ABOUT THE SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Now in the 26th year, the Sonoma International Film Festival (March 22 – 26, 2023) takes place in the heart of Northern California’s Wine Country and will feature more than 100 filmmakers and distinguished industry guests, including independent features, documentaries, world cinema, and short films. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza. The Festival is dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world and inspiring film lovers.
The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the best in independent film and filmmakers from around the world, inspiring savvy film lovers, and introducing the power of film to student filmmakers.
“Top Ten Destination Film Festivals“
– USA Today
Named “One of the 25 Coolest Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine and one of America’s Top Ten Destination Film Festivals by USA Today, SIFF takes place every March in the United States’ renowned Wine Country, just 45 minutes north of San Francisco.
SIFF is noted for its participation of film and media industry jurists and panelists and continues to grow its reputation in finding and cultivating new talent from around the world, creating a significant platform for networking and distribution opportunities. SIFF programs full-length features and documentaries, as well as short films in the Live Action, Documentary and Animated categories. SIFF also showcases Culinary, Food and Wine films across all categories and presents comedies from around the world in addition to dramas and other genres.
SIFF is committed to the 50/50 gender parity industry initiative, as well as films that cover the gamut of human experience from environmental, LGBTQI+, social justice and other diverse viewpoints.
The five-day festival supports filmmakers with generous cash award prizes and an accommodation program providing the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, community members, and our astute film audience in one of the most intimate, engaging and inspiring settings on the festival circuit.
SIFF has funded more than $725,000 to its signature initiative — the Media Arts Program started in 2002 at Sonoma Valley High School — which introduces students to the process of storytelling and provides resources to further their film education.
In addition to being a festival for and about film and filmmakers, SIFF also showcases the best of the Sonoma Valley region with several high-end culinary and wine events, namely the SIFF | Devour! Chefs & Shorts dinner, featuring celebrity chefs, and our SIFF Backlot Tent experience featuring industry panels, parties, wine and food pairings, and live entertainment.
In light of the unprecedented global situation of 2020, and in the spirit that is #sonomawoodstrong, we launched SIFF 2.0, our first virtual online film festival, which featured 100+ films from 20 countries, and reached an international audience of 30,000 viewers which consumed almost 4,000 hours of media in just four days.
Notable festival attendees include Robin Williams, Bruce Willis, Michael Keaton, Alexander Payne, Susan Sarandon, Robert Patrick, Matthew Modine, John Ratzenberger, John Lasseter, Blythe Danner, Saul Zaentz, Karen Allen, Julia Ormond, Mark Romanek, Danny Glover, Mare Winningham, Christopher Lloyd, Hal Holbrook, Ray Liotta, David Arquette, John Waters, Lauren Hutton, Meg Ryan and Jacqueline Bissett.
