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.
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- ‘Frankenstein’ to Receive Visionary Honor from Palm Springs International Film Awards - December 4, 2025
- Robert Yeoman to be Honored with American Society of Cinematographers’ Lifetime Achievement Award - December 3, 2025

‘Jay Kelly,’ ‘Hamnet,’ ‘Pluribus,’ ‘Task’ and More on AFI’s Top 10 Films and Television of 2025 Lists
‘Frankenstein’ to Receive Visionary Honor from Palm Springs International Film Awards
Robert Yeoman to be Honored with American Society of Cinematographers’ Lifetime Achievement Award
National Board of Review: ‘One Battle After Another’ Tops in Film, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor; Netflix Lands Four in Top 10