2018

SOMM 3

13 December, 2018
The Rafael toasted a packed house for our screening of SOMM 3, preceded by a wine tasting featuring pours from Moshin Vineyards, Porter Creek Winery and Joseph Swan Winery. Following the screening, vintners from these wineries participated in a spirited panel discussion regarding the film and Napa and Sonoma wines.

Photos © Brian Wilk

NANCY  |  MIND THE GAP AWARD

6 December, 2018
A stellar CFI Member Screening of NANCY, featuring an onstage conversation with producer/star Andrea Riseborough and co-star J. Smith-Cameron, followed by the presentation of the Mind The Gap Award from MVFF director of Programming Zoë Elton in recognition of Ms. Riseborough’s fearless vision and creativity.

Photos ©  Kirke Wrench

WELCOME TO THE MEN’S GROUP

6 December, 2018
Filmmaker Joseph Culp hosted a lively panel discussion regarding men’s issues after a screening of his film WELCOME TO THE MEN’S GROUP with panelists Jed Diamond, Dr. Warren Farrell, Lion Goodman, John Gray, Mark Schillinger, Rochelle Newman and Carista Luminare.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

FROM BAGHDAD TO THE BAY

3 December, 2018
Director Erin Palmquist and film subject Ghazwan Alsharif joined us for a free community screening of their documentary FROM BAGHDAD TO THE BAY which they followed up with an exceptionally informative and touching Q&A.

Photos ©  Christopher Markisz

SPEEDY  |  MONT ALTO MOTION PICTURE ORCHASTRA

1 December, 2018
Each year we look forward to a fantastic performance by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra and their 2018 visit to the Rafael did not disappoint as evidenced by the standing ovation received following their live accompaniment to the silent film SPEEDY featuring Harold Lloyd. Historian John Bengston closed the evening with a fascinating illustrated presentation about the film’s  New York City filming locations.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

FIRST MAN

27 November, 2018
The California Film Institute welcomed back frequent MVFF guest director Damien Chazelle for a screening of his film FIRST MAN, reception and post-screening Q&A moderated by CFI Executive Director and Founder Mark Fishkin.

Photos ©  Steve Disenhof

I AM MARIS

27 November, 2018
As part of the ongoing Teen Wellness Series sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in partnership with Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) Wellness Centers, CFI Education presented a screening of  I AM MARIS, followed by a panel discussion with director Laura VanZee Taylor, film subjects Jenni Wendell and Sharon Degener and subject experts Caitlin Severin and Elizabeth Scott.

Photos ©  Steve Disenhof

BLACK PANTHER

27 November, 2018
The Smith Rafael Film Center was honored to host a special free screening of BLACK PANTHER, presented by Film Comment Magazine and the Art House Convergence, followed by a nation-wide simulcast Q&A with director Ryan Coogler and Film Comment Editor-in-Chief Nicolas Rapold.

Photos ©  Christopher Markisz

LEAVE NO TRACE

19 November, 2018
On Monday night, CFI Members had the opportunity to watch LEAVE NO TRACE with director Debra Granik in attendance for an onstage conversation and Q&A with MVFF Director of Programming Zoë Elton – thanks so much to Debra, Bleeker Street and our fantastic members!

Photos ©  Mark Reynolds

TOMBSTONE RASHOMON

14 November, 2018
The great Alex Cox joined us for a screening of his latest film TOMBSTONE RASHOMON, followed by a rousing Q&A with special effects wizard Phil Tippett and composer Dan Wool!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

CAPERNAUM

11 November, 2018
It was our great pleasure to host CAPERNAUM director Nadine Labacki, composer Khaled Mouzanar and young lead actor Zain Al Rafeea for a moving and compassionate onstage conversation and Q&A following the film with CFI Executive Director and Founder Mark Fishkin

Photos © Niki Scioli

AN EVENING WITH KATINKA FARAGÓ

3 November, 2018
We were so honored to host the great Katinka Faragó to the Rafael for an evening of conversation in which she shared stories about her experiences working in the Swedish film industry for over 60 years.

Photos © Kirke Wrench

THE PRAIRIE TRILOGY

1 November, 2018
Filmmaker Rob Nilsson at the Rafael with a rare screening of THE PRAIRIE TRILOGY, his three-part documentary series – thanks to all who came!

Photos © Kirke Wrench

’68

28 October, 2018
We hosted a reunion of sorts for the production crew of locally-filmed ’68, including writer/director Steven Kovacs and producers Dale Djerassi and Isabel Maxwell. There were several cast and crew members – and friends – in the audience to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the film, presented in original 35mm! Lots of memories and movies moments were reminisced and shared.

Photos © Steve Disenhof

LIFE AND NOTHING MORE

27 October, 2018
Director Antonio Méndez Esparza held a Q+A at the Rafael after a sold out screening of his Independent Spirit Award-winning film LIFE AND NOTHING MORE.

Photos © Chris Markisz

RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE

25 October, 2018
Thanks to filmmakers Chris Metzler and Quinn Costello for coming out for last night’s screening of their film RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE for a great Q&A with our audience! Nutria, now appearing in a Central Valley near you…

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

FILMMAKERS UNITE (FU)

21 October, 2018
Leading Bay Area filmmakers Jay Rosenblatt and Ellen Bruno organized this diverse anthology of 13 short films offering a collective response to the US political situation and current threats to our democracy. Including documentary, narrative and experimental shorts – with filmmakers Eva Brzeski, Shy Hamilton, John Haptas, Kris Samuelson

Photos ©  Steve Disenhof

22 JULY

2 October, 2018
It was our pleasure to honor the great director Paul Greengrass last night with a Tribute, a screening of his latest film – the searing, powerful and impactful 22 JULY and the presentation of the #MVFF Award!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

PICK OF THE LITTER

5 September, 2018
A sold-out screening of PICK OF THE LITTER featuring filmmakers Don Hardy and Dana Nachman and very special guests from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

OLOMPALI: A HIPPIE ODYSSEY

9 August, 2018
We had two incredible screenings of OLOMPALI: A HIPPIE ODYSSEY with filmmakers Maura McCoy and Gregg Gibbs in attendance for both, and narrator Peter Coyote in the house for sold-out screenings – thanks to all who came out to experience this piece of Marin history!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

SEA TO SHINING SEA

1 August, 2018
A fun screening of SEA TO SHINING SEA with filmmakers Maximon Monihan and Sheena Matheiken and cast members Judy Monihan and (via Skype) Robert Boerdeider.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

THE WIFE

19 July, 2018
Glenn Close, THE WIFE director Björn Runge and screenwriter Jane Anderson joined us for another amazing Special Member Screening .

Photos © Tommy Lau Photography

PUZZLE

18 July, 2018
Another great Special Member Screening of PUZZLE with Kelly Macdonald and director Marc Turtletaub in attendance for an engaging onstage conversation with a full house of guests.

Photos ©  Tommy Lau Photography

THE KING

8 July, 2018
We had a fantastic Q&A with THE KING director Eugene Jarecki yesterday at the Rafael! Jarecki discussed all things Elvis and his contributions to the American cultural landscape.

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

FIVE SEASONS: THE GARDENS OF PIET OUDOLF

30 June, 2018
Thank you to director Thomas Piper for visiting THE RAFAEL in support of his film FIVE SEASONS: THE GARDENS OF PIET OUDOLF. Piper spoke to a packed house regarding the artistry, philosophy and process of developing a new garden in his new film. Mr. Piper admitted that he’s not much of a gardener, himself, but approached Mr. Oudolf and his work as if he was a sculptor or painter.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

MY SON TENZIN

24 June, 2018
We were very honored to host Tsering Dorjee Bawa for our final Buddhist Film Showcase presentation of MY SON TENZIN. Bawa performed before the film and took questions from the audience with the Buddhist Film Foundation‘s Gaetano Maida. Stay tuned for our next collaboration!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

OF DOLLS AND MURDER

14 June, 2018
While movies and TV would have us believe that circumstantial evidence is nearly useless, real life forensics teams rely on it heavily and define it differently than our favorite crime dramas. (We’re looking at you, CSI!) Forensics educator Angela Rhoades gave us a crash course in crime scene investigation after a sold out screening of OF DOLLS AND MURDER tonight at the Smith Rafael. So much SCIENCE ON SCREEN®!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

ZEN FOR NOTHING

10 June, 2018
Lively discussion followed the Buddhist Film Showcase screening of Werner Penzel’s ZEN FOR NOTHING, with director Penzel, Buddhist Film Foundation directot Gaetano Maida and Zesho Susan O’Connell of the SF Zen Center.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

LOVE AND BANANAS

27 May, 2018
A sold out screening of LOVE AND BANANAS  with filmmakers Ashley Bell and John Michael McCarthy and special guests elephant rescue workers “Hero of Asia” Lek Chialert and Mr. Chiayapong – everyone enjoyed this powerful and uplifting documentary, in which the filmmakers & subjects join a daring mission to rescue Noi Na, a 70-year- old, partially blind, trekking elephant, and accompany her 500 miles across Thailand to freedom.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

SECRET INGREDIENTS

17 May, 2018
Filmmakers Amy Hart and Jeffrey Smith were on hand For the West Coast premiere of their documentary SECRET INGREDIENTS followed by an informative &  lively discussion on all things organic and how to avoid GMOs following their screening.

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

A QUEST FOR MEANING

10 May, 2018
Seeking to find a new way to approach the world, director Marc De La Ménardìere and co-director Nathanaël Coste filmed A QUEST FOR MEANING. Their journey took them around the globe where they interviewed pioneers at the leading edge of thought who are attempting to understand humanity’s relationship to the natural world and how to shift thinking in order to optimize our chances for survival. After a screening of his movie tonight, Marc spoke with Cassandra Vieten from the Institute of Noetic Sciences, who also appeared in the film.

Photos ©  Steve Disenhof

EVOLUTION OF ORGANIC

12 April, 2018
A fabulous and insightful evening with EVOLUTION OF ORGANIC director Mark Kitchell and panel guests John Wick (Marin Carbon Project), Wendy Johnson (Green Gulch Farm), Warren Weber (Star Route Farms). EVOLUTION OF ORGANIC tells the story of how organic farming started with a handful of ‘hippie farmers’ and grew to be the incredible movement it’s become. Not only do these pioneers understand what it takes to grow delicious, healthy, sustainable food, but they’ve also learned how to lower the carbon levels in Earth’s atmosphere and, yes, save the world.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

THE FEMALE BRAIN

2 April, 2018

A full house at the Rafael for the National Evening of Science on Screen with a screening of THE FEMALE BRAIN and lively conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Louann Brizedine on whose book the film is adapted.

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography & CFI Staff

BACK TO BURGUNDY

24 March, 2018
We had a fantastic time with local winemakers at our special event BACK TO BURGUNDY Screening & Wine Tasting – thanks to all who came out to enjoy fine wine and film, and thank you to Moshin Vineyards, Porter Creek Vineyards, Joseph Swan Vineyards and Domaine Divio for supplying excellent wines and sharing your extensive knowledge with us!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

OH LUCY!

19 March, 2018
A great post-screening chat with the charming Atsuko Hirayanagi, OH LUCY! director.

Photos © Tommy Lau Photography

BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY

10 March, 2018
We had a great time with director Alexandra Dean for a Q&A following a screening of her fantastic documentary BOMBSHELLLL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY

Photos © Bill Johnston, Jr.

AWARDS NIGHT

4 March, 2018
Oh, what a night! Awards Night 2018 was a hit with attendees! MVFF40 films won 11 awards, including 7 out of the top 8 categories! Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and thank you to everyone who joined us for all the fun! Red Carpet Guest photos can be found HERE

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

LAST MEN IN ALEPPO

14 February, 2018
Director Feras Fayyad joined us for a special member screening of his powerful Academy Award nominated documentary LAST MEN IN ALEPPO.

Photos ©  Bill Johnston, Jr.

RUMI: POET OF THE HEART

11 February, 2018
Filmmaker Haydn Reiss presented his timeless documentary about Jelaluddin Rumi, the 13th century Persian scholar and mystic – the bestselling poet in America today! Joining him was vituoso percussionist and oud player Hani Nasar.

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography

LIV ULLMANN  

4 February, 2018
Liv Ullmann returned to the Rafael for a charming and insightful Q&A following the screening of AUTUMN SONATA and a reception in her honor.

Photos ©  Tommy Lau Photography

AN EVENING WITH LIV ULLMANN

2 February, 2018
A truly wonderful Evening with Liv Ullmann. Warm and generous, Ms. Ullmann enchanted the sold-out audience with her lifetime of stories and great humor.

Photos ©  The Understory

INTUITION PGS: YOUR PERSONAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM

12 January, 2018
We had a fantastic evening with director Bill Bennett, Dr. Francesca McCartney and Dr. Dean Radin at our sold out screening of PGS INTUITION: YOUR PERSONAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM! We look forward to the encore screening on Sunday, Jan. 14th with Bennett and McCartney returning to discuss all things intuition!

Photos ©  Allison Levenson Photography