Disclosure: I am covering this film festival throughout the week. 
The Sonoma International Film Festival kicks off this Wednesday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 6th. Over 90 films will be showcased in intimate venues around the well known Sonoma Plaza. This film festival focuses on filmmakers from around the world, and what better place for a film festival than within beautiful wine country. This festival films have been selected for the integrity of the storytelling, dedication to the filmmaking craft and always keeping the audience in mind.
Some of the Films being featured at this year’s festival include:
Dom Hemingway: After spending 12 years in prison for keeping his mouth shut, notorious safe-cracker Dom Hemingway is back on the streets of London looking to collect what he’s owed.
This film is being showcased during the film festival’s opening night.
Tasting Menu: A couple makes a reservation for the best restaurant in the world for a year later. When the day arrives, they’re separated and it is the last night the restaurant will be open. None of them will miss the culinary event. Fionnula Flanagan and Steven Rea.
Going Attractions: Once a vibrant part of American culture, nearly 5000 drive-ins once dotted the nation from big cities to small towns, but today less than 400 remain. In a nation that loves cars and movies, why haven’t they survived? By looking at the drive-in, we see the story of changing American culture and family over the last 60 years.
Rio 2: Sunday Morning:
It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they’re hurtled Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets the most fearsome adversary of all: his father-in-law.
Neon Sky: The story of a small traveling carnival struggling to keep their way of life alive as they make their way across the highways and back roads of Northern California. Faced with what lies ahead, Everett, the owner, is determined to keep his caravan of drifters together even though it may be the end of their road.
And many many more to be featured. Coverage will take place throughout the week. Be sure to follow our adventures on Instagram and Twitter.
But with any festival part of the fun are also the parties that go with them. And the Sonoma International Film Festival has great events happening throughout the week:
Wednesday:
Opening Reception: 5:30 to 7:30pm
After Party: Burgers & Vine: 10pm to 12am
Thursday:
9:30 to 12pm: SVHS Media Arts Program
6pm: Vintners, Growers and Groovers
10pm to 12am: After Party: Hopmonk Tavern
Friday:
5:30 to 7:30pm: Latin Fiesta
7 to 10pm: Born in Chicago
In the 1960s icons of urban blues, including Muddy Waters and
Howlin’ Wolf, passed the musical torch to a coterie of unlikely next
generation admirers, among whom were Paul Butterfield, Michael
Bloomfield, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel and
Corky Siegel.
Following the film some of the musicians in the film will perform live.
Saturday:
12 to 5pm: UFO Symposium
Community Center Rm. 110, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476
Screening of the film The Hidden Hand – UFO (1:00pm), followed by a
panel discussion at 2:45 with fellow abductees moderated by Dr.
Charles E. Young, Chancellor Emeritus of Political Science and Public
Policy at UCLA, after which will be a screening of Truth Embargo: The
Anonymous Interview (4:15pm)
7 to 10pm:
Queens & Cowboys LGBT Party – Celebration of namesake film
focusing on being gay in the world of rodeo. Wade Earp (descendant
of Wyatt Earp) will be part of the celebration. This evening is
supported by Out in the Vineyard (promoting positive LGBT lifestyles)
and dot429 (gay/lesbian professional network) of San Francisco.
Festival ambiance with spirited music, wines by Stein Family
Vineyard, the makers of same Sex Marriage wines…get ready to get
down at our hoe down.
Sunday:
8:30 to 10pm: Rewards Ceremony
