Interview: Barry Jenkins and KiKi Layne on ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ at the Mill Valley Film Festival

I caught up with Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and his If Beale Street Could Talk star KiKi Layne at the closing night of the 41st Mill Valley Film Festival on October 14, 2018.
Jenkins discusses why he chose Beale Street to adapt of all of James Baldwin’s works, how newcomer Kiki Layne became the film’s Tish and his recommendations for new filmmakers.
Review: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ (★★★★)
Layne talks about how she got the part of Tish, acting in her first feature film with such an esteemed director and cast, what she took away from her character and working with Regina King and Barry Jenkins (who makes a special guest appearance at the end).
If Beale Street Could Talk will be released in NY and LA from Annapurna Pictures on November 30th with an expansion in December.
Check out the red carpet interviews below.
- Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) Winners: ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ Fight It Out - December 20, 2025
- Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) Winners: ‘One Battle After Another,’ Wagner Moura, Rose Byrne and More - December 20, 2025
- Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads with 12 - December 19, 2025

Philadelphia Film Critics Circle (PFCC) Winners: ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sinners’ Fight It Out
Boston Online Film Critics Association (BOFCA) Winners: ‘One Battle After Another,’ Wagner Moura, Rose Byrne and More
Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads with 12
Delroy Lindo, Michelle Satter, Sony Pictures Among African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Honorees