Your MEMBERSHIPS and SPONSORSHIPS make our festival possible! Please DONATE today!
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!
2025 Audience Choice winners
2025 jury winners
What Filmmakers Say
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![Photo of Nicole Holofcener]()
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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![Joe Wein, director of 76 DAYS]()
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 headshot]()
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 of THE LAST DAUGHTER]()
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 headshot]()
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]()
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: THE 9 LIVES OF BARBARA DANE]()
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]()
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
our fantastic Sponsors
film Sponsors
Lee Edmundson • Indigenous Community Initiative
Kaye Handley • John & Kathryn Hughes
Dr & Mrs Richard Luis Miller • Todd Newberger
Paulson Excavating, Inc.