only
Guaranteed access to the full day and evening program on Sunday at the Uptown Theatre in Napa. Includes the day’s lineup of rock and roll docs Who Shot Rock ‘n Roll?, Good Ol’ Freda, and Sound City, with Dave Grohl doing a Q&A. Plus the Awards Ceremony and the Closing Night Wrap Party. Limited number available.
I’ll be covering the festival throughout the 5 days beginning tomorrow. Follow along on my adventures @jamiegall1930 on both Twitter and Instagram.
Full recaps of the festival will be happening next week. Stay tuned.
