Virtual festivals and more upcoming in October

~ Lincoln Spector

Going to the movies is still problematic, but the movies are now coming to you. Here are some festivals and special cinematic events happening in October.

Mill Valley Film Festival

Website, October 8-18

The virtual version of one of the Bay Area’s major festivals will open with the world premiere of a new film version of Noël Coward’s stage comedy, Blithe Spirit (I hope it’s better than the earlier film version). As has become normal, opening night (actually two opening nights) will take place at a temporary drive-in theater – this time at Lagoon Park – Marin Center.


Other films, all streamed into your home, include The Heist of the Century, Sweet Thing, and The Boys Who Said No! If you have a Roku or an Apple TV, you should be able to easily watch movies on your television instead of your computer or, worse, your phone. As far as I know, Chromecast isn’t supported.

I hope to have time to write more about this festival.

CAAMFest FORWARD

Website, October 14 to 18

Back in May, the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) hosted one of the Bay Area’s first virtual film festivals. Now they’re coming back for more with eight world premieres, eight U.S premieres, and 23 Bay Area premieres.

Once again, the festival will start at a temporary drive-in, this time at Fort Mason Center. To start off the virtual cinema, the festival offers Wayne Wang’s latest film, a family drama titled Coming Home Again.

Other films include Mom Fight, Standing Above the Clouds, and an animated children’s movie called The Great Detective Sherlock Holmes: The Great Jail-Breaker.

Stevie Nicks screened in an actual movie theater

Rafael, October 21

Soon, you can actually buy a ticket and enter a movie theater to watch a movie on the big screen! Well, technically, it’s not a movie but a filmed concert – officially, the Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold: The Concert.

Of course, this will not be like a pre-COVID screening. Staff and guests will have to wear masks. Limited seating will be kept for social distancing. And there will be a lot of disinfectant.

Published by Lincoln Spector

Lincoln Spector writes about cinema, technology, and cinema technology. From 1986 through 2008, he wrote Gigglebytes, the first technology-oriented humor column. From 1977 through 2016, he wrote PC World's Answer Line column and blog.