Mill Valley Film Festival 2021: Photos And Highlights

Mill Valley CA

21 October, 2021

6:52 PM

Description

MILL VALLEY, CA — That's a wrap! Believe it, festival-goers. Once again, the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF) has come and gone from the San Francisco Bay Area. But wait! Not so fast! Let's first take a look back at the 44th edition of the acclaimed film festival that prides itself with a long-standing reputation for launching new films and creating awards season buzz. (Check out photos below.) Famous for its intimate urban setting and international ambience, the film fest kicked off this year's festivities on Thursday, Oct. 7, with the California premiere of a romance musical, "Cyrano," Joe Wright's film about love and panache, based on Edmond Rostand's famed 1897 play. The film stars Peter Dinklage as the eponymous French nobleman faced with a romantic quandary. Throughout the 11-day hybrid (virtual and in-person) event, presented by the California Film Institute, a series of tributes and spotlights also celebrated exceptional artists, including Jane Campion, Kenneth Branagh, Denis Villeneuve, Paolo Sorrentino, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Simon Rex. Mind the Gap (MTG), MVFF's platform for inclusion and equity, held its annual summit, featuring first-time feature directors, Halle Berry ("Bruised"), Rebecca Hall ("Passing"), Maggie Gyllenhaal ("The Lost Daughter"), and Nana Mensah ("Queen of Glory"). The festival closed on a high note with the West Coast premiere of an eclectic film, "The French Dispatch," Wes Anderson's love letter to journalism, starring Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray and Timothee Chalamet. In conclusion, MVFF's founder and director Mark Fishkin summed up this year's film fest: "My intent for the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival was to create a safe and vibrant festival that entertains and addresses the universal need to gather together and share stories about our common humanity. After 11 days, 125 films, and over 23,000 guests, I can say unequivocally that the hopes for this year's festival were realized." Check out photos from the 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival below. Photo Highlights From The 2021 MVFF Dakota Johnson arrives at the screening of "The Lost Daughter" at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 16, 2021 in San Rafael California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Director Maggie Gyllenhaal of the film "The Lost Daughter" arrives at the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival on October 16, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Actor Paul Mescal (from left), director Maggie Gyllenhaal and actress Dakota Johnson arrive at the screening of "The Lost Daughter" at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 16, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Ruth Negga attends the screening of "Passing" during the 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 14, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Director Rebecca Hall of the film "Passing" attends the 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 14, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Director Denis Villeneuve of the film "Dune" attends the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival at The Outdoor Art Club on October 13, 2021 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) "Women Is Losers" actor Lorenza Izzo attends the 44th Mill Valley film festival at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 08, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Director Kenneth Branagh of the film "Belfast" arrives at the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival on October 15, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) "Women Is Losers" director Lissette Feliciano attends the 44th Mill Valley film festival bay area premiere at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 08, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Actor Steve Park arrives at the closing night premiere of 'The French Dispatch' at The Outdoor Art Club on October 17, 2021 in Mill Valley, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Actor Simon Rex attends the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival for "Red Rocket" at Smith Rafael Film Center on October 09, 2021 in San Rafael, California. (Jonathan Shensa/MVFF) Related Matt Damon and Adam Driver Bring Pure Ferocity in 'The Last Duel'Daniel Craig Bids A Fond And Special Adieu In 'No Time To Die'What's New On Netflix: October 2021Review: 'Dear Evan Hansen' Barely Finds Its Cinematic VoiceSimu Liu Meets His Marvel Destiny In 'Shang-Chi'