The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF), celebrating the BEST in film, food, wine and fun, is March 22-26, 2023.
An entirely walkable AND clickable, five-day 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.
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 22-26, 2023 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 shorts programming in Animation, Comedy, Culinary, Documentary, Dramatic and Foreign categories.
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 $725,000 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, 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.
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 and Meg Ryan, among others.
Jury Awards:
Best Feature English Language
Best Feature Foreign Language
Best Documentary
Best Short | Animation
Best Short | Comedy
Best Short | Documentary
Best Short | Drama
Best Short | Foreign
Audience Awards | Cash Prizes:
Stolman Award—Best Feature ($1,000)
A3 Award—Best Documentary ($1,000)