Festival Overview

We established the Mendocino Film Festival in 2006. In developing our vision statement and goals, we strove to reflect our appreciation of community and the simpler, outdoors-oriented Mendocino lifestyle. In such a quiet and beautiful environment, attending filmmakers can focus less on hype and more on craft and creative kinship. They can turn off their cell phones, hike the headlands, and share their work with passionate colleagues and attendees. Mendocino is known for its artistic and politically active population, so local audiences are informed, engaged and supportive.

We’re building on our past success
Filmmakers and filmgoers love our Festival. It’s easy to see why in a very short time we have attracted the attention and warm support of both these groups. In 2006, legendary director Sydney Pollack helped us found the Festival as our Special Guest. In 2007, our second year, over 70 filmmakers and celebrity guests attended the Festival, from around the country and across the globe.

This year promises to be even better with new special film categories including:

Films for Our Future
The North Coast of California has long been associated with vigorous social and environmental activism. This new category is guided by the words: Films for Our Future – Changing the world, one film at a time.

Films on the Arts
Mendocino County has more artists per capita than any other county in California. In acknowledgement of this creative community, the Festival expressed its commitment to the arts by establishing a special category: Films on the Arts. This category brings to the festival the life and work of outstanding artists, dancers and musicians, whose stories and lives are highlighted through the lenses of world-class filmmakers.

Reaching Out
Through special screenings and programs, the Mendocino Film Festival makes sure to include our Pomo Native population, our Hispanic community, our Disabled community, our Seniors, and children of all ages.

Artist in Residence
A multi-disciplinary film and arts event will be coordinated with the local Mendocino Art Center, funded by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County.

Panels & Q&A’s with Filmmakers and Special Guests
The majority of films selected for screening are represented by their visiting directors—we hosted 40 filmmakers in our inaugural year and an extraordinary 70 in 2007. Given this rare proportion of filmmakers to regular attendees, there is ample opportunity for film-goers to interact with screenwriters, directors, producers and celebrities from across the industry.