We caught up with Zoe Elton, Director of Programming for the 39th Mill Valley Film Festival (Oct 6-16, 2016) to find out what they have in store at this year’s festival. We spoke to her about the film, actors and the new sections they have on Latin America & Culinary Cinema. This is one of the last major film festivals of the year, and this is the festival where the early Oscar buzz starts to gain momentum.

This year’s line-up is a fantastic one and that is reflected in the opening night films: Damien Chazelle’s La La Land and  Denis Villeneuve‘s Arrival. The closing night film is Jeff Nichols‘ Loving and Elton points out that we are going to be hearing a lot about Ruth Negga, the leading actress of the film. Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Chazelle, Nichols and Negga will be there to present their films.

Ewan McGregor is bringing his debut directorial film American Pastoral to the festival. Nicole Kidman is being recognized for her contribution and will be there to present her new film Lion directed by Garth Davis and stars Dev Patel and Rooney Mara.

LISTEN: ZOE ELTON ON FILMS, FILMS & MORE FILMS AT MILL VALLEY FILM: FESTIVAL:

This year’s festival has a special section on Latin American films with Gael Garcia Bernal as their special guest.

Culinary cinema is a new addition in this year’s festival and they have 4 films in the section. One of them is a film on Jeremiah Tower, a celebratory chef, who worked at Chez Panisse and founded Stars restaurant in San Francisco. Tower will be at the film festival.

Sandwiched between the opening and closing night films is a cornucopia of films, live music and seminars that is worth checking out.

For tickets and information check out Mill Valley Film Festival’s website.

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