Titillating the Taste Buds at the 12th Sonoma Film Festival

This past weekend I had the chance to attend one of the more beautiful settings for a film fest. The Sonoma Film Festival offers such a splendid backdrop that makes it difficult to trade it, and the tasty food and delicious wines donated by local restaurants and wineries in for, a darkened environment to watch a slate of films. With exceptions such as the Korean film “Story of Wine” which almost feels tailor made for the festival, the festival’s film selections feels catered towards a local, discerning audience who probably take their movies as seriously as they do about making wine. The friendly and patient audience had a chance to indulge in a selection of local shorts, international features and the highlight of the 12th festival edition was a tribute to Hollywood legend Bruce Willis would have preferred to be honoured as a great “Line Memorizer” rather than accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award with associated terms such as Icon or Legend. Aimee Mann was on hand to chat with Willis in front of a sold out audience.

The festival kicked off with a secret screening of Mark Webber’s 500 Days of Summer before officially launching with a screening of “The Answer Man” (formerly known as Arlen Faber). Starring Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham, John Hindman‘s non cynical film debut attacks celebrity and spirituality in a subtle way without really offending anyone. Over the course of three days in the scenic downtown of Sonoma, several films were shown ranging between romantic drama offerings to political films such as Eran Riklis‘ Lemon Tree and Esteban Schroeder‘s Matar a Todos.

Inventive shorts from (former IONCINEMA.com writer) Justin Ambrosino‘s take on the Kurosawa classic with “The 8th Samurai“, to Rowan Brooks‘ take on Shakespeare and theatre in local comedy “Die Mekaniks” and the hilarious Italian short “Zenzero” meant that there was something for
everyone. Carefully picked by the programmers, the feature films that were featured were some of the better samples from the recent Sundance and Slamdance editions.

Here are the awards, winners and their prizes:

Best Narrative Feature
Karen Kingsbury’s LIKE DANDELION DUST
Schug 2003 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Heritage Reserve Bottle 11 of 12

Best World Feature
NECESSITIES OF LIFE
Magnum of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2001 Behler Reserve Merlot

Best Actor
Ethan Peck in ADOPT A SAILOR
Magnum of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2004 “Old Vines” Zinfandel

Honorable Mention Best Actor
Maxwell Perry Cotton in Karen Kingsbury’s LIKE DANDELION DUST

Best Actress
Mira Sorvino in Karen Kingsbury’s LIKE DANDELION DUST
Magnum of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2004 “Old Vines” Zinfandel

Best Documentary
UNDER OUR SKIN
3L bottle of Moon Mountain Vineyard 2004 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Best Short
NEXT FLOOR
3L Bottle of O’Brien Estate 2006 Seduction Napa Valley Red

Audience Award – Narrative Feature
Karen Kingsbury’s LIKE DANDELION DUST
3L bottle of Kenwood Jack London Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Audience Award – Doc Feature
SPEED AND ANGELS
3L bottle of Kenwood Jack London Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Special Jury Prize Local Short
The D.D.
Magnum of Gundlach Bundschu 2004 Rhine Farm Vineyard Merlot

Special Jury Prize Shorts Category
8TH SUMURAI
3L bottle of Benziger Family Winery 2005 Merlot