Mill Valley Film Festival's Family Films

FAMILY FILMS + FUN ACTIVITIES!

The Mill Valley Film Festival's Family Films collection offers an engaging selection of films the whole family can enjoy together. Plus kid-friendly activities will be paired with these screenings—including face painting, a monster make-up demo, delicious treats, and even a children's book raffle!

Read on for more details on these films, conversations with filmmaker guests, and fun pop-up activations throughout the Festival. See you at MVFF, Oct 5-15! ✨

CLEO & NINA

This animated documentary brings to life a phone call between five-year-old Sara and her grandmother Nina with a story about Nina’s childhood pet pig and an itchy dress.

COMMON GROUND

A striking wake-up call for the entire world, this dramatic and gorgeously shot doc focuses on the power of regenerative farming to transform the Earth, and how soil health is the key to all health.

THE DANCE

Andrés gets invited to the school dance by the girl he likes, but there's one problem: His shoe has a hole in it. With only a day left, Andrés must find a way to fix his shoe and impress his crush.

EAT FLOWERS

When photographer and writer Cig Harvey discovers her best friend has leukemia, she sets out to fill her world with color and light.

EL MOÑO

After her favorite sock goes missing, Andrea learns some family magic that helps her find lost objects in the most unexpected way.

FARMING WHILE BLACK

In 1910, Black farmers owned 14 percent of all American farmland. Over the intervening decades, that number fell to two percent, the result of racism, discrimination, and dispossession.

FEAST YOUR EARS: THE STORY OF WHFS 102.3 FM

Built out of “a pile of radio junk,” Bethesda, Maryland’s WHFS was a music fan’s dream of a radio station.

FOUNDER GIRLS

In this kaleidoscopic ode to girlhood, young campers find freedom, sisterhood, and themselves at a historically Black summer camp.

FRYBREAD FACE AND ME

Director Billy Luther’s wistfully funny debut spins the tender coming-of-age tale of 11-year-old Benny. Q&A with director Billy Luther after both screenings

GUGU NAGOGO

When a lunar eclipse interferes with their magical late-night letter exchanges, 12-year-old aspiring astronomer Gugu must find a new way to reconnect with her beloved grandmother.

I AM HOPE

Through fly-on-the-wall footage and insightful interviews, director ShakaJamal chronicles the effort to create a first-of-its-kind yoga and mindfulness program for Oakland Unified School District middle schools.

LA CALESITA

An animated tribute to the beloved Argentinian merry-go-round operators who have dedicated their lives to providing fun and happiness to children and their communities.

THE LAKE MERRITT MONSTER

When Ollie’s mother is attacked by a monster hiding in the depths of Lake Merritt, he sets out on a mission to find her—discovering instead a hidden network of monster-hunters tasked with protecting Oakland from its own dark underbelly. Q&A with director Benjamin Mulholland (The Lake Merritt Monster) and other special guests after both screenings, plus a free monster make-up demo after the Oct 8 screening.

A LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR

Alone in her apartment during the pandemic, Natalie turns to her favorite classic movies to keep her company. When her life in color gradually begins to turn to black-and-white, she takes a magical tour through film history, recreating a dazzling array of classic movie scenes.

MIST

When Nicolas and his family move from the city to a new house next to a forest, his perception of his new environment starts to change thanks to mysterious encounters with native animals.

MÚSICA!

Founded 120 years ago, the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music trains the crème de la crème among aspiring young Cuban musicians — enrollment is so competitive, the school accepts only about one in a hundred applicants. 

NEW MOON

Young Jay Jay and his mother Edie enjoy a warm summer night listening to the sounds of Aretha Franklin from the radio under the light of the new moon. Together, they embark on a magical journey to rediscover lost dreams and nurture new hopes. 

OPERATION FRANKENSTEIN

Three mischievous siblings discover part of a mannequin in a dumpster and see it as a perfect opportunity to build their very own Frankenstein monster.

PERIODICAL

Eye-opening, energizing, and empowering, Periodical relates an oft-overlooked story of the human body by exploring the science, politics, and mystery of the menstrual cycle. 

THE PIÑATA

Seven-year-old Lorena is determined to win the school's piñata contest and its coveted grand prize: a new bicycle.

THE RIGHT TO READ

Why is it that reading levels, particularly for children of color, continue to plummet, and what decisive steps can be taken to reverse this distressing trend? 

ROBOT DREAMS

A poignant animated tale of friendship in 1980s Manhattan unfolds in this adaptation of Sara Varon’s graphic novel, scripted by the author in collaboration with award-winning director Pablo Berger (Blancanieves). 

ROSA AND THE STONE TROLL

Swoop into Summerland, a magical forest where adventure awaits a timid fairy who’s about to discover her first true friend—and the courage she never knew she had. Free face painting and Fairytale Brownies after both screenings — and wear your fairy wings to the theater to get a free small popcorn (ages 12 and under).

SIROCCO AND THE KINGDOM OF THE WINDS

When an author of children’s books babysits her friend’s two young daughters for the weekend, she’s just pulled a writing all-nighter and needs a nap. Free Sweetly Cali Desserts and a special children’s book raffle after both screenings.

WEIRDOS

Could Jasmine and her middle-school frenemies be humanity’s best chance at stopping a monster invasion?