Exclusive: Mill Valley Film Festival undergoing change at the top
Zoë Elton has been associated with the Mill Valley Film Festival since its inception. But the 48th edition of the event will be the first in more than three decades without her as director of programming.
Elton told the Chronicle on Monday, June 9, that she is transitioning to a part-time role and intends to make more time for her creative pursuits.
'I have in my background as well a life in writing and creating art,' she said. 'I'm a regular cartoonist and I want to make more space to have my own creative life back. That is really key for me.'
The California Film Institute, which runs the internationally recognized star-studded event each October, posted the job opening of artistic director — as the position will now be called — later Monday and intends to launch a nationwide search this summer.
'The work that we do is absolutely amazing, but the extensiveness of the work and the pressure of the work, it never goes away,' Elton said. 'I can't remember the last time I had an actual vacation. We're always working. So, as rewarding as it can be, I'd like to relieve the pressure a little bit.'
Elton's said her new role will be 'curatorial.'
Executive Director and founder Mark Fishkin told the Chronicle that the decision was '100%' Elton's, and that he'd have been happy to have her as director of programming for as long as she wanted the job.
'The good news is she's not going anywhere,' Fishkin continued. 'Obviously not in that role, but she'll be here to give additional wisdom and her many years of experience to the programming department and the organization in general. That's the good side of it.'
Elton has spearheaded several ongoing programs at MVFF that have helped define the event's mission, most prominently Mind the Gap, an initiative championing gender equity in film.
She also is known for her commitment to world cinema and emerging voices. She is a ubiquitous presence at the film festival, often conducting post screening Q&As with some of the world's biggest stars and filmmakers.
'It's been an extraordinary experience to help shape MVFF from its early days into a respected presence in the world of film festivals,' Elton said in a statement released later Monday. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with so many incredible filmmakers and creatives and to introduce their work to our community. Championing new voices and engaging with artists at all stages of their careers has been a true gift.'
Elton was born in Hereford, England, and attended drama school in Hampstead in northwest London. She came to the United States in the 1970s, intending to hitchhike across the country, go to Peru, then back to England. Instead, she fell in love with Northern California and stayed; she has lived in Oakland for decades.
'Knowing those rock star moments when you think, 'Oh yeah, I did that,'' she explained.
As to what her advice might be to her successor, Elton didn't hesitate.
'Breathe,' she said. 'Stay grounded. Love what you do. Let go of what you don't love.'
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