The 48th Mill Valley Film Festival is gearing up to light up screens all over Marin County from October 2–12. This year’s festival looks like one of the most exciting lineups in recent memory.
You’ll see master filmmakers, Hollywood icons, local favorites, and first-time directors. The festival’s lineup highlights voices from around the world while giving Marin’s own arts community a well-deserved spotlight.
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With appearances by Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee, and “Wicked” filmmaker Jon M. Chu, movie lovers from Mill Valley to San Rafael are in for a treat. There’s something electric about seeing these names on the schedule—it feels like the festival just keeps leveling up.
A Diverse, Star-Powered Lineup for 2024
This year’s program brings together 139 films from 40 different countries. Over half are directed or co-directed by women and non-binary filmmakers, which is honestly refreshing and long overdue.
Zoe Elton, the festival’s long-time programmer, shaped this wide-ranging selection in her final full-time year. The 48th edition feels like a celebration of her vision and a big moment for the festival.
Opening and Closing Night Highlights
Opening night kicks off with Chloé Zhao’s *Hamnet*, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The film reimagines Shakespeare’s grief over his son’s death and how it might have inspired *Hamlet*.
Wrapping up the festival is *Rental Family*, directed by Hikari and starring Brendan Fraser as an actor hired to “stand in” for strangers in Japan. It’s a premise that’s bound to get people talking from Sausalito cafés to San Anselmo wine bars.
Special Guests and Exclusive Events
On October 4, Jon M. Chu will present a Masterclass on bringing *Wicked*—and its sequel—to the big screen. Film students from Novato to Fairfax are probably already marking their calendars for this one.
Music, Legends, and Tributes
On October 9, Marin’s own Lars Ulrich teams up with director Jonas Åkerlund to present the documentary *Metallica Saved My Life*. It’s a personal, powerful look at the band’s lasting impact.
Just two days later, on October 11, Spike Lee will be honored with a career tribute. The festival shines a light on his decades of groundbreaking work and recent projects like *Highest 2 Lowest* and Netflix’s *Katrina: Come Hell and High Water*.
Other tribute honorees include:
- Zoey Deutch (*Nouvelle Vague*)
- Jafar Panahi (*It Was Just an Accident*)
- Joel Edgerton (*Train Dreams*)
- Tonatiuh (*Kiss of the Spider Woman*)
- Rose Byrne (*If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*)
Awards-Season Buzz Hits Marin
If you’re keeping an eye on the Oscars from San Rafael, Larkspur, or Tiburon, the Mill Valley Film Festival offers a sneak peek at some major contenders. This year’s slate includes:
- Luca Guadagnino’s *After the Hunt*
- Richard Linklater’s *Blue Moon*
- Yorgos Lanthimos’ *Bugonia*
- Kelly Reichardt’s *The Mastermind*
- Park Chan-wook’s *No Other Choice*
- Scott Cooper’s *Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere*
Venues and Ticket Information
Screenings take place at some of the Bay Area’s favorite venues, like the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael and the Sequoia Cinema in downtown Mill Valley. The iconic Lark Theater in Larkspur and the Berkeley Art Museum just across the bridge are also on the list.
Tickets range from $9 to $18.50, and general sales open September 18. That gives cinephiles in Corte Madera, Belvedere, and beyond plenty of time to plan out their festival picks.
A Celebration of Storytelling in Marin
Over the decades, the Mill Valley Film Festival has grown into one of the country’s most respected showcases for independent and international cinema. It’s not just about movie screenings—this festival feels more like a cultural gathering, pulling together people from all over Marin County.
Film lovers from Ross to Kentfield come to share in the power of storytelling. There’s something special about seeing a thought-provoking documentary or a buzzed-about drama with your neighbors, right?
This 48th edition promises to remind us why the festival is such a beloved part of Marin’s cultural fabric. If you love movies, music, and that creative spark that makes Marin unique, October’s your month.
It’s a chance to dive into art, conversation, and a bit of discovery. The big screen’s calling, and honestly, this year’s Mill Valley Film Festival might just be the best excuse to answer.
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Here is the source article for this story: Exclusive: Metallica, Spike Lee and Jon M. Chu headline star-packed Mill Valley Film Festival
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