Mill Valley Film Festival returns for 49th annual event

The 49th annual Mill Valley Film Festival is scheduled to run from October 1 to October 11, featuring over 100 films across various venues including Mill Valley, San Rafael, Larkspur, and Berkeley. The festival is noted for showcasing films that often serve as early contenders in the Academy Award season.

Opening night features the espionage film ‘Wild Horse Nine’, directed by Martin McDonagh, with appearances by McDonagh, Mariana Di Girolamo, and Sam Rockwell. The festival will also include a tribute to Rockwell. The closing event on October 11 features Jesse Eisenberg presenting ‘The Debut’, starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.

Other notable programming includes a screening of Julia Loktev’s ‘My Undesirable Friends: Part II — Exile’, a documentary following Russian journalists living in exile after the invasion of Ukraine. The festival also offers tributes to various directors and actors, such as James Gray and Andrew Scott, alongside panels for aspiring filmmakers.