The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) celebrates the BEST in film, food, wine and fun.

SIFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts 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.

Named “One of the 25 Coolest Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine in 2016 and 2018, and one of America’s Top Ten Destination Film Festivals by USA Today in 2019, SIFF takes place March 20-24, 2024 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. We continue to grow our 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.

SIFF 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 $750,000 to its signature initiative — the Sonoma Valley High School Media Arts Program started in 2002 — 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, and lively experiences with industry panels, parties, and filmmaker networking opportunities.

Notable festival attendees include: Francis Ford Coppola, Alexander Payne, Robin Williams, Saul Zaentz, Bruce Willis, Michael Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Agnieszka Holland, Fionnula Flanagan, Mary-Louise Parker, Robert Mark Kamen, Demain Bichir, Robert Patrick, Jude Law, Matthew Modine, John Ratzenberger, John Lasseter, Blythe Danner, Jena Malone, Karen Allen, Julia Ormond, Mark Romanek, Danny Glover, Mare Winningham, Christopher Lloyd, Hal Holbrook, Ray Liotta, David Arquette, John Waters, Lauren Hutton, Jacqueline Bisset, Meg Ryan, and Sir Ben Kingsley, among others.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Jury Competitions and Awards:
Best Feature
Best Documentary
Best Short | Live Action
Best Short | Documentary
Best Short | Animation

Audience Awards | Cash Prizes:
Stolman Award—Best Feature ($1,000)
A3 Award—Best Documentary ($1,000)
McNeely Award--Best Short ($1,000)

Rules & Terms

Online Submissions:
Submissions are only accepted through FilmFreeway. Please make sure to include a film screening link (Vimeo preferred) or upload your film to FilmFreeway in order to be considered. We do not accept physical copies of films for consideration.

Upon submission, you acknowledge and agree that your film may screen up to three times at our venues during the festival. Participating films are offered in-person festival benefits including festival passes and hospitality from our guest relations department. We do not pay screening fees.

You will be contacted if your film is selected on or before February 29, 2024.

Good Luck! We're looking forward to seeing your film, and upon acceptance, welcoming you to one of the most unique and filmmaker-friendly festivals on the circuit.

SIFF2024: The best in film, food, wine & fun!
33 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Heroic Impact

    Sonoma International Film Festival is a dream. The city alone is gorgeous and filled with the most amazingly kind people. The entire SIFF team was nothing but warm and welcoming; there was such a strong sense of community here. We couldn’t imagine a better place to have our world premiere of Extremely Unique Dynamic! The countless events and opportunities curated by the staff encouraged meaningful interactions with other filmmakers and industry professionals, giving us the gift of making some lifelong friends. We created so many core memories here that we will cherish forever!

    April 2024
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  • Taylor James

    We had the absolute best time ever at SIFF this year! The films were so beautifully curated (the comedy shorts program was STACKED!) and the carefully thought out events and parties were all so well done and created such a perfect environment for meeting the other filmmakers and getting to network with the all star panelists, jurors and festival folk. Also- the hosting program makes it so much more comfortable for filmmakers to be able to make the trip up without the burden of hotels or airbnbs, and also was yet another way of us getting to integrate more into the community of Sonoma! We cannot wait to come back, with another film or just as patrons! Thank you to all the staff and programmers for their hard work and love and passion they so clearly poured into putting this festival together!

    April 2024
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  • Melissa Peng

    The programming and hospitality directors put so much care into this festival, you could tell the whole team really valued the filmmakers and wanted all of us to succeed. The festival itself was truly a magical week of watching each other's films and getting to know the other filmmakers and festival staff--I've never experienced such effortless networking and community-building. We left Sonoma with new clarity on where to take our film next, and new lifelong friendships. Cannot recommend this festival highly enough.

    April 2024
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  • Toby Cochran

    We are very grateful to the Sonoma International Film Festival for screening LUKi & the Lights! The team had a fantastic experience and the communication from the Sonoma FF crew was outstanding, very professional, and easy to work with. Having the support to arrange accommodations was extremely generous and welcomed. Thank you to the SIFF team for putting on an excellent festival. Can't wait to make another film and submit again :)

    April 2024
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  • Cheryl Hess

    My short doc "Dash, 92, Snowboarder" premiered at Sonoma International Film Festival this year, my second year in the festival. I wasn't able to attend this year but I did attend last year with my previous short "She Got B****!" I had a wonderful time at the festival. The staff are gracious and helpful. The parties are fun and the festival is well-organized. I encourage everyone to submit to this festival and to attend if you can. I will definitely be submitting all of my work to Sonoma and crossing my fingers so I can attend this wonderful festival again.

    March 2024
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