Sonoma International Film Festival Concludes 29th Edition Blending World-Class Cinema and Culinary Excellence

Sonoma, CA - March 29, 2026  — The 2026 Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF), March 25–29, concluded a dazzling, record-setting edition that once again transformed Sonoma into a premier destination for film, food, wine, and discovery. Over five immersive days, SIFF presented 104 films from 37 countries—including premieres—while welcoming an exceptional mix of filmmakers, celebrated artists, and top culinary talent. The program featured 41 narrative features, 16 documentaries, and 47 short films, creating a rich, global cinematic experience unlike any other. “This year’s record-breaking attendance and ticket sales underscore the extraordinary appetite for bold, international cinema and immersive cultural experiences here in Sonoma,” said SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. “With packed screenings, dynamic filmmaker engagement, and a festival atmosphere unlike any other, SIFF 2026 has truly been a landmark community celebration of film, food, wine, and fun.”

The festival opened with the California Premiere of Poetic License, directed by Maude Apatow. The Centerpiece Film is The Christophers, directed by Oscar-winning Steven Soderbergh and starring Ian McKellen, and the festival is Closing with the film, Under the Lights. The festival featured an evening with Julian Schnabel, honoring him with the Sonoma International Film Festival Visionary Artist Award, and a screening of his film In the Hand of Dante with special guest Tom Waits attending. Alongside these marquee screenings, SIFF audiences experienced an array of premieres, including the US Premiere of Winter of the Crow, the World Premiere of Fork in the Road, special screenings of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, and a 4K restoration of John Woo’s The Killer.

Beyond the screen, aspiring filmmakers gained invaluable insights from industry panels and conversations with the Academy’s newest category and the evolving role of casting in shaping performances and careers including director/writers Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Lulu Wang (The Farewell), and casting directors Kerry Barden and David Ruben in “The Art of Casting: The Craft Behind the New Oscar”, industry veterans at the Film Veterans Tell All panel, and learned “The Power of Storytelling” from documentary filmmakers.

GRAND JURY FILM AWARDS

Grand Jury Award | Best Narrative Feature

Maspalomas (Jose Mari Goenaga, Aitor Arregi | Spain)

Jury Statement from the Narrative Feature Grand Jury: Gregory Ellwood (The Playlist), Max Geschwind (CAA), and Kirsten Schaffer (Women in Film).

“For an authentic and rare depiction of an elder man confronting personal and physical crisis at the onset of the COVID pandemic, we award the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature to Aitor Arregi and Jose Mari Goenaga for the nuanced and moving queer drama Maspalomas.”

Special Jury Prize for Directing 

Silent Rebellion (Marie-Elsa Sgualdo | Switzerland )

“For its unflinching portrayal of a virtuous teen in WWII-era Europe, we are awarding a Special Jury Prize for Directing to Marie-Elsa Sgualdo for her excellence in crafting intimate storytelling and grounded performances in Silent Rebellion.” 

Narrative Competition Films:

Ky Nam Inn (Vietnam) Directed by: Leon Le, Maspalomas (Spain)  Directed by: Jose Mari Goenaga, Aitor Arregi, My Tennis Maestro (Italy)  Directed by: Andrea di Stefano, Orphan (Hungary)  Directed by: Lászlo Nemes, Silent Rebellion (Switzerland)  Directed by: Marie-Elsa Sgualdo, The Soundman (Belgium)  Directed by: Frank Van Passel, Sundays (Spain)  Directed by: Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, and Vainilla (Mexico)  Directed by: Mayra Hermosillo

Grand Jury Award | Best Documentary Feature

State of Firsts  (Chase Joynt | USA)

Jury Statement from the Documentary Feature Grand Jury: Jo Addy (SoHo House), Nick Price (Reel South), and Ania Trzebiatowska (Sundance).

“This year, the jury wants to recognize a film that represents what authentic truth looks like among the squalor of our politics. The award-winning film is a nuanced portrait of leadership and responsibility that also provides a clear and honest account of the challenges and apparent harms that come from seeking to change the world. The language of change is complex, and sometimes it’s as simple as using the right name. The jury is honored to platform a story that showcases the wholeness of a person in an industry and society so quick to tokenize. The Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Sonoma International Film Festival this year goes to Chase Joynt for State of Firsts.”

Documentary Feature Competition Films:

The Art of Adventure (Canada)  Directed by: Alison Reid, Barbara Forever (USA)  Directed by: Brydie O’Connor, The Big Cheese (USA)  Directed by: Sara Joe Wolansky, Fork in the Road (USA)  Directed by: Jonathan Nastasi, Vivian Sorenson, Jane Elliott Against the World (USA)  Directed by: Judd Ehrlich, Kim Novak´s Vertigo (USA)  Directed by: Alexandre O. Philippe, Newport and the Great Folk Dream (USA)  Directed by: Robert Gordon, and Raoul's, A New York Story (USA)  Directed by: Greg Olliver, Karim Raoul, State of Firsts (USA)  Directed by: Chase Joynt

Grand Jury Award | Short Films and Jury Statements

All 47 Official Selection short films competed for the 3 Grand Jury Short Awards.

The Short Film Grand Jury included Erik Anderson (Awards Watch), Kerry Barden (Casting Director), and Schuyler Fisk (Artist).

Grand Jury Award: Live Action Short

A Very Normal Seeming Man (Director Al Pattanashetty | USA)

“As funny as it is heartwarming and creative, this meta father/son comedy is a wonderful representation of familial support while navigating personal and career uncertainty.”

Grand Jury Award: Documentary Short

Voices from the Abyss (Director Irving Serrano and Victor Rejon | Mexico)

“Through stunning editing and black and white cinematography, the dangerous lives of cliff divers, old and young, and what keeps them coming back, opened our eyes to a world we’d never seen and wanted to explore more of.”

Grand Jury Award: Animated Short

Two Black Boys in Paradise (Director Baz Sells | UK)

“For its depiction of the evolution of humanity and innocence corrupted by society, the film shows the life of boys becoming men in the face of the darkest levels of adversity with poetic beauty.”

Special Mention for Cultural, Environmental and Community Impact:

Abalone Stories: Loss, Connection, Renewal (USA, Dir. Cynthia Abbott)

Special Jury Mention for Directing:

Domingo Familiar (Directed by Gerardo del Razo | Mexico)

SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AUDIENCE FILM AWARDS

The Stolman Audience Award for Best Film

THE CHRISTOPHERS (United Kingdom)  Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

1st Runner-up: You Found Me (France)  Directed by: Alice Vial
2nd Runner-up: Primavera (Italy)  Directed by: Damiano Michieletto
3rd Runner-up: Colors Of Time (France)  Directed by: Cedric Klapisch
4th Runner-up: I Swear (United Kingdom)  Directed by: Kirk Jones

The A3 Audience Award for Best Documentary

Jane Elliott Against the World (USA)  Directed by: Judd Ehrlich

1st Runner-up: The Six Billion Dollar Man (USA)  Directed by: Eugene Jarecki
2nd Runner-up: The Art of Adventure (Canada)  Directed by: Alison Reid
3rd Runner-up: The Balloonists (USA)  Directed by: John Dower
4th Runner-up: Raoul's, A New York Story (USA)  Directed by: Greg Olliver, Karim Raoul

The McNeely Award for Best Short Film

Abalone Stories: Loss, Connection, Renewal (USA)  Directed by: Cynthia Abbott

1st Runner-up: Sense of Emergency (USA)  Directed by: Madeline Down
2nd Runner-up: Sauna Sickness (Sweden)  Directed by: Malin Barr
3rd Runner-up: Check Please (USA)  Directed by: Shane Chung
4th Runner-up: Last Days on Lake Trinity (USA)  Directed by: Charlotte Cooley

View the complete line-up with press materials, images, and film descriptions >

Watch the festival trailer >

                                                                                                  Maspalomas Photo credit: Jose Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi.

Programming Team

The five-day festival is curated by Artistic Director Carl Spence, along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson, and shorts programmer Oscar Arce Naranjo.

About Sonoma International Film Festival

The Sonoma International Film Festival is a 501(c)3 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. Blending a program of international film, food, wine, and fun, SIFF hosts its annual festival each March, as well as year-round events and special screenings. Ginny Krieger is the Executive Director, Carl Spence is the Artistic Director, and Dr. Kevin W. McNeely is the Director Emeritus.

SIFF’s signature initiative--the Media Arts Program started at Sonoma Valley High School in 2002--introduces students to film by providing ongoing support so they may explore their creative pursuits. SIFF has given more than $800,000 in resources to the program since its inception, with hundreds of students graduating through the program to date, in addition to providing college scholarships annually to deserving students.

Support for SIFF

The Sonoma International Film Festival is supported year-round by:

Sustaining Sponsor: KHR McNeely Family Foundation

Official Airline: Delta Air Lines

Producing Sponsor:  K3 Innovation: Partnering with schools to achieve reading proficiency for all students through the K-3 Proficiency Project. Learn more at: k3innovation.org

Web Experience Partner: Ingeniux (www.ingeniux.com)

Box Office Host: Pets Lifeline

SIFF 2026 Festival Premiere Sponsors include Gloria Ferrer Winery and Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery