Town Center Corte Madera Preps for Star-Studded MVFF36 Opening Night Bash

One of Corte Madera's two big malls will be transformed into a Hollywood-style gala Thursday night for the star-studded opening night party for the 36th Mill Valley Film Festival.

In kicking off their 11-day festival Thursday night, MVFF organizers are taking over a huge portion of Town Center Corte Madera, which last hosted MVFF's opening night gala in 1986, one year after the mall, built in 1958, underwent a massive renovation. The gala begins at 9 p.m., following screenings of The Book Thief in Corte Madera and Nebraska in Mill Valley.

Stars from both opening night films are expected to be in attendance. The Book Thief stars Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nelisse, along with director Brian Percival, will there, as will Bruce Dern and Will Forte, stars of Alexander Payne's new film, Nebraska. They will also appear at a pre-screening reception at the Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley.

Town Center Manager Stan Hoffman said the party will include a red carpet arrival outside the Wells Fargo Bank on the west side of the center, with the gala heading east past Sur La Table and through the middle of center, past Starbucks and out to the parking lot at the eastern edge of the center.

The event features food from a host of Town Center eateries, including Il Fornaio, Teacake and the Counter, as well as Mill Valley spots like Cantina and Balboa Cafe and San Rafael's Big Jim's BBQ, Champagne Bakery, Judy’s Breadsticks, KIND and Nothing Bundt Cakes. There will also be drinks from Lagunitas Brewing Company and Northern Sonoma wines from Wine Road.

James Henry and the Hands on Fire band will perform with music from DJs Richard Habib and Marija Dunn throughout the night.

The Mill Valley Film Festival is set for Oct. 3-13 in theaters throughout Marin. Check out Patch's MVFF36 coverage at the links below and stay tuned for more.

• Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, Geoffrey Rush, Steve McQueen and Chiwetel Ejiofor Headline Star-Studded 36th Mill Valley Film Festival
• 'Return of the Jedi' to Screen at MVFF Event in Corte Madera
• Watch the Trailer for the 36th Mill Valley Film Festival
• 'In the Cobbler's Shoes' Doc Takes Intimate Look at Inimitable Misak, Makes Debut at MVFF36
• Thomas Dolby to Unveil 'Invisible Lighthouse' Transmedia Show at MVFF36