There are several well-known Northern California film festivals. But as the Bolinas Film Festival (BFF), a relatively new kid on the circuit, gears up for its third year, it’s becoming increasingly clear they’re quickly moving on up in terms of quality, vibe and community building.
One may see for themself as the festival offers a sneak preview of sorts Saturday, Sept. 13 with a Goodfellas table read at Smiley’s Saloon from 1-3pm, followed by a more family friendly, free screening of 2024’s biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, in downtown Bolinas Park. But then, the following week, the fest officially starts and runs Sept. 18-21, with all films being shown at the Starlight Calvary Theater in Bolinas.
Festival president and co-founder Enzo Resta is bubbling with excitement for this year’s fest, saying, “We are screening over 30 films, many with filmmakers in attendance, [with] stories to delight families, cinephiles and more.” He adds that attendees can expect films from “local filmmakers and countries from all over the world, Brazil, Greece, Iran and more.”
Created in 2023 and co-founded with Los Angeles based filmmaker Chealy Jean, the Bolinas Film Festival’s vision is “to create new pathways to culture and to inspire and strengthen community through that which we hold in highest esteem: our connection to people, to history and possibility, and to place.” Of course, like any festival, BFF also seeks to honor local films, filmmakers, environment and history as well as entice new visitors to the eclectic seaside village.
One such local film that will be featured is a glance at famed Bolinas artist Arthur Okamura, who is known for his work in screen printing, drawing and painting. That film is helmed by Walter Murch Jr., son of fellow Bolinas resident Walter Murch, who of course has won several Oscars for sound and film editing. Other cinematic offerings come courtesy of filmmakers Lucian Patton, Nina Venezia and Oliver Whitcroft.
There’s also much to be experienced for nature lovers, which is obviously a key component of the beautiful West Marin community. Billed as “Festival Experiences,” these include a “Bountiful Farm Tour” on Friday, Sept. 19 from 11am-12:30pm, where host Mickey Murch will teach attendees a bit about the local farm and ag community. There’s also a “Forest Immersion in the Redwoods” on Saturday, Sept. 20 and a bird watching excursion Sunday morning, Sept. 21.
However, as this is a film festival, of course, Resta and his 25 person volunteer team have put together an impressive array of recent festival faves and some under the radar gems as well.
Friday night, Sept. 19, the festival kicks off with a Mexican dinner at Coast Café Bolinas at 5pm, followed by Frida, a 2024 documentary film directed by Carla Gutierrez about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, at 7pm.
The next day, one may head on back to the fest for Oceana: Journey to the Center by filmmaker Natalie Zimmerman, who will also be in attendance. Described as “a visual elegy, a story of cultural survival, and a profound cry to the world. It’s an experiential opportunity to ponder upon the need to take action to save a community that struggles to stay afloat,” the film may have special appeal given the bayside environs.
Saturday’s program includes Equal Rights Amendment doc, Ratified; A24’s family friendly hit, The Legend of Ochi (which will be presented by director Isaiah Saxon); and Payal Kapadia’s 2024 film, All We Imagine as Light.
Sunday rounds out the weekend festivities with Linus O’Brien’s Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, as well as a block of short films that is being offered free all afternoon, from 1-5pm.
More information about the 2025 Bolinas Film Festival can be found at bolinasfilmfestival.com.
