COFFEE TALKS & COCKTAIL TALKS WITH INSPIRING VISIONARIES

These Talks are a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with talent.  These intimate, moderated conversations with change makers in cinema illuminate the creative process and personal journeys of artists who inspire.
 

PRESENTED BY

2025

Join US for
Coffee Talks & cocktail talks

Our Coffee Talks are a unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with industry insiders, Festival honorees and special guests. Coffee is provided by Ulu Coffee.

 

Cocktail Talks offer the same intimate conversation, just later in the day!  Join us

 

These events are free and open to the public. Passholders receive priority access. 

COFFEE TALKS

GUS VAN SANT

Friday, December 5
10am at the Argyros

 

Sit down with Vision Honoree and Dead Man’s Wire director Gus Van Sant. An auteur whose work has profoundly influenced contemporary cinema, Van Sant’s acclaimed filmography includes Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, To Die For, Elephant, and Good Will Hunting, which was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards. Join us for an intimate discussion of his life and career.

Photo credit: Patrick Pendergast

COCKTAIL TALKS

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Saturday, December 6
8PM  at the Argyros

Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian-born American actor, former professional bodybuilder, and politician who became one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars joins us for an intimate conversation. Rising to fame as a seven-time Mr. Olympia champion, he transitioned seamlessly into film with iconic roles in The Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, and True Lies, becoming one of the most successful actors of the 1980s and 90s. Beyond entertainment, he served as California’s 38th Governor from 2003 to 2011. He and his family own a home in Sun Valley and have maintained deep ties to the area.

Photo credit: Netflix

COFFEE TALKS

CLINT BENTLEY

DISRUPTOR AWARD Presented by DEADLINE

GREG KWEDAR

DISRUPTOR AWARD Presented by DEADLINE

Sunday, December 7
10am at the Argyros

 

Join us for a conversation with Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, the team behind the Sundance hit Jockey, Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated Sing Sing, and Train Dreams, adapted from the Pulitzer Prize finalist novella by Denis Johnson and starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy and Kerry Condon. Co-written by Bentley and Kwedar, and directed by Bentley, the film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar will receive the Disruptor Award presented by Deadline, recognizing creative talent who are shaping the industry with innovative and impactful work. 

Photo credit: Greg Kwedar, Norman Wong

Customers Reviews

What people say?

At the festival I can tell people love filmmaking in every aspect – writing, acting, cinematography, and producing. So I’m really excited to be here and meet people who are just as excited about the process as I am.

Yahya Adbul Mateen II

Sun Valley’s intimate size snuffs egos and allows personalities, connections, and the zeal for filmmaking to flourish everywhere from get-togethers in cozy cafe’s to the lofty lifts of Bald Mountain.

Flaunt magazine

It’s wonderfully intimate and remains very high end in both the quality of films presented and the festival itself. Sun Valley has kept its integrity…the magic dust.

kate bosworth

There is an incredible creative energy at SVFF that I look forward to every year! The films, festivities, and people are amazing. I can’t wait to be there!

Austin von Johnson

Gallery

Previous
Honorees

Best Narrative Film

winner

Linoleum, Directed by Colin West

Best documentary feature Film

winner

Mama Bears, Directed by Daresha Kyi

Audience Award

winner

We Feed People, Directed by Ron Howard

The gem state award

The best short film made in Idaho. The films in the Idaho Shorts program are eligible for this award.

winner

Meridian, Directed by  Aidan Brezonick

one in a million - narrative award

winner

Karmalink, Directed by Jake Wachtel

one in a million - documentary award

winner

Sirens, Directed by Rita Baghdadi

The svshorty award

The best short film across all categories. All shorts are eligible for this award.

winner

Meridian, Directed by  Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck & Robert Machoian

hot shot award

The Future Filmmakers Forum (FFF) showcases student-made films and encourages students in their craft, storytelling, and self-expression. The Future Filmmakers Forum is made possible by the Nordstrom Brothers and an annual generous gift from the Steen Family Foundation.

winner

The First 280 Words of My Life, Directed by Ella JAnes