
Cinema in the Vineyards
Spaceballs
October 4, 2025
Pennyroyal Farm
Boonville

Thanks to all who made the 2025 Mendocino Film Festival a weekend to remember!
Organizers, donors, staff, special guests, and film lovers from near and far came together from May 29 through June 1 to enjoy the best of independent film as well as an array of uplifting and enriching live events. Thank you to everyone who participated and we can’t wait to do it again next year!










NORTH COAST KELPFEST! 2025
Sequoias of the Sea
October 5, 2025
Coast Cinemas
Fort Bragg

What Filmmakers Say
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Soraya Simi, Director: ROW OF LIFE
Mendocino Film Festival is a gem of an experience... you disappear into the coastal redwoods, lose cell service and drop in to a world of passionate film lovers. The emphasis on the filmmaker experience is palpable, with wonderful lodging and thoughtfulness toward what we need to be relaxed. The programming is top notch—I laughed, cried, and expanded my heart and mind in each screening. I felt lucky to make new friends with fellow filmmakers, and couldn't get over how beautiful the experience both inside and outside the theater was. Also, the free wine doesn't hurt!
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Jeanne C Finley, Director: A RADICAL THREAD
I absolutely loved my time at MFF! The other films were terrific and the audience was generous and enthusiastic. There were plenty of opportunities to meet other filmmakers which was a real highlight of the fest. Thanks so much for all you did to make filmmakers feel so welcome.
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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!
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Greg Snider, Editor: ABOUT DAMN TIME
The Mendocino Film Festival is a lavish, professionally run affair that gets it right. The film going community in the area is dedicated, intelligent and show up! Filmmakers are treated as welcome guests as the fest and the community go all out to support them and make them feel at home. Filmmaker and community interaction is key to this fest—with intelligent conversation about film the norm. The tech for screenings is top notch. The entire operation runs smoothly and enjoyably. The parties are a blast. The surrounding community and nature are spectacular.
I've been to the big fests and so much prefer events like the Mendocino Film Festival where community interaction and filmmaker support is key.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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
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