38th Mill Valley Film Festival: Confirmed Local Filmmakers and Documentaries

Early confirmed Local Narratives for MVFF38 include:

Local filmmaker Brian Perkins debuts his first feature, THE GOLDEN KINGDOM (US Premiere). Beautifully shot in Myanmar with non-actors, four young Buddhist monks and their abbot live peaceably in a remote mountain monastery. One day the abbot is summoned to the city and must make the dangerous journey on foot through the mountain pass. Spiritual life meets a troubled world with the keen eye of compassion.

Early confirmed Local Documentaries for MVFF38 include:

In her compelling and timely documentary, Robin Hauser Reynolds examines the history and current state of the technology and computer science industry in CODE: DEBUGGING THE GENDER GAP (California Premiere). Reynolds points her camera at the women and people of color within the industry (many local to the Bay Area) who are working to motivate diverse populations to understand what tech jobs have to offer them creatively as well as financially, while actively unpacking the cultural stereotypes, educational obstacles and rampant sexism which prevent so many young women and minorities from entering the computer science workforce.

In SURVIVING SKOKIE (World Premiere), Bay Area filmmaker Eli Adler’s deeply personal documentary follows the path of his father, Jack Adler, a Polish immigrant and concentration camp survivor who built a life and family in Skokie, Illinois. But the quiet existence of hundreds of survivors is rocked to its core in the late ’70s when a neo-Nazi group announces plans to march through this Midwest town.

In 1994 Edythe Boone was one of the seven women artists commissioned to cover San Francisco’s historic Women’s Building with a massive, iconic mural entitledMaestraPeace. Now in her 70s, the African-American artist supervises a restoration of the mural to its original brilliant colors and teaches public art to everyone from West Oakland middle schoolers to Richmond seniors. Marlene “Mo” Morris follows the veteran muralist whose art can be found all over the Bay Area commemorating the great events of her time. Those events keep coming, as we see when the death of Edy’s nephew, Eric Garner, becomes a national symbol for racist policing in A NEW COLOR: THE VERY PUBLIC ART OF EDYTHE BOONE (World Premiere).

DOGTOWN REDEMPTION (World Premiere) captures the fascinating faces and sturdy souls of Oakland recyclers, including a former punk rocker and a misplaced minister, who often cover over 10 miles of city streets as they haul hundreds of pounds of recyclables for a modest payout. By focusing on the dramatic personal plights of these hard working individuals, the film also raises intriguing questions about the socio-economic reality of West Oakland. Filmmaker Amir Soltani combines intimate interviews and powerful all-access footage to craft an intense, heart wrenching, and occasionally hopeful portrait of society’s forgotten people.

Meet PENNY Cooper- “Champion of the marginalized”: celebrated criminal trial attorney and lesbian, staunch supporter of the arts. Penny has been at the center of profound changes in society from 1940s through the present. Despite facing incredible challenges Penny spins gold from every adverse situation, confronting each head on without ever losing her positive attitude or sense of humor.  Shot in the Bay Area by local filmmaker Elizabeth Sher.

Unconditional love might not seem a rigorous pedagogical principle, but it’s the guiding precept of this Lincoln High’s approach to teaching troubled teens. Walla Walla, Washington, high schoolers are the focus of Bay Area director/producer James Redford’s sixth documentary about uplifting responses to the acute problems of our times in PAPER TIGERS.

The Mill Valley Film Group returns to MVFF with a trio of compelling documentaries addressing global issues: THE NEW ENVIRONMENTALISTS – FROM MYANMAR TO SCOTLAND, SEA CHANGE and THE ROOTS OF ‘ULU.

The complete schedule for the 38th Mill Valley Film Festival will be announced and available online at www.MVFF.com on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

About the 38th Mill Valley Film Festival 
Presented by the California Film Institute, the 38th Mill Valley Film Festival runs October 8-18, 2015 at the CinéArts@Sequoia (25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley), Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center (1118 Fourth Street, San Rafael), and other venues throughout the Bay Area. With a reputation for launching new films and creating awards season buzz, MVFF has earned a reputation as a “filmmakers’ festival” by celebrating the best in American independent and world cinema, alongside high profile and prestigious award contenders. MVFF welcomes more than 200 filmmakers representing more than 50 countries.

Tickets are $15.00 (CFI Members, $12.50), unless otherwise noted and are available for purchase by the general public on September 20, 2015.

CFI members have an opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general on-sale date by level beginning on the following dates:
· September 13 – Premier Patron Members and above

· September 14 – Director’s Circle Members and above

· September 15 – Gold Star Members and above

· September 17 – Film Fan and Associate Members and above
For tickets and additional information, please visit www.mvff.com or call 877.874.MVFF (6833).

About the California Film Institute
The non-profit California Film Institute celebrates and promotes film as art and education through the presentation of the Mill Valley Film Festival and year-round exhibitions at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, film distribution by CFI Releasing, and building the next generation of filmmakers and audiences through the CFI Education program. For more information visit www.cafilm.org or call  (415) 383-5256.

For Calendar Editors
The 38th Mill Valley Film Festival
One of the Nation’s Top 10 Film Festivals, celebrating the Best of Independent and World Cinema
Marin County, California

Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 18, 2015

On-Sale Date
For CFI Members: Starts Sunday, September 13, 2015 (dates vary by level)
For the General Public: Sunday, September 20, 2015

www.MVFF.com, www.CAFilm.org