Vanessa McMahon

FILM & Wine from Sonoma, CA to the Atipodes.

When it comes to film festivals there are now thousands today, as if it is the goal of every city or town in the world to have one in order to slap a cultural stamp on its identity. While almost every city in the world now boasts its own film festival (and some cities have multiple) few cater to both cinema and wine together. Let’s face it, the worlds of film and wine are not that different- both require passion and art, a lot of patience to produce, heaps of people, a high monetary investment, markets, festivals, buyers, sellers and a consuming public. So, if the worlds of film and wine are so similar and seemingly go well together, then why are there so few of them in a world of thousands of film festivals?

I recently attended the 16th edition of the Sonoma International Film Festival. Run by a sizeable (and growing) team of industry professionals, Executive Director Kevin W. McNeely’s intent was for this year’s SIFF to take on new heights on the festival scene, to outdo itself and truly shine. And did it ever! As an avid festival-goer, I have film festival hopped the world over and the Sonoma International Film Festival truly left a lasting impression. Everything from welcoming its guests to the endless hospitality of its attendees, from the screening of over 100 films to ongoing events held day and night, and from the epicurean food to an ever flowing of local wines, SIFF leaves a bouquet on the visitor's palate that is sure to endure.

The festival opened with a screening of ‘The Iceman” (2012) at the Sebastiani Theater with the attendance of director Ariel Vroman and actor Ray Liotta. Golden Globe-winner actress Mary-Louise Parker also attended the festival to accept the Sonoma Spotlight Award, along with actor Demian Bichir. SIFF ran from Wednesday April 10 to Sunday April 14th and screened over 100 films with seven premiers. Along with the impressive variety of choice cinema, gastronomic specialty foods were served along with top quality regional wines day and night throughout the festival.

Kevin W. McNeely’s said: “This year’s program features films that will transport audiences all over the world from Russia to Italy, Venezuela to Nepal, Iran to Iceland, and more, with such themes as Music & Arts, Environmental, LGBT, Sports & Action, Spanish-language Vamos al Cine and, of course, Food & Wine.”

Of course a ‘kino-vino’ festival would not be complete without films about wine, which there were multiple, including: 'Lo Zucco: The Wine of the Son of the King of the French' (a U.S. Premiere from Italy), 'A Year in Burgundy' (France in 2011); 'Spinning Plates' (2012), and ‘Tu Seras Mon Fills’ (You Will Be My Son’, 2011)

For more information, please visit http://www.sonomafilmfest.org

Visit Sonoma Film Festival blog here: http://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/sonoma_international_film_festival

Although it will be one year until the 17th Sonoma International Film Festival, don’t miss these other film and wine festivals in the meantime:

There’s the Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival in Slovenia celebrating horror and fantasy films with local wines; the Wine Country Film Festival in Santa Rosa California celebrating cinema and California wine country wines; and the Napa Valley Film Festival.

Look out for Sonoma’s doppelganger festival taking place in the antipodes- CinefestOZ- Australia’s up and coming kino-vino film festival specializing in French and Australian cinema and fine local wines from the Margaret River region. This is a young festival but something like a little sister to Sonoma in the small town of Busselton, Australia. While Sonoma is older and more experienced, CinefestOZ is young and learning to get on its feet with each year. Both are similar in that they have more to offer than just fabulous films- add acres of amazing vineyards, some of their nation’s finest wines and stunning scenery with miles of pristine beaches in the vicinity.

-Written by Vanessa McMahon