After a successful inaugural year in 2011, the Napa Valley Film Festival is back in 2012 and bigger than before. From November 7th to 11th, the festival will have screenings and events in four of Napa Valley's villages: Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. There will be twelve screening locations and food and wine pavilions in each town, showcasing the best edibles and potables that the area has to offer. 

With an eye toward celebrating the best of independent filmmaking, the festival has selected over 100 films, and there will be juried and audience awards at an awards ceremony on the final night. The festival will begin with a kickoff party on Wednesday night in downtown Napa that will celebrate the first viewing of the film SOMM, a documentary feature about sommeliers and the exam that they must pass.

Poster for featured film SOMM — Photo courtesy of NVFF

On Thursday night there will be a gala at the Robert Mondavi Winery with no shortage of big name chefs, like Brad Farmerie from The Thomas and Rene Ortiz from La Condesa. Throughout the extended weekend there will be question and answer sessions with writers, directors, producers, actors and others involved in filmmaking. In addition, there will be celebrity tributes to well-known actors like Alan Cumming, and rising stars like Girls' Adam Driver, as well as winery dinners and other special events. 

Check out the Napa Valley Film Festival website for festival passes, a full lineup of events and screenings, as well as much more information.