The Jarvis Conservatory continues its mission to promote the classical arts to the people of Napa California and the San Francisco Bay Area.  We are pleased to announce the sixth annual celebration will move forward with an October 7th - 8th, 2022 celebration.

This is a niche festival. The focus is specific but the themes that support it are endless. The struggles are vast and on an international scale we see the perseverance from a cultural, economic, psychological, spiritual and religious oppression that festival patrons would not have even known existed had they not have entered the theater. There are sacrifices made for every celebration in life but a life dedicated to the classical arts is a long road. This festival is a reflection of that journey.

All genres are accepted as long as the body of work pertains to the classical arts. Science Fiction and Horror genres are welcome as long as they adhere to this theme. For instance a perfect example of a classical arts themed horror film would be The Phantom Of The Opera. Projects about classical composers, conductors, choreographers, musicians, ballet, baroque, opera, zarzuela, or traditional puppetry are examples of content to expand from. Please do not submit content on classic rock, modern or jazz topics. They will not be accepted. Feature length and short subject are both celebrated.

A film festival event screening several short subject and feature length films from around the world, each supported with question and answer sessions all centered in the heart of beautiful and cultural downtown Napa California. The Classical Arts Film Festival is the perfect venue for filmmakers to have their work exhibited. It also establishes these artists as leaders in this specified area of the performing arts.

Awards & Prizes

Official festival laurels will be provided upon selection into the the Classical Arts Film Festival. All selected films will also receive a Certificate of Official Selection. There are several Jarvis Awards for excellence in the classical arts that are bestowed each year. Each winner will receive a plaque honoring their accomplishment.

Rules & Terms

• Film production could be from any year as long as it has not been commercially solicited or openly accessed via free online content providers.
• All genres permitted as long as they adhere to the theme of promoting the classical arts. Genres such as Drama, Comedy, Animation, Documentary, Tragedy, Legend/Folklore, Spiritual/Religious, Experimental.
• International films are strongly encouraged to apply but english subtitles are required on all non-english speaking films.
• More than one entry may be submitted. Each must be submitted with its own entry form and fee. Submissions to the Classical Arts Film Festival are through FilmFreeway.com only. Please do not submit in person, email or regular mail.
• There will be no DVD screeners permitted. All festival submissions must be online with online screeners through FilmFreeway.com
• After you submit, please check your FilmFreeway online account to see if your film has been received. Please don't contact us to find out if your film has been received. Check online.
• If selected the filmmaker must allow video clips of the submitted work to be used as part of promotional montages of the Classical Arts Film Festival.
• The festival has the right to work with any institution for promotion of the celebration.
• If chosen for festival screening, feature length films must provide a clearly labeled BluRay with return envelope and a high resolution digital download or flash drive for back up. Short films must supply an online high resolution digital download or mail in a flash drive.
• We will not return your exhibition copies without an enclosed stamped return labeled envelope.
• If a film is accepted, entrants will be solely responsible for delivering their exhibition video materials to and from the festival venue. A complete press kit and an online link to your film will be needed as soon after notification as possible. The Classical Arts Film Festival cannot be held liable for your exhibition print/video materials which are lost or damaged.
• All submission fees are non-refundable.
LIABILITY
You agree to indemnify us and hold us and our employees, owners, affiliates, and partners harmless from all claims and liability associated with your participation or entry to the Festival.
SCREENINGS & PUBLICATION
By submitting your application you agree that all performance rights are held by the producer of your project and that the Classical Arts Film Festival will in no way be held responsible for any copyright infringement.

14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Tzach

    I was honored to be part of the festival with my film "It's Too Loud".
    My film was the best short and it's really exciting for me.
    Unluckily, I couldn't travel to participate physically, but the communication was great.
    It's important that there is a film festival focusing on classical arts.
    Hoping to reach to the festival with my next one!

    October 2022
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  • Elizabeth Lewis

    Wonderful films and during COVID there was a q and a on zoom. Thank you for including COVID Bach in the program.

    September 2021
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  • Barbara Seiler

    Very good and personal communication, I would definitly recommend this Festival.

    February 2019
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  • Andrew Coll

    I can't recommend this festival enough. Jesse, the festival director, is a fantastic host, and goes above and beyond to make filmmakers feel welcome. Myself and the other filmmakers were provided with free accommodation, and numerous winery tours. Making the trip from Nova Scotia, Canada, I felt so at home, and was delighted when my short film "Duet" won the award for Best Short Film. I hope to be back with another film in the future, and I salute CAFF for filling a very valuable niche in the festival circuit.

    February 2019
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  • Lisa Le Lievre

    I loved everything about this festival which welcomed me with champagne and a string quartet. Jesse and the team were such generous hosts, taking care of everything to make my stay as easy and enjoyable as possible. The wine tour of Jarvis Winery was very special and the whole Napa experience is welcoming. It was a pleasure to meet the other filmmaker who I will definitely be keeping in touch with. Thank you Jesse and Jarvis conservatory, it was an honour to be part of your festival.

    February 2019
    Helpful