Letter

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to welcome you to the second annual Mendocino Film Festival. We all know what a pleasure it is to visit Mendocino with its historic charm and dramatic coastline. The Film Festival provides yet another compelling reason to experience the magic of Mendocino. With over 60 films made here over the past century, what better location for a film festival!

We are proud this year to offer over 100 films with more than 50 of the creators of these works of art in attendance to discuss their vision and answer your questions. The Mendocino Film Festival is honored to present Mr. Albert Maysles, the "Dean of Documentary Filmmaking," with over 50 films to his credit including GIMME SHELTER, GREY GARDENS and WHAT'S HAPPENING! THE BEATLES IN THE USA.

As well, it is our great pleasure this year to present to Mr. Danny Glover the Rogue Wave Award for his unwavering social activism and humanitarian work around the world. Our good friend, Mr. Carl Lumbly, who has performed in such films as THE WEDDING, MEN
OF HONOR and HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK along with TV's ALIAS, is returning as our Emcee of the Awards Ceremony on Saturday night.We have added a fifth venue this year-the Mendocino Theater Company's 88-seat theater on Little Lake Road. It joins our
other intimate venues which make the viewing experience and the Q&A's more personal.

Program Director, Pat Ferrero has spent hundreds of volunteer hours seeking and selecting  films that are well-crafted and timely in topic. Co-Curator, George Russell, has also spent hundreds of hours screening and evaluating films with Pat and with our pre-screeners.
And I personally want to thank the Board of Directors for their devotion and hard work throughout the past year. Without their expertise and steadfast pro bono work, this festival would not have been possible. Even with dedicated Board members, the festival
needs volunteers, and we are very fortunate to live in this wonderful community of such generous people willing to donate their time to help make the Festival a success. I would also like to thank our generous sponsors. From the Executive Director level to Friends of
the Festival, every dollar and in-kind donation helps. Thank you for your support!

Our goal is to contribute much needed funds to our community. From the proceeds of our inaugural festival, we presented a Media Literacy Program for film students at our local high school.
We are very proud of our program this year and hope you will find our selection as thought-provoking and entertaining as we do. Enjoy the festival and thank you for
joining us!

Keith Brandman