an extraordinary buffet of food wine and film
AXS ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT / MOVIES
December 6, 2014
Rating:
This year’s 4th annual “Napa Valley Film Festival”, which ran Nov 11-15, 2014, was a huge success. What could be a better setting for a stimulating Film Festival than the stunningly beautiful, world class wine community of Napa Valley. You are not only surrounded by the beautiful landscapes, you are also treated to a friendly community with its own unique architecture and a host of mouth watering gastronomic offerings. It is no wonder the “Napa Valley Film Festival” is touted as the Napa Valley festival of the year.
The opening night celebrity filled gala kicking off the five day event featured elegant decadence, famous chefs and top venders of the area along with the Opening Night film writer Graham Moore’s highly anticipated soon to be released, “The Imitation Game”. Red Carpet events on following evenings included sneak previews of upcoming feature works such as, “Black or White,” with producer, actor Kevin Costner on hand for a Q&A after the screening.
The serene Napa Valley featured over one hundred and fifty films. Twenty two of these films were created by the artist in resident competition, sponsored by the luxurious Meadowood Napa Valley in St Helena, CA where the film makers also received complementary accommodations.
Of All of the excellent films some personal standouts include, “An Honest Liar” ( Jury Award Best Documentary Feature), ” East Side Sushi” ( Jury Award Best Screenplay), “Underwater Dreams” (Documentary), “American Native” ( Documentary), and “Bar America” (Audience Award Best Lounge Feature).
The Closing Night Film was Glen Campbell’s documentary, “Glen Campbell I’ll Be Me'”, a riveting and devastatingly revealing look at the legendary singers final performance due to Alzheimer’s and his continuing decline. Coincidentally that performance took place in the very theater it screened – at this years Napa Valley Film Festival.
Special Events featured discussion panels with, Ted Hope ( Hope for Film), Bill Plympton ( Animation), “Women Behind the Camera” (with Lisa Gibbs). “A Pitch Boot Camp” and contest to present ideas to a panel of Industry Leaders; Culinary demonstration with Chefs and Wineries. continually assisted by a host of always kind and helpful volunteers; and of course free food, wine and beer tasting at every venue.
Each year at film festivals, for an absolute certainty, is the exciting opportunity to experience unique artistic viewpoints and ideas with a community of like minded appreciative adventurers. No two festivals are the same as each provides its own unique platform. But when the house lights dim and the film begins, we all become one body and surrender to the experience from the viewpoint of the film maker.
Audiences participate as first time public viewers for many of these films and unfortunately may be one of their only full audiences. This is a major reason, if film is a medium you enjoy, to attend film festivals.
At Napa Valley Film Festival you have the rare opportunity to experience three major events in one. Your taste buds will be nurtured with eclectic food and wines from master chefs and leading vineyards from Napa, Yontville, St Hellena and Calistoga, while your intellect is stimulated by wonderful and insightful new and vintage cinema. Whether or not you are a wine connoisseur , a foodie , an adventurer of beautiful rolling pastoral landscapes; or just like good people in great places, the “Napa Valley Film Festival” is a must for film lovers and festival enthusiast.
The “Napa Valley Film Festival” is generously sponsored by Mercedes Benz.
For a List of the “Napa Valley Film Festival” Winners: http://napavalleyfilmfest.org/reel-talk/features/nvff14-award-winners-an…
To read more about the “Napa Valley Film Festival 2014”: http://napavalleyfilmfest.org/
