SO MANY WINE COUNTRY CELEBRATIONS... spring forth, like a bunch of beautiful grapes or a showy clutch of leaves on the vine, in the fall. But many area happenings were postponed or canceled, quite understandably, in October 2017, which saw a host of devastating fires throughout the region. People around Napa and Sonoma Counties, as well as points beyond, pondered if some of the larger events of later fall would continue, and, if so, if the schedule or dates would be impacted. Moreover, how those events could reach out and help those impacted by the fires was also taken into consideration.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST... of the fall festivities, the Napa Valley Film Festival, put out the word on Oct. 18 that "(o)ur festival footprint is intact" and that "(a)ll of the 120+ films and filmmaker Q+As, culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, special events will take place as planned..." during the Wednesday, Nov. 8 to Sunday, Nov. 12 gathering. So the request has gone wide and it is heartfelt: Come to the valley, arrive early if you can or stay a day or two after, revisit a favorite stay-over spot or restaurant, enjoy the movies, and support those who live around the area as they recover from the impact of the fires. The Napa Valley Film Festival, one of the starriest in the Golden State, is on, in short, and it is ready to welcome visitors.
HOW TO HELP... as you plan to attend? Buy a pass to the festival. Ten percent of all passes sold will go to the Napa Valley Community Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund (details here). Also a wonderful gesture on behalf of the festival's organizers? NVFF is "...offering 1,000 free tickets to those impacted by the fires."
WANT TO KNOW MORE... about what's screening, where, and when? This is a fine starting place, for you'll want to line up your watching pursuits, and your eating pursuits, and your hobnobbing pursuits before going N.V. over the second weekend in November. As for the celebrities in town? Comedian Will Ferrell will be a 2017 honoree, as will director Nancy Meyers and actor Michael Shannon, just to name a few. Know your dates, times, and venues for this ever-expanding, well-attended, and well-regarded cineparty, one that is already raising money to help its neighbors, friends, and fans.
