“I think Ann Walker and I viewed close to 700 films to find the ones that would be meaningful to our community and visitors,†smiles Angela Matano, director of the Mendocino Film Festival.
Preparations for the festival, which will be held in Mendocino and Fort Bragg from May 28th to May 31st, are in full swing, and some events are already selling out. “Our live music event featuring a celebration of the music of John Prine is already sold out,†she notes.
The festival founder, Keith Judith, birthed the event in the back of a little shop on Main Street, Matano notes. “Those first years, a few films were shown, and about 20 people attended. It's now grown to several thousand people over four days. This year, we are showing 80 films- the most films overall, the most short films, the most films by women directors, the most films from the most countries, and the most Sundance films. It's a little like the film version of Sophie's Choice- there are almost too many choices of incredible films to see,†she smiles. This year's premier sponsors are Pamela Hudson Real Estate, Mendo Sotheby's, and Harvest Market.
The audience is comprised of about 75% local folks and 25% visitors and filmmakers. “We work hard to appeal to both groups. This year, we've reached out to the Latino community, students, and high schools to make sure the festival is fun and accessible for everyone.â€
“We worked with the Community Foundation of Mendocino County to expand our Latino programming. Our three Latino focus films this year are American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, a masterful work of Chicano storytelling; If I Could Stay, the story of two undocumented mothers seeking sanctuary in a Colorado church, and We Shall Not Be Moved, a tense, interesting arty thriller about a lawyer obsessed with finding the soldier who killed her brother in 1968.â€
When selecting the films for the festival, Matano tries to keep the community culture in mind. “People enjoy social justice, the arts, nature, wine, and music. About 2/3 of our films are documentaries, and 1/3 are narrative films. We always show a film about conservation and work with the Mendocino Land Trust so that they can use that film as a fundraiser.†This year's “Keeping it Wild†short film series includes Conservation Forever, which was produced by the Land Trust and covers the 50-year history of the organization.
The “Reel Mendo†short films include 9 films by local filmmakers. Leaving the Point is a story about the ranch closures at Point Reyes National Seashore, which has many parallels with the conflicts of preservation, sustainability, and historic value of place. Husky Love, directed by Monica Stein-Olsen, is about love, marriage, and the Iditarod race. Cassandra Young directed Seafood in Schools: Noyo Harbor, the story about the harbor and getting fresh seafood to coastal school districts. Ethan DeLorenzo's Cider Creek Collective is the story of the Albion ceramics collective. Cassandra Young's Compassion in Action: Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County is an intimate portrait of the organization that ensures no one with cancer faces the disease alone.
“The films spark so many interesting conversations on all sides of any issue,†Matano continues. “They offer ways for people to come to an understanding, work together, and provide a road map for people to expand their ability to listen. I'm amazed at the ability of film to create empathy through the immersion of oneself in a story that's not your own. We become so absorbed in the characters, falling in love with them, broadening our minds, or making us laugh.â€
For people interested in a profound film experience, Matano recommends The Voice of Hind Rajab, the story of a 5-year-old trapped in a car under fire in Gaza. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature.
For those just looking to smile, the “Feel Good Short Films†feature 10 films designed to warm hearts and lift spirits. Candy Bar, a Sundance 2026 film, tells the story of a young girl at the movies who sees a man who looks like her father. The Academy Award-nominated Retirement Plan is about Ray, who dreams about everything he plans to do post-retirement. The Hole is about 2 neighbors who forge a connection when a hole opens up between their apartments.
“Short Films: See the World†includes six films that take the viewer to Poland, Japan, Kenya, Peru, and Nepal. Legendary filmmaker Les Blank directed Motorcycle Moment, a film he started 61 years ago, which was finished by his son. The Spectacle shows what happens when serene landscapes are overtaken by tourists taking selfies, and The Conscience Files explores a “curse†at Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park.
Other films of note include Sundance 2026 The Baddest Speechwriter of All, directed by Steph Curry and Ben Proudfoot- the story of Martin Luther King's speechwriter. Amazing Live Sea Monkeys documents the battle for the formula for the novelty toy marketed in the 1960s comic books. Cookie Queens, a Sundance 2026 documentary, shared the story of how four Girl Scouts vie to be a top-selling “cookie queen,†with a special surprise from local Girl Scout Troop 10745 following the film.
Matano notes that the children's program, sponsored by Sean Leland, is free every year. “We always have kids in the audience who have never been to a movie theatre. This year, we're featuring shorts from the New York International Children's Film Festival. Sean has been sponsoring the children's program for many years, and State Farm Insurance always has a bike giveaway at the event.â€
Other special events taking place are a performance by the Mendocino Music Festival Chorale following the film Tina, a story about a scrappy Children's choir in New Zealand. Pieowa: A Piece of America is a film about the importance of pie in Iowa's culture, and will be followed by homemade pie and coffee- a benefit for Mendocino students' Miasa exchange program. The Big Cheese, a film about the Olympics of Cheese in France, will be followed by a wine and cheese tasting, featuring Bonterra Organic Estates Wines and local cheeses provided by Harvest Market.
Steal This Story, Please! The story of renowned journalist Amy Goodman will be followed by a lively discussion featuring local journalists. The Fifth Annual Native Cinema Event features a sneak preview of Coming Home: From Shadowland to Spirit World and is preceded by two short Films: Tule and Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab, with special guests and a presentation to follow.
Mendocino Grove will host a movie under the stars, featuring The Princess Bride, a pop-up festival event featuring a 3-course dinner, free popcorn, and an outdoor screening of the feature film.
The Golden Gala is a dress-up affair and the festival's biggest party, featuring art, small bites, and music, taking place at the Mendocino Art Center.
Matano notes that this may be the only time to see a number of these films. “A lot of these films never get released, and you can't find them online. We're curating what we think is worth watching and worth your time.†She sends a shout-out to Matt Roland. “Matt is responsible for our festival tent, which is really the jewel of our festival. Every year it takes our breath away, he makes it so beautiful.â€
She notes that one of the unique elements about this festival is that, with the exception of the films at Fort Bragg's Coast Cinemas, the entire experience is contained in one place. “Filmgoers tell us that for a lot of festivals, you have to drive from place to place. All the filmmakers who come here are just blown away. This weekend is so friendly, such a great way to have fun, and it just enlivens the town.â€
“All our projections are run by students from Mendocino High School, overseen by instructor Marshall Brown. The students are getting real-time training in projection and sound, and we use the high school as one of our venues. The Community Foundation kindly enabled the purchase of a new projector. We have been honored to be a part of 100 Women Strong. Our fantastic board and our community have been so supportive of the festival.â€
“We continue to keep film prices low, at $15 per ticket. And if you volunteer, you can go for free,†she smiles. “We have about 100 volunteers from the community, and we couldn't do this without them.â€
On July 1st, submissions open up for the 2027 festival. “We start looking at films right away,†Matano smiles. “Ann says it best: ‘The Mendocino Film Festival brings the world to Mendocino, and Mendocino to the world.â€
For tickets, scheduling, to volunteer or to view this year's schedule, visit https://mendofilm.org. Â Tickets may be purchased in person and by phone, Thursday-Saturday from noon to 4:00 at the Film Festival office or by calling (707) 937-0171. Â Hard copies of the program are available at the Festival office in Mendocino at 45062 Ukiah Street.
