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Your MEMBERSHIPS and SPONSORSHIPS make our festival possible! Please DONATE today!

Program book available Now!

Learn all about our 18th Annual Mendocino Film Festival coming soon on May 29 - June 1, 2025. Parties, special events, screenings, and more ~ Hope to see you there!

Download the program book

Artwork by Karen Bowers

Parties & Special Events

events

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: POP-UP DINNER & MOVIE AT MENDOCINO GROVE

May 28

May 28, 2025

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM19:00 – 21:007:00 PM – 9:00 PM

MOVIE UNDER THE STARS: POP-UP DINNER & MOVIE AT MENDOCINO GROVE

May 28, 2025

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM19:00 – 21:007:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Special pop-up event! Three-course dinner and a movie at Mendocino Grove outside under the stars, amidst the trees.

May 28, 2025

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM19:00 – 21:007:00 PM – 9:00 PM

May 29

May 29, 2025

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM19:00 – 20:007:00 PM – 8:00 PM

A TRIBUTE TO OUR MEMBERS

May 29, 2025

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM19:00 – 20:007:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The Women Who Dare Shorts Program will be the star of this year’s special Members’ Event. Scharffenberger Cellars sparkling wine kicks off our Festival weekend with panache!

May 29, 2025

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM19:00 – 20:007:00 PM – 8:00 PM

May 30

May 30, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Silver Screen & Sea Soiree Gala

May 30, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Celebrate the opening night of the Festival with live music, libations, and small bites at the Mendocino Art Center.

May 30, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

May 30

May 30, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

70’s ROCK AND ROLL WITH MOON RABBIT

May 30, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Dance at a 70’s rock and roll party with Moon Rabbit following the new film NEIL YOUNG: COASTAL.

May 30, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

May 31

May 31, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

COFFEE WITH THE FILMMAKERS

May 31, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Grab a coffee at The Waiting Room before heading to the Cafe Beaujolais garden for lively discussions with our visiting filmmakers.

May 31, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

SWEET STÖRY AND REBEL WITH A CLAUSE: BOOK SIGNING & GRAMMAR TABLE

May 31

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM10:00 – 15:0010:00 AM – 3:00 PM

SWEET STÖRY AND REBEL WITH A CLAUSE: BOOK SIGNING & GRAMMAR TABLE

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM10:00 – 15:0010:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Meet pastry chef Meg Ray and grammarian Ellen Jovin in person at Gallery Bookshop. Grab their books Miette and Rebel with a Clause, and get your trickiest baking and grammar questions answered on the spot!

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM10:00 – 15:0010:00 AM – 3:00 PM

THE INCREDIBLES: FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

May 31

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM10:00 – 12:0010:00 AM – 12:00 PM

THE INCREDIBLES: FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM10:00 – 12:0010:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Follow the adventures of a family of former superheroes rediscovering the true source of their powers—in one another. Free screening and bike giveaway!

May 31, 2025

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM10:00 – 12:0010:00 AM – 12:00 PM

AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT: LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ARIAS

May 31

May 31, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT: LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ARIAS

May 31, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

A special treat for opera beginners and aficionados alike, local tenor Marius Constantin will perform two short arias with accompanist Robin Knutson following the screening of AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT.

May 31, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

May 31

May 31, 2025

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM16:00 – 17:004:00 PM – 5:00 PM

SHELF LIFE: WINE AND CHEESE TASTING

May 31, 2025

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM16:00 – 17:004:00 PM – 5:00 PM

A unique global odyssey exploring the world of cheese, from Tbilisi to Japan and beyond, and the mongers and makers who devote their life to fermenting dairy.

May 31, 2025

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM16:00 – 17:004:00 PM – 5:00 PM

May 31

May 31, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

FILMMAKER PARTY

May 31, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Mingle with filmmakers and special guests at our exclusive Filmmaker Party. Nestled in the lush gardens of Cafe Beaujolais, this year’s shindig is sponsored by Goldeneye Winery and will feature small bites by Assaggiare and handcrafted pizza from The Brickery.

May 31, 2025

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM17:00 – 19:005:00 PM – 7:00 PM

May 31

May 31, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

NATASHA VINIK live comedy

May 31, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Join us for live comedy with the Bay Area’s Natasha Vinik. Then stay for the film ANXIETY CLUB, an intimate and humorous look at anxiety through the eyes and minds of some of today’s most brilliant comedians.

May 31, 2025

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM19:30 – 20:307:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Jun 1

Jun 1, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

COFFEE WITH THE FILMMAKERS

Jun 1, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Grab a coffee at The Waiting Room before heading to the Cafe Beaujolais garden for lively discussions with our visiting filmmakers.

Jun 1, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM09:00 – 10:009:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Jun 1

Jun 1, 2025

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM10:00 – 11:0010:00 AM – 11:00 AM

NO OTHER LAND: LISTENING SESSIONS

Jun 1, 2025

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM10:00 – 11:0010:00 AM – 11:00 AM

One-on-one listening sessions will be available following the screening of NO OTHER LAND for those who would like to express their thoughts and feelings.

Jun 1, 2025

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM10:00 – 11:0010:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Jun 1

Jun 1, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

FOURTH ANNUAL NATIVE CINEMA

Jun 1, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Our 4th Annual Native Cinema program, curated by Monique Sonoquie and U’ilani Wesley, is always one of the Festival’s most popular events.

Jun 1, 2025

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM13:00 – 14:001:00 PM – 2:00 PM

What Filmmakers Say

Nicole Holofcener, Director: You Hurt My Feelings

The Mendocino Film Festival is terrific in so many ways. The beautiful surroundings are a given, but the festival itself is very special. The people who run it truly love movies and want to celebrate filmmakers and their films for all the right reasons. It's what film festivals used to be - intimate, inclusive and inspiring. I had a great time screening my movies and hanging with wonderful people. I hope they invite me again!
Joe Wein, director: 76 DAYS

Mendocino is a picturesque town with a wonderful film festival. The festival is impeccably organized, showcasing a carefully curated selection of high-quality films. MFF enjoys outstanding community support and maintains an intimate size. I had the opportunity to connect with many filmmakers, programmers, and engage in meaningful discussions with the audience. I had an incredible experience, and I highly recommend attending if you get the chance!
Bill Plympton, Animator

Thanks for a great weekend! You run a very nice festival – and the IndieWire article is fantastic, my office manager is posting and tweeting about it. I’ll tell everyone what a great experience I had.
Nathaniel Schmidt, co-director: THE LAST DAUGHTER

Loved the town and getting to meet you all and having some good chats on the panel. I personally felt it was more like a filmmaker retreat than your average festival. Especially enjoyed the seaside walks between screenings.
Susan Stern, Director: Bad Attitude

The Mendocino Film Festival managed to be both elegant and homey – elegant parties, but the atmosphere of the screenings, Q&A and panels felt intimate and productive. I made friends, shared tips with filmmakers and felt part of a community with hope for the future.
Tom Weidinger, Director: of The Restless Hungarian

Seats for The Restless Hungarian were sold out. In the Q&A period I was really impressed by the depth and intelligence of the audience questions. Added to that I loved the intimacy of the festival. For two days after the screening people kept coming up to me to tell me what the film meant to them. That was wonderful!
Jed Riffe, producer of THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE

My films have been selected to screen at over 300 film festivals around the world winning 48 awards. I have attended 165 of the screenings. The 2024 Mendocino Film Festival is one of the best festivals I have attended because of the great audiences, the parties, the projection and the way the film festival organizers took care of us. I look forward to submitting my next film to the Mendocino Film Festival
Sy Rosen, Writer: Death Pays Flora a Visit

The Mendocino Film Festival was absolutely fantastic. There were parties and food and drinks and the line-up of films was the best I’ve ever seen. It was an honor to be a part of it. All the venues that showed the film were filled with avid, appreciative audiences. The people in the town were so nice that I thought for a while that they might be serial killers lulling me into complacency before striking. But no, they were truly just warm wonderful people.

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Become a Member

Mendocino Film Festial members enjoy year-long perks!

Invitation to Friday Night Gala
Members-only screenings
Early Bird access to festival tickets
Recognition on the Reel and in the printed program
Tickets to special events throughout the year

JOIN US

Become a SPONSOR

Join a select group of forward-thinking organizations and increase your regional exposure.

VIP passes and full festival experience
Reel, print, and web recognition
Interaction with our audience, filmmakers, film professionals, and VIP guests
Potential for marketing benefits tailored to you

JOIN US

our fantastic Sponsors

Mendo Sotheby's International Realty (Copy) (Copy)

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film Sponsors

Fathers & Daughters Cellars (Copy) (Copy)

George Petersen Insurance Agency (Copy) (Copy)

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (Copy) (Copy)

Savings Bank of Mendocino County (Copy) (Copy)

Wynn Coastal Planning & Biology (Copy) (Copy)

Lee Edmundson • Indigenous Community Initiative
Kaye Handley • John & Kathryn Hughes
Dr & Mrs Richard Luis Miller • Todd Newberger
Paulson Excavating, Inc.

Your MEMBERSHIPS and SPONSORSHIPS make our festival possible! Please DONATE today!

Program book available Now!

Parties & Special Events

Nicole Holofcener, Director: You Hurt My Feelings

Become a Member

Become a SPONSOR

our fantastic Sponsors

film Sponsors

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