Napa Valley Film Festival

BILLY BOB THORNTON TO RECEIVE CALDWELL VINEYARD MAVERICK TRIBUTE AND ALICE EVE TO RECEIVE RAYMOND VINEYARDS TRAILBLAZER TRIBUTE AT THE 8^th ANNUAL NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

Thornton and Eve join fellow Tribute honorees Geena Davis and Laurence Fishburne, Rising Stars Taissa Farmiga, Billy Magnussen, Camila Mendes, Rosa Salazar, Tye Sheridan and Alexandra Shipp, and Groundlings Theatre & School esteemed alumni

Napa, California – The eighth annual Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) announced Academy Award-winning writer, actor, director and musician Billy Bob Thornton will receive the Caldwell Vineyard Maverick Tribute and actress Alice Eve will receive the Raymond Vineyards Trailblazer Tribute alongside Charles Krug Legendary Actor honoree Laurence Fishburne at this year’s Celebrity Tributes presentation on November 8.

Thornton has an extensive and impressive career in motion pictures and television, most recently seen starring in the Amazon series Goliath, for which his performance received raved reviews and garnered him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama. He recently reprised his iconic and Golden Globe nominated performance in the 2003 box-office hit, Bad Santa, in Bad Santa 2. He can also be seen in A Million Little Pieces, the screen adaptation of James Frey’s best-selling book, and is currently preparing to start filming season 3 of Goliath.

Eve’s work in film and television has proven her as a versatile and dynamic talent in the entertainment industry. She can be next seen in Jeffrey Nachmanoff’s sci-fi thriller, Replicas, opposite Keanu Reeves. This fall, Eve will play Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt in Jay Roach’s feature, Fair and Balanced, opposite John Lithgow, Charlize Theron, and Margot Robbie. Eve most recently starred in the second season of Netflix’s Iron Fist and her other film credits include Star Trek Into Darkness, Men in Black 3, and Before We Go.

“We are thrilled to share our hospitality, food, wine, and our appreciative film-loving audiences with these fantastic actors,” said NVFF Co-Founder & Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “Billy Bob Thornton has demonstrated in his career the ability to take on dynamic roles that demonstrate remarkable range and Alice Eve impresses us with the risks she takes and in doing so, achieves great success. We look forward to hosting them throughout their stay at the festival.”

The Celebrity Tributes program with Laurence Fishburne, Billy Bob Thornton and Alice Eve will take place on Thursday, November 8 at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville and will include highlight reels and an intimate on-stage conversation with Access’ Natalie Morales.

Additionally, on Friday, November 9, Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own) will be honored with the Davis Estates Visionary Tribute following a screening of the documentary film This Changes Everything.

Earlier in the day on November 9, NVFF will be honoring the esteemed alumni of The Groundlings Theatre and School with the Miner Family Winery Legacy Ensemble award. Accepting on behalf of The Groundlings are Stephanie Courtney (Progressive Insurance’s Flo), Taran Killam (Saturday Night Live, Single Parents), Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live, Coneheads), Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live, Scary Movie) and Julia Sweeney (Saturday Night Live, It’s Pat).

The second annual Rising Star Showcase presented by Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards on Saturday, November 10 will honor a handful of young talent including Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story, The Nun), Billy Magnussen (Maniac, Game Night), Camila Mendes (Riverdale, The New Romantic), Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel, Maze Runner: The Death Cure), Tye Sheridan (Ready Player One, X-Men: Dark Phoenix) and Alexandra Shipp (Love, Simon, X-Men: Dark Phoenix).

About the Napa Valley Film Festival

The ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, the Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) lights up wine country at the most colorful time of year, November 7-11. NVFF presents approximately 100 new independent films and studio sneak previews in 10 beautiful venues in Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Attendees interact with over 300 filmmakers at screenings and special events, as well as enjoy daily culinary demonstrations and wine tastings. Events include the Celebrity Tributes, Awards Ceremony, Festival Gala, Opening and Closing Night parties and much more. The Napa Valley Film Festival is presented by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. Visit www.nvff.org for more information or call 707.226.7500

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Presenting Sponsor: Lexus

Major Sponsor: Meadowood Napa Valley

Leading Sponsors:  AVMS, Charles Krug Winery, Cognition Studios, Colorzone, DoNapa, Miner Family Winery, Raymond Vineyards, Westin Verasa Napa

Supporting Sponsor: Archer Hotel Napa, Calistoga TID Committee, Davis Estates, Estate Events by Meadowood, Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, Monogram Appliances, MovieCoin, Glenfiddich, Las Alcobas Napa Valley, Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards, Napa County Board of Supervisors, Stella Artois, The Studio by Feast it Forward, WanderLuxxe, Whole Foods

Media and Marketing Partners: Travel + Leisure, Variety, Wine Spectator

For information or to buy passes, visit NVFF.ORG or call 707-226-7500.