It was just a few weeks ago when the Sonoma International Film Festival came to town (March 30-April 3, 2016), overtaking the beautiful Sonoma Plaza grounds. Filmmakers, Screen Writers, Producers, and Film Lovers convened over Sonoma for 5 days in a row taking in all things FILM.
The First Indication for all those coming to the Sonoma Plaza that the Film Festival has come to town. The SonomaWood Sign that stays on the Sonoma Plaza the entire weekend of the film festival.
In its 19th year, the Sonoma International Film Festival continues to grow, but more importantly, really showcases the talent found across the world in their film selections. This year showcased this in a pretty profound way as film lovers discussed some of their favorites throughout the weekend with one another.
The stories really touched the audiences, the energy surrounding the film festival was felt across the Plaza grounds, and in lines during the film screenings, and of course, throughout the backlot tent, and during the evenings parties.
In between films, those in attendance, could stop into a Wine Tasting Room, Have a Great Dining Experience, or get creative by all that was happening around them throughout the Sonoma Plaza.
In its 19th Year, the film festival added in the SIFF Village, further north of the Sonoma Plaza, and next to the Veteran’s Memorial Hall where 2 of the screening rooms were held. The SIFF Village included a separate entertainment venue: The Le Tigre tent, that would bring in live performances and film screenings throughout the 5 days. The SIFF Village was also home to some food trucks from Peets Coffee to the TriTip Trolley, and of course, the backlot tent, which hosted happy hour from 3-6 every day (showcasing some of Sonoma’s finest wines and food purveyors), and of course the coveted Film Festival Parties every evening.
Some highlights at this year’s festival included:
Opening Night Ceremonies. The festival had to add in a second screening venue just for the opening night film.
Thursday Afternoon, excitement was felt all across the festival, as Meg Ryan, made an appearance with her first directional debut in her film, “Ithaca.” So popular, by many, that not everyone was able to view the film.
During the weekend, many workshops took place for ScreenWriters, to Optimizing Distribution, to discussions surrounding the Film Festival Circuit.
Celebrity Cruises, one of the festivals sponsors, offered up a pretty incredibly experience at this year’s festival with their “Taste of Film” series. They screened the film, “Cooking Up a Tribute” while offering up a 7 course meal during the screening to showcase the exact experience they offer on some of their Celebrity Cruises.
Inside the Backlot Tent, Saturday, April 2 Photo Credit: Kingsley Hurley
The 19th year was a complete success, and continues to get better year after year. There were some truly incredible films this year that the audience truly loved. The films truly left a lasting impression.
For those that love a good film festival, there’s a need to put the Sonoma International Film Festival on your list. Not only in seeing how this beautiful, small town, comes together, as a community, but also, in how the film world comes together, in supporting each other in film. Put it on your calendars for next year: March 29-April 2, 2017.
