NVFF_TOP_BANNERalignFrom the press release:

Napa, California (October 4, 2013) – Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) announced today its star-studded film and event line-up for the 2013 festival. Returning full-force November 13 – 17 and spanning Napa Valley’s four postcard perfect towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga, NVFF will feature 125 new independent films and Napa Valley’s finest wine, food, and hospitality.

After a Sneak Preview Night (Tuesday, November 12) presentation of Alexander Payne’s new film Nebraska, starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, NVFF will open officially with the highly anticipated film, August: Osage County, directed by John Wells and starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Two screenings will take place the evening of Wednesday, November 13 at the Napa Valley Opera House, followed by an Opening Night VIP Dinner Party, hosted by Benchmark Wine Group along the Napa Riverfront.

On Thursday, November 14, the Napa Valley Opera House will host a red carpet screening of Saving Mr. Banks, directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blindside) and starring Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell. Mr. Hancock and Mr. Farrell will be in attendance with other special guests. Following the film, members of the festival’s exclusive Patron Circle and Pass Plus holders join filmmakers and sponsors at the biggest party of the week at 500 First Street in Napa for the spectacular Festival Gala from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. At the Gala, attendees will enjoy live entertainment from half a dozen different acts, and culinary offerings and exclusive wine pairings from more than 25 Napa Valley top chefs and wineries. As the night moves on into the wee hours, the party will debut a VIP lounge on the building’s mezzanine level for cocktails, nibbles and late night dancing.

On Friday, November 15, Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush will host the Celebrity Tribute Program at The Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theatre in Yountville. Billy will show video highlight reels and conduct onstage interviews with Festival honorees, Director John Lee Hancock, and Rising Stars Dianna Agron and Miles Teller. Additional honorees are expected to be announced.  Following the ceremony, there will be a VIP after-party sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter at Groezinger’s Lounge.

On Saturday, November 16, NVFF hosts the New Power Lunch: Celebrating Women Making a Difference in Film at 500 First Street. The luncheon will honor the women behind the inspirational and influential films Anita and Sewing Hope, as well as raise funds for the NVFF’s year-round Education & Outreach Programs. On Saturday evening, NVFF Patrons, filmmakers and VIPS will attend a screening of Philomena, starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, at the Yountville Community Centre Theatre, followed by a series of 18 delectable Winemaker / Filmmaker Dinners, featuring the Valley’s most acclaimed wines and fare.

On Sunday, November 17, NVFF will close the festival with the powerful film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, directed by Justin Chadwick and starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.  The screening at the Napa Valley Opera House will be followed by NVFF’s Awards Ceremony & Wrap Party hosted by NBC Bay Area weeknight anchor, Raj Mathai.

NVFF will also debut a new LifeStyle Pavilion this year, which will be centrally located in downtown Napa’s Oxbow District. Here, credentialed pass holders will enjoy interactive exhibits, daily film industry panels and culinary demonstrations, and an array of premier wines or refreshing chalices of Stella Artois. The four festival villages will also host individual Wine Pavilions in each town for passholders from 2:30 – 5:00 p.m., Friday – Sunday.

2013 Napa Valley Film Festival Film Line-up 

Red Carpet and Sneak Preview Screenings:

August: Osage Country
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Nebraska
One Chance
Philomena
Saving Mr. Banks
The Immigrant

Narrative Features:

Dark Around the Stars
Dear Sidewalk
Hank and Asha
In Lieu of Flowers
My Brother Jack
One Small Hitch
Putzel
The Bounceback
The Girl on the Train
The Little Tin Man

Documentary Features:

16 Acres
Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth
Bidder 70
Brave Miss World
If You Build It
Lord Montagu
Sole Survivor
The Fabulous Ice Age
The Last White Knight
The Singularity 

SONY Lounge Features:

9 Full Moons
The Crash Reel
Favor
Furever
Holy Ghost People
Old Stock
Starring Adam West
This is Where We Live
Worm 

Specials Screenings: 

Inspiring Stories:

American Jerusalem: Jews and the Making of San Francisco
Anita
Citizen Hearst
March of the Living
Sewing Hope
The Magic Bracelet (a project of Make A Film Foundation) 

Music & the Arts:

Finding Hillywood
Good ‘Ol Freda
Levitated Mass: The Story of Michael Heizer’s Monolithic Sculpture
Sound City 

Wine & Spirits:

Hey Bartender
Dossier Zinfandel
Red Obsession
The Monks of Vina 

Environmental:

Green Fire
Tiny
Toxic Hot Seat 

The Whinnies!: Best of Equine Film

American Mustang
Herd in Iceland
Through Their Eye 

Animated Shorts:

A Tangled Tale
A World of Difference
Cicada Princess
Dr. Kingsley’s Gallery of Conceptual Mishaps
Horsepower
Oasis
Sebastian
Sleight of Hand
Tendency to Jam
The Collector’s Gift
The Right Place
Trompe L’Oeil 

Narrative Shorts:

A Minute Forever
Across Grace Alley
Blessing in Disguise
Crescendo
End of the World
Home
King of Norway
Mojave
PDA
Privilege
Radio Gamers
Refuge
Six Letter Word
Teenage Wine Snobs
The House at the Age of the Galaxy
The Ladder

The Listing Agent

The Possibilities
The Tutor
Turning Point 

SONY Lounge Shorts:

… Or Die
Made Bed
Chronicles Simkins Will Cut Your Ass
The Sidekick
Death Artists, Inc.
Players
The Romantics 

Documentary Shorts:

Faviken
Story of an Egg
Sikh Formaggio
Sky Burial
Storm
Make Haste Slowly: The Kikkoman Story
Fabian Debora, A Life for Art
Mona Lisa: Leonardo’s Earlier Version
Who Shot Rock & Roll, The Film

World Cinema Shorts:

Seguimi (Follow Me)
Kayip (The Loss)
The German Who Came to Tea
Honeymoon Suite
The Other Side
Cargo
Help Wanted
Who is Arvid Pekon?

Veterans Day Program:

Monday, November 11, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Free admission for veterans and active duty military. $12 advance tickets, $16 at door. Visit the Lincoln Theater box office for tickets or lincolntheater.com

Answering the Call
Chinook Down
Healing a Soldier’s Heart
Mirage at Zabul Province
Part of the Change
The Hornet’s Nest

Festival Celebrity Tributes

Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush will host the Napa Valley Film Festival’s brightest night for the third year in a row, as NVFF honors creative achievements in film.

Spotlight On: Director, writer and producer John Lee Hancock has established himself as a rare and distinctive voice in cinematic story telling. His work as writer and director of The Blind Side led to two Oscar nominations (Best Picture, Best Actress), with Sandra Bullock taking home her very first Oscar. John’s current feature film, Saving Mr. Banks, will play at this year’s festival and stars an impressive ensemble cast including Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Jason Schwartzman, among others. Previous film credits include: The Alamo, The Rookie, My Dog Skip; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and A Perfect World, both of which he wrote with Clint Eastwood directing. His upcoming projects include The American Can, which will be directed by Ed Zwick and stars Will Smith. Another writing project in the works is The Goree Girls, a Dreamworks SKG film starring Jennifer Aniston. In addition to his ongoing writing and directing work, John also serves as an advisor for the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriting Lab.

Rising Star: Dianna Agron is on her way to becoming one of the most versatile and sought-after talented young actresses in Hollywood. She was recently seen playing Quinn Fabray on Fox’s hit television series Glee, for which she has been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards. The cast has also won ‘Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble’ at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for ‘BestTelevision Series – Musical or Comedy.’ Agron starred in I Am Number Four in 2011 and will next be seen in Luc Besson’s The Family, which follows the notorious Manzoni family when they relocate to Normandy under the witness protection program and discover that their old habits die hard. The film also stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Tommy Lee Jones.

Rising Star: Miles Teller made his feature screen debut opposite Nicole Kidman in the film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Rabbit Hole. In this tragic family drama, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, Miles played Jason Willette, a bit of a loner teen who escapes into a world of comic books and science fiction. In October of 2011, Miles was cast as Willard in Paramount’s remake of Footloose. He was recently seen in Relativity’s 21 And Over and Todd Phillips’ Project X. He also starred in the 2013 Sundance hit, The Spectacular Now with Shailene Woodley and recently wrapped production on Get a Jobopposite Bryan Cranston and Anna Kendrick, Two Night Stand with Analeigh Tipton and Kid Cudi, and Are We Officially Dating with Zac Efron and Michael B. Jordan. He is currently filming Divergent, based on the best-selling novel by Veronica Roth, which has been compared to similar young adult books such as The Hunger Games.

Winemaker / Filmmaker Dinners
Napa Valley Film Festival will celebrate a star-studded array of master chefs and world-class winemakers that will take the stage at a handful of select winery estates on Saturday, November 16. Immediately following the screening of Philomena at the Yountville Community Center Theatre, Patron ticket holders, top sponsors, and invited celebrities, filmmakers and industry guests will attend one of eighteen epicurean feasts where unrivaled chef-vintner pairings will present an unforgettable experience only found at NVFF. 

Participating Wineries and Chefs: 

Alpha Omega and Chappellet at the Napa Valley Reserve with Chef Ken Frank

An extraordinary evening in an exemplary location, this extravagant supper prepared by Michelin-rated Chef Ken Frank of Napa’s La Toque, will be hosted by Robin & Michelle Baggett of Alpha Omega and Cyril & Blakesley Chappellet of Chappellet Pritchard Hill.

Beaulieu Vineyards with Chef Jason Kupper of The Thomas

A unique evening at the Beaulieu Vineyard’s Rutherford House Estate starting with hors d’oeuvres and select Reserve wines served on the veranda overlooking the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Dinner will be served in the elegant 100-year-old dining room accompanied by wines from the Library Cellar of the Estate.

Bello Family Vineyards with Chef Richard Perot

Surrounded by the luxurious Estate Room at the Bello Family Vineyards tasting room, Michael Bello hosts a picture-perfect evening as Chef Richard Perot prepares a feast that captures the prestige and excitement of Hollywood. Honoring their own “star,” the pairing of the 2008 Megahertz Cabernet with this fabulous dinner will surely be a showstopper.

Black Stallion Vineyards with Chef Misty Phelps

Black Stallion Vineyards resides on the former site of the famous Napa Valley Equestrian Center. This prestigious brand exudes the grape-growing and winemaking history of three generations of the Indelicato family, which spans more than 85 years. The cuisine will be prepared by award-winning Napa chef Misty Phelps.

Cardinale with guest chef

Join winemaker Christopher Carpenter for an intimate dinner at the Cardinale Estate with sweeping views of the valley. Savor good company with an exquisite seasonal menu prepared by the private estate chef and accompanied by Cardinale’s highly-acclaimed and collectable Cabernet Sauvignon.

Favia Erickson Winegrowers with Chef Sean O’Toole

Enjoy an intimate autumn supper at Annie Favia and Andy Erickson’s home in Coombsville. Dine in the vineyard barn surrounded by Sauvignon Blanc vines, candlelight, and the supple air of late November in the Valley. Chef O’Toole will be sharing a menu that highlights fresh produce from the property. 

Hall Wines with Chef Kevin Miller of Villagio

Hosted by proprietors Craig and Kathryn Hall, a decadent four-course dinner from Executive Chef Kevin Miller of Vintage Estates will be paired with WALT single vineyard and Hall artisan selection wines in the cellar of the historic Bergfeld Winery Building at the new Hall St. Helena Hospitality Center.

Handwritten Wines Storyteller Dinner with Chef Richard Visconte

Set in Handwritten Wines’ quaint St. Helena cottage, our ongoing Storyteller series will feature an intimate dinner created by French-trained Chef Richard Visconte. Chef Visconte’s dishes will find inspiration from films that have served up culinary plot twists. To-be-announced screenwriters will host the evening.

Hess Collection with Chef Chad Hendrickson

Hess Executive Chef Chad Hendrickson takes guests on a tour of the palate via a full exploration of Hess Collection wines paired with recipes featuring fresh seasonal and sustainable foods, often grown right at the winery.

Hill Wine Company with Chef Brendan Mica

Jeff and Rebecca Hill host a farm-to-table style dinner to showcase their organic farming practices with cuisine freshly prepared by Chef Brendan Mica of Napa’s Cuveé Restaurant. Guests will indulge in the Hill’s exceptionally crafted, sustainably estate- grown Black Dog series of wines. 

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards featuring Executive Chef Brian Overhauser

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards’ President Bill Leigon welcomes guests to the property’s spectacular Skytop Salon for an evening celebrating the role of wine in film. Chef Brian Overhauser will share his unique, farm-fresh Napa Valley comfort food paired with exceptional small production wines from the Jamieson Ranch portfolio.

Jessup Cellars Arthouse Dinner with Chef Bob Hurley

Surrounded by Jessup’s film-themed art exhibition, guests will indulge in a celluloid-inspired dinner created by celebrated Chef Bob Hurley. Chef Hurley and winemaker Rob Lloyd will pair dishes and wines for this intimate feast honoring past Academy Award-winning short films. Guests will also enjoy a sneak preview of Jessup Cellars prized holiday wines.

O’Brien Estate a Kiss is Just a Kiss Dinner with Chef Tyler Stone

A timeless story of romance hosted for just 12 special guests by Bart and Barb O’Brien in the wine cellar at O’Brien Estate. Among the barrels and tanks, rising star Chef Tyler Stone will serve a meal inspired by the on-screen romance of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, paired with themed wines from the O’Brien Estate Romantic Portfolio.

Raymond Vineyards with host Jean-Charles Boisset and Chef Michel Cornu

Perhaps the most talked about dinner of 2012, the one and only Jean-Charles Boisset, along with Raymond Vineyard’s own Chef Cornu, goes all out once again. Join them at Raymond’s famous winery in Rutherford for another amazing occasion sure to be raved about for some time to come.

Somerston with Chef Morgan Robinson of Smoke Open Fire Cooking

Somerston wines will be paired with the masterful open-fire cooking techniques of Chef Morgan Robinson. Using red oak and grape vine cuttings in the very preparation of the cuisine, this is a true wine country farm-to-table experience.

Sullivan Vineyards with Chef Chris Mortenson of La Condesa

The Sullivan’s strive for creativity and perfection in all realms of living (wine making, cooking, friendship and film). They are delighted to showcase their spectacular works of art while Chef Chris Mortenson explores how the fruit of the land and fresh Mexican ingredients create a recipe worthy of a farm to table Oscar, all amidst the setting of their beautiful Rutherford estate.

Swanson Vineyards with Chef Armando Ramirez of Zuzu

Inspired by the famous salons of 18th Century Paris, the Swanson Salon is known for its playful intimacy, stunning IraYeager collection, and joie de vivre. Guests will indulge in an evening of rustic fare and iconic Napa Valley wines paired by Chef Ramirez and winemaker Chris Phelps, and get a taste of the secret stash of wines available only at the winery.

Vintner’s Collective with Philippe Melka and Chef Morimoto

Begin with a wine reception and hors d’oeuvres at Vintner’s Collective, where the most talented winemakers in Napa Valley share space to showcase their wines. Philippe Melka, one of the most sought-after winemakers in America, will share stories and inspire guests before a short limousine ride to the beautiful Michael Holmes Gallery, where famed Chef Morimoto and his team will prepare an unforgettable, multiple course dinner. 

The New Power Lunch

Napa Valley Film Festival will roll out a new event this year called, New Power Lunch: Celebrating Women Making a Difference, a benefit for the Napa Valley Film Festival’s Education & Outreach (E&O) Programs. This year’s New Power Lunch will honor the women behind the inspirational and influential films Anita and Sewing Hope. Oscar-award winning filmmaker Freida Mock, director of Anita, and Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, the subject of Sewing Hope, will both be honored at the luncheon. Clips from their films will be shown and both women will speak about receiving their honor. The event will be co-hosted by More magazine and The New Power Lunch Host Committee, which includes Lauren Ackerman, Michelle Bagget, Leslie Blodgett, Deborah Brenner, Jennifer Carrico, Brenda Lhormer, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Lily Kanter, The Doctors Company, Dr. JoAnne Miller, Irene Ojdana, and Kara Lind. Attendees will enjoy a three-course meal prepared by Chef Catherine Bergen of C Casa that celebrates the flavors of autumn.  Wine will be provided by Women of the Vine, an organization focused on building a community of women winemakers.
Traditional Home Designer Showhouse

Napa Valley Film Festival will also debut a second-annual Napa Valley Showhouse, in partnership with Traditional Home Magazine and Charles Krug Winery, owned by Peter Mondavi, Sr. Family. Traditional Home Magazine, along with a few of the country’s finest interior designers, will transform Peter Mondavi, Jr.’s former private residence into an elegant Showhouse. The Showhouse will be open to the public for nearly six weeks from Thursday, October 10th through Sunday, November 17th, the close of NVFF. A percentage of Showhouse proceeds will benefit NVFF.

All Passes

Festival Pass: $250

Enjoy the festival for all five days, November 13-17, 2013 

Access to all film screenings (after Patrons and other VIP guests)
Access to new Lifestyle Pavilion in Napa, including the Stella Artois Lounge
Access to all Film Industry Panels
Access to all wine tasting pavilions, culinary demonstrations, and Festival Front Porches
Access to late night Napa festivities, including the Passholder Party at Eiko’s in Napa on Saturday, November 16 

Pass Plus: $500

Provides five-day access same as the Festival Pass, plus very special events below… 

Festival Gala at 500 First
Access to the Stags Leap District House of Cab at Napa Valley Opera House for pre-screening wine tasting at all screenings with the exception of the 5:30 p.m. studio sneak screenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday
Prioritized entry (following Patrons but before other Passholders) at the Opera House for the 5:30 p.m. screenings on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday
Friday Late Night Party at Martin Gallery, St. Helena
Tributes to Top Filmmakers and Celebrities
Closing Night Awards Ceremony
Closing Night Wrap Party 

Patrons Pass: $2,500 & Up

Includes everything in Pass Plus as well as the perks below… 

No waiting in lines, always admitted first at both regular and special premiere screenings
Exclusive VIP hospitality lounges, with free-flowing epicurean delights and the finest Napa Valley wines throughout each day
VIP access to the filmmakers at special premier screenings on each big night
Preferred seating for the Celebrity Tribute Program and the Awards Ceremony
Unique celebrity filmmaker /chef /Winemaker Dinner at one of Napa Valley’s most exclusive wineries, estates and/or resorts on Saturday, November 16
Acknowledgement in all Festival Publications
Charitable tax deduction

Wednesday & Thursday Combo Pass: $75

Acts as a Festival Pass for both Wednesday and Thursday for those only able to attend the festival mid-week 

Day Pass: $75

Same benefits as a Festival Pass for just one day! Fri, Nov 15, Sat, Nov 16 or Sun Nov 17

Uptown Pass: $125
Valid for Sunday ONLY

Access to all-day and evening festivities at the Uptown Theatre in Napa including a day’s worth of rock & roll documentaries and a Q&A after a special screening of Sound City with Director Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters)
Access to the Award Ceremony and the Closing Night Wrap Party

Rush Tickets: $10 / $20

Access to screenings after passholders are admitted ($10)
Access (for non-passholders) to the Wine Pavilions and the Stella Artois Lounge ($20)
Sold at screening or wine pavilions based on seating availability, cash only

Special event tickets to the Festival Gala, Celebrity Tribute Program, The New Power Lunch, Awards Ceremony & Wrap Party are also available for purchase online: Napavalley2013.eventbrite.com.

Tickets for the Traditional Home Napa Valley Showhouse at Charles Krug are available at Traditionalhome.com/napashowhouse.

Tickets for Veterans Day films can be purchased at http://lincolntheater.com/.

Festival Sponsors
The Napa Valley Film Festival has an impressive list of sponsors for the 2013 festival. Major 2013 Sponsors include Cadillac (Official Automobile Sponsor), Amazon Web Services and Intel (Animated Short Film Category) and Sony Electronics. Leading Sponsors include Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Stella Artois, Meadowood Napa Valley (Artists-in-Residence Program), Terlato Family Wineries, ColorZone and AVMS. Supporting Sponsors include V Estates, Sterling Vineyards, Domaine Chandon/Newton Vineyards, Union Bank, Delta Airlines and Classic Party Rentals. Top Media and Marketing Partners include: Traditional Home Magazine (Napa Valley Showhouse), MORE Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle/sfgate.com, The Hollywood Reporter, Winecountry.com, Wine Spectator, Food Arts, NBC Bay Area, Mutineer Magazine, Brkly, and Comcast/XFINITY.

About the Napa Valley Film Festival and Cinema Napa Valley:
The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) mission is to support the art of independent filmmaking and cinematic story-telling; enhance and diversify Napa Valley’s cultural landscape, and to provide educational opportunities in and out of the classroom for local students. The ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, NVFF, November 13-17, lights up the picturesque towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga at the most colorful time of year. NVFF features over 100 new independent films and studio sneak previews screening in 12 beautiful venues throughout the 4 walkable villages, as 300 visiting filmmakers interact with audiences at screenings and intimate events. Attendees enjoy film panels & culinary demonstrations, wine tasting pavilions, the spectacular Festival Gala, Celebrity Tributes, Awards Ceremony, and an array of parties, VIP receptions and winemaker dinners and more. For information or to buy passes, visit NapaValleyFilmFest.org or call 707-226-7500.
# # #         

 

 

About Russ Thompson

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This