Day three of the 8th Annual Napa Valley Film Festival was once again filled with incredible films and documentaries along with food and wine pairing.
The highlight of the day was when the gracious and talented actress Geena Davis took to the stage at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville, Ca to accept the Davis Estates Visionary Tribute. She was honored and recognized for her contributions in film and her inspiring work to farther women’s rights and gender equality in the film industry.
Due to a flight delay, patrons first watched Davis’ documentary, This Changes Everything,
directed by Tom Donohue. This Changes Everything is an investigative look at gender disparity
in Hollywood behind and in-front of the camera, featuring accounts from the industry’s leading
actors, artists and stakeholders. Davis was then able to participate in a moderated on-stage
conversation following the screening, which she was also Executive Producer.
Michael Churven, Stephanie Courtney, Tracy Newman, Cheri Oteri, Julia Sweeney, Jordan Black, and Michaela Watkins attend the 2018 Napa Valley Film Festival Miner Family Winery “Legacy Ensemble” Tribute to The Groundlings Theatre and School held at the Lincoln Theatre, Napa, California, USA – 9 Nov 2018
An Academy Award and Golden Globe winning actress known for her work in such films as The Accidental Tourist, Thelma & Louise, and A League of Their Own, Geena Davis is also recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls. She is the Founder and Chair of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which engages film and television creators to dramatically increase the percentages of female characters — and reduce gender stereotyping — in media made for children 11 and under.
Earlier in the day, the Napa Valley Film Festival was pleased to honor The Groundlings Theatre & School with the Miner Family Winery Legacy Ensemble Tribute in a special presentation that consisted of an on-stage conversation with Groundlings alumni including Jordan Black, Stephanie Courtney, Tracy Newman, Cheri Oteri, Julia Sweeney and Michaela Watkins, moderated by current Groundling Michael Churven. The theater was filled with laughter as the group looked back on their time at The Groundlings, giving the audience a peek into the early days of SNL and working with other amazing talents that have come up through the Groundlings program.
Photos: Jason Merritt/Radar Pics for the Napa Valley Film Festival for the Groundlings Theater & School.
Photos & Story Courtesy of Kari Ruel of Napa Valley Life Magazine
