Sonoma, CA – The Sonoma International Film Festival brought together a star-studded lineup of luminaries and industry guests for its five-day event in the renowned wine country. Notable attendees included Beau Bridges, John Cameron Mitchell, Scoot McNairy, Susan Feniger, and Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation. This year’s festival showcased over 100 films from 25 countries, featuring premieres, award-winning films, and critically acclaimed works. Attendance and new pass holder numbers reached historic levels, surpassing the previous year’s record.
The festival’s film highlights included the U.S. premiere of Thomas Napper’s “Widow Clicquot,” starring Haley Bennett, as the opening night feature. The centerpiece film was “Wildcat,” directed by Ethan Hawke and starring Maya Hawke. The closing night film, “Dogman,” directed by Luc Besson, featured Caleb Landry Jones. One of the festival’s spotlight films was the world premiere of “Extremely Unique Dynamic,” directed by Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, and Katherine Dudas.
Bay Area premieres included star-studded films such as “Wicked Little Letters” directed by Thea Sharrock, “Ezra” directed by Tony Goldwyn, and “Lousy Carter” directed by Bob Byington. The festival also paid tribute to Beau Bridges, presenting him with the SIFF Lifetime Achievement Award, and chef Susan Feniger, who received the SIFF Culinary Excellence Award.
The grand jury film awards recognized outstanding achievements in narrative features and documentaries. The Best Narrative Feature award went to “Goodbye Julia” by Mohamed Kordofani from Sudan, with a special mention for “Hesitation Wound” by Selman Nacar from Turkey. The Best Documentary Feature award was given to “Invisible Nation” by Vanessa Hope from the USA. The festival also presented awards for the best short films in the categories of live action, documentary, and animation.
In addition to film screenings, the festival included special events and community programs. Notable events included a live episode of “The Film That Blew My Mind” podcast, featuring John Cooper and John Cameron Mitchell, and an industry panel on the future of film with industry experts. The festival also launched the SIFF Food Insecurity Awareness Initiative, encouraging cash donations to support local food banks and restaurant workers.
The Sonoma International Film Festival, a non-profit organization, aims to promote independent films and filmmakers from around the world. It blends film, food, wine, and fun to provide a unique cultural experience for film enthusiasts. The festival’s Media Arts Program supports local students in pursuing their passion for film and provides scholarships for higher education. Sustaining sponsor KHR McNeely Family Fund and official airline Delta Air Lines provide year-round support for the festival.