Maude Apatow’s directorial debut, Poetic License, opened the 29th Sonoma International Film Festival, held from March 25 to 29 in California’s renowned wine country. Steven Soderbergh’s film The Christophers, featuring Ian McKellen, was featured as the festival’s centerpiece screening, drawing attention to the event’s impressive curation.
The festival also showcased Julian Schnabel’s new film, In the Hand of Dante, which stars Oscar Isaac. Schnabel himself participated in a special evening event that included a moderated discussion covering his career, his work in visual arts, and filmmaking.
Diverse Film Selection and International Presence
The Sonoma festival presented a broad slate of 104 films from 37 different countries, concluding with Under the Lights. This film, shot locally in Sonoma, tells the story of a teenager with epilepsy who takes a significant risk to attend prom.
Carl Spence, the festival’s artistic director, noted that hosting the event in March offers a unique advantage since it falls between major industry milestones like the Oscars and the Cannes, Venice, and Toronto film festivals.
The beauty of Sonoma is that it’s very freeing; we’re not a festival that requires premieres,
said Spence.
There’s so many films that quite get traction throughout the year — it’s more about finding really great films.
– Carl Spence, Artistic Director
The lineup featured a range of compelling titles such as I Swear, Mile End Kicks, Winter of the Crow, and The Last One for the Road. A special presentation included Alfred Hitchcock’s classic Vertigo accompanied by the documentary Kim Novak’s Vertigo, illuminating the film’s lasting impact on cinema.
Focus on Unique and Challenging Works
Spence described Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante as a divisive film during its Venice Film Festival premiere but praised its artistry.
It’s an amazing cast, really driven by Oscar,
Spence commented. He added,
He films like a painter, and you just have to go with it. I went with it and I thought, it has texture, it transcends time and space, it’s a beautiful film.
The festival included a feature competition showcasing films like Ky Nam Inn by Leon Le, Maspalomas directed by Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, My Tennis Maestro from Andrea di Stefano, Orphan by Oscar-winning filmmaker Lászlo Nemes, Silent Rebellion by Marie-Elsa Sgualdo, The Soundman by Frank Van Passel, Sundays from Alauda Ruiz, and Vainilla by Mayra Hermosillo.
The documentary competition spotlighted noteworthy works such as The Art of Adventure by Alison Reid, Barbara Forever from Brydie O’Connor, The Big Cheese by Sara Joe Wolansky, Fork in the Road directed by Jonathan Nastasi and Vivian Sorenson, Jane Elliott Against the World by Judd Ehrlich, Kim Novak’s Vertigo by Alexandre O. Philippe, Newport and the Great Folk Dream by Robert Gordon, Raoul’s, A New York Story directed by Greg Olliver and Karim Raoul, and State of Firsts by Chase Joynt.
The overriding aim of the competition is to put the spotlight on exceptional films that have been overlooked or deserve a further look. None of them have distribution at the time that we select them for competition; they’re all films that are looking to somehow get traction here in the U.S.,
explained Spence.
Genre and Panel Events Add Depth to the Festival
Sonoma’s SIFF After Dark section drew genre film enthusiasts, presenting titles such as David Mackenzie’s Fuze, Ben Wheatley’s Normal, The Last Viking starring Mad Mikkelsen, and the horror-comedy Over Your Dead Body by Jorma Taccone, featuring Jason Segel and Timothy Olyphant.
The festival also hosted various panel discussions led by film experts. These included topics like
“The Art of Casting: The Craft Behind the New Oscar,”
which explored the influence of casting on the industry’s performances and careers. Other panels focused on impact-centric documentary filmmaking through “The Power of Storytelling,” as well as sessions titled “Film Veterans Tell All” and “Food, Film & the Future.”
Culinary Experiences Highlight Sonoma’s Wine Country Setting
Acknowledging its location in California wine country, the festival incorporated culinary events and films. One highlight was the Moon and the Stars Dinner at Valley Bar + Bottle, featuring selections from Moon Mountain AVA wineries and a seasonal spring menu. Festivities included an opening night celebration at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, a Studio 54 Disco Party at HopMonk, and the Centerpiece Dolce After Dark Party at Buena Vista Winery.
We’re very fortunate to have members of community that support the festival, because it’s hard to make these things work, but there’s some great, important community members to help underwrite it and make it happen,
said Spence, referring to local backing. He also noted the inclusion of Pop-In tastings at the Bar at MacArthur Place, Williams Sonoma, and the Sonoma Cheese Factory.
I’m really proud of the lineup we put together,
Spence reflected.
It really celebrates cinema in many different ways.
Looking Ahead: The Festival’s Role in Film Exposure
By emphasizing films without U.S. distribution and supporting filmmakers across genres and formats, the Sonoma International Film Festival continues to serve as a vital platform for cinema that may otherwise remain underrepresented. With events that combine film, art, community, and local culture, the festival not only enriches audiences but also fosters connections that could lead to future opportunities for emerging and established artists alike.
