Photo Credit: Courtesy Napa Valley Film Festival
Whether your favorite John Travolta character is Tony Manero (“Saturday Night Live”) Danny Zuko (“Grease”), Gov. Jack Stanton (“Primary Colors”) or Vincent Vega (“Pulp Fiction”), we know you’ll be excited to learn that that the two-time Oscar nominee will be among the stars honored at the fifth annual Napa Valley Film Festival, which takes place Nov. 11-15, 2015 in beautiful Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.
NVFF Co-Founders/Directors Brenda and Marc Lhormer today announced this year’s celebrity tributes today that will salute the highest level of cinematic achievement. They will bestow the Legendary Actor Tribute, presented by Freemark Abbey, on Bruce Dern. Actress and model Lydia Hearst and actors Evan Peters and Finn Wittrock will also be accepting a Rising Star Tribute presented by Domaine Chandon. Multi-talented comic actor Keegan-Michael Key will receive a Trailblazer Tribute. And Travolta, whose movie “Life on the Line” will have its world premiere screening at the NVFF on Nov. 14. Travolta, who will receive the festival’s Career Achievement Tribute, is expected to attend. The Celebrity Tributes will take place on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville and will include video highlight reels and intimate on-stage conversations with Billy Bush of “Access Hollywood.”
Also announced: the program line-up, Opening Night & Gala screenings and special events for the NVFF, whose presenting sponsor is Lexus. In addition to showcasing the year’s best new independent films in 12 unique screening venues, also on display are Napa Valley’s finest food and wine at all special events, VIP receptions, Vintners Circle dinners and a lively series of chef presentations and demonstrations on the Ferguson Culinary Stage presented by Traditional Home.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our incredible line-up of new independent discoveries and awards season contenders with our enthusiastic and appreciative audiences,” says Marc Lhormer, who is also the Executive & Artistic Director. “Between screenings, Q&As with all the visiting filmmakers, industry panels, culinary demos, parties, and of course, all of the food and wine-related tastings and events, each day will be jam packed with unforgettable experiences. There will indeed be something for everyone.”
Some of the highlights will be:
Opening Night, Nov. 11: A red carpet screening and world premiere of “Somm: Into the Bottle,” the highly anticipated sequel to the wildly successful film Somm. Expect Master Sommelier sightings and other celebrity guests on the red carpet. Following the screening, NVFF Patron Circle Members, VIP guests and a limited amount of ticket holders will enjoy an Opening Night Party at the Riverfront Promenade at the Napa River Inn.
Festival Gala, Nov. 12: This extravagant red carpet gala will follow an awards season screening of “Spotlight,” starring Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, John Slattery, Billy Crudup and Bryan D’Arcy James. NVFF Patron Circle Members, Pass Plus and Gala ticket holders will mingle with filmmakers and celebrities at the most glamorous and energized party of the year. Guests will enjoy cuisine from more than 30 of the Valley’s local culinary stars and wines from more than 50 of Napa Valley’s esteemed vintners and wineries.
Closing night, Nov. 15: At the Award Ceremony taking place at the Uptown Theatre in Napa, attendees will be able to join in the excitement and anticipation as the festival reveals the winners of its Juried and Audience Awards. Each winner will be presented a large format collectible bottle of fabulous wine from one of the festival’s generous Vintner Circle members. The winners of the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature will each receive a $10,000 check courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley.
For information or to buy passes, visit NVFF.ORG or call 707-226-7500
