Given the abundance of elevated screening experiences in Marin County—from San Rafael’s Smith Rafael Film Center and Tiburon’s Cinelounge to Larkspur’s The Lark and the Fairfax Theater in its namesake city—it’s clear that we have a thing for the movies. Well, not only merely movies but, more specifically, the communal big screen affair we call cinema.
Besides the surfeit of locations at which one can see film story writ-large on a silver screen, that dwarfs your smart TV and makes your phone look downright microscopic, Marin has spawned more than its fair share of filmmakers and franchises (looking at you, Fincher, Murch and Lucas). Moreover, we enjoy a disproportionate amount of film-themed events—consider the upcoming film festival calendar, which features the juggernaut of the Bolinas Film Festival in September and the Mill Valley Film Festival on its celluloid heels in October.
And it’s not just the venues or the visiting auteurs—it’s the audiences too. Marin cinephiles are a breed apart: opinionated, discerning and often vociferously on their Letterboxd accounts. They treat Q&As like sacred rituals and queue for documentaries like they’re blockbusters. That rare combination of cultural curiosity and cinematic literacy makes for a uniquely engaged moviegoing public—one that festivals love and filmmakers long to impress.
“Marin County’s longstanding appreciation for the cinematic arts and enduring love of film on the big screen continue to thrive, as evidenced by the packed screenings and community enthusiasm at the vibrant annual Bolinas Film Festival,” observes the fest’s founder, Enzo Resta. “It’s the latest proof that storytelling and film culture still hold a cherished place in Marin’s cultural heart. This community doesn’t just watch movies—it passionately celebrates them.”
Take that, Netflix.
