A new film festival, unlike any other, is coming to Napa Valley.
The inaugural Napa Valley StreamFest, which is set to take place April 24-27, 2025, will highlight podcasts, series, films and anything else that, well, streams — through screenings, live recordings, panels and parties — all in beautiful wine country.
“After working for twelve years at some of the top film festivals, I realized that the traditional festival model isn’t evolving with the ever-changing world of ‘streamertainment,’” StreamFest co-founder and executive director Fearon DeWeese said in a statement. “We’re launching Napa Valley StreamFest to celebrate all the ways we stream and binge entertainment — a variety show of content from indie films to viral TikToks. With our festival model, guests aren’t racing from one theater to the next; it’s a curated experience programmed to binge — to watch together while connecting in person and experiencing what Napa has to offer.”
Added Juliana Folk, StreamFest co-founder and board president, “The entertainment industry is undergoing a radical transformation — YouTube’s new self-distribution model and the Emmys recognizing web series are just the beginning. Today, TikTok stars wield as much influence as Hollywood’s biggest names, yet festivals remain stuck in old traditions. It’s time for a revolution that embraces all creators, from independent filmmakers to digital content creators, all with a mission to tell their stories. Napa Valley StreamFest is here to celebrate this new era and pioneer a first-of-its-kind festival model.”
Veteran festival organizer Michael J. Fox is also a member of the board.
The fest has lined up venues in downtown Napa that are all within walking distance of each other — and choice lodging options — among them Uptown Theatre, Feast It Forward Studio Social Collective and various wineries, including the newly rebuilt Signorello Estate.
Much of the program is still coming together, but already confirmed for the inaugural Les Garland Legandary Award for immense contribution to the entertainment industry is Les Garland, the co-founder of MTV, VH1, The Box Television Network and College Television Networks, who will be feted on Saturday, April 26, at the Uptown Theatre. The Legendary Artist Dinner will immediately follow.
Also coming to the fest: Baron Davis, the two-time NBA All-Star, who is behind the new streaming platform Slic.
