Napa Valley Film Festival event delivers wine, food and films
Cinephiles, oenophiles and foodies have reason to rejoice—particularly if their proclivities include all the above—as the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) returns to the Valley with the 2022 Film, Food and Wine Showcase.
Featuring a curated group of film screenings and honoree tributes that reflect some of this year’s most talked about films and performances, the four-day event foreshadows the fest’s return to in-person programming after celebrating film virtually for two years.
In addition to the film programming, the fest has partnered with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia, which will provide culinary experiences designed to complement the screenings and celebrate the food and wine culture evoked in each film.
“Food has long played a central role in film,” said Thomas Bensel, managing director for the CIA’s California campuses. “Teaming up with the NVFF for the 2022 Film, Food and Wine Showcase gives us an opportunity to celebrate these incredible stories and artists with meals inspired by them. Each event will have its own unique flavor, and guests are in for something truly special.”
Beyond the films, food and wine, the showcase also features enough star wattage to avert an energy crisis. Laura Dern, who is perhaps best known for portraying Dr. Ellie Sattler in the Jurassic Park film franchise, will be honored with the fest’s Legend Award on Friday, Nov. 11.
Other showcase honorees include actor Frank Grillo, who will be presented with the Spotlight Award acknowledging his body of work that includes turns in Warrior, Zero Dark Thirty and Donnybrook.
Luis Guzmán will receive the Trailblazer Award in tribute to his over 30 years in the movie business with roles in Out of Sight, The Limey, Traffic, Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love. Eight-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, performer and fashion icon Janelle Monáe also will receive a Trailblazer Award for her copious contributions to the entertainment world.
Regina Hall is the recipient of this year’s Maverick Award. Hall has numerous film and television credits to her name, including co-hosting the 94th Annual Academy Awards. Likewise, Rising Star Awards go to Stephanie Hsu, who can be seen in Everything Everywhere All At Once, and multi-hyphenate Cooper Raiff, who wrote, directed, produced and acted in Cha Cha Real Smooth, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022.
Film screenings and Q&As with the filmmakers include Cha Cha Real Smooth, Corsage, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend, The Son and finally, Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled about the 2022 NVFF Film, Food and Wine Showcase nor prouder of our team of dedicated board directors, our partners at The CIA at Copia and our showcase team,” said Cinema Napa Valley chair Rick Garber. “We’ve worked extremely hard to curate a diverse program that will undoubtedly deliver an exciting and fun-filled weekend of amazing films, food, wine and actor honorees,”
For more information, including a schedule of events, ticket prices and passes for NVFF 2022 Film, Food and Wine Showcase, visit www.napavalleyfilmfest.org.
All proceeds from the event will go to Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
