FILM FESTIVAL VETERAN CARL SPENCE NAMED SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SIFF) ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Sonoma, CA July 26, 2022—SIFF SUMMERFEST, Sonoma International Film Festival’s engaging indoor and outdoor mini version of its larger annual March festival, starts Thursday, August 4 through Saturday, August 6. Ten new films will be showcased, including four films making their premieres, capped by SIFF Screen & Cuisine, the arts organization signature film, food, wine and fun event which will screen LOVE, CHARLIE: THE RISE AND FALL OF CHEF CHARLIE TROTTER with filmmaker Rebecca Halpern in attendance and a five- course meal prepared by noted Bay Area chefs.
In organizational news, Sonoma International Film Festival has tapped film festival professional Carl Spence as its new Artistic Director, assuming the role from Kevin W. McNeely, who will transition to Director Emeritus. Spence assumes the role August 1, 2022.
“There are so many great things going on with SIFF,” said McNeely. “Summerfest is back with outdoor evening winery screening events, day time Sebastiani Theatre screenings, and our SIFF Screen & Cuisine event at Hanna featuring celebrity chefs and the new documentary on his life. Also, I am so excited to have Carl Spence join the SIFF team as our Artistic Director. His past festival experiences, coupled with his industry contacts, promises to take SIFF to a new level.”
“The enthusiasm and passion of Kevin McNeely and Co-Director Ginny Krieger, along with the entire festival team, was infectious and reminded me of the early days of my festival film career,” said Spence. “I look forward to joining the team and continuing the tradition of making SIFF the place everyone wants to be with extraordinary films, food, wine and yes, even more fun.” See separate SIFF Business release attached.
SIFF SUMMERFEST Event Details:
Thursday, August 4 | 6 PM at Chateau St. Jean (8555 Sonoma Highway Kenwood, CA):
SXSW Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award Winner I LOVE MY DAD starring Patton Oswald.
An entertaining, heartfelt and charming father-son comedy feature is inspired by writer/director/star James Morosini’s true life experience. Oswalt stars as Chuck, an estranged father who desperately wants to reconnect with his son, Franklin, played by Morosini. Chuck impersonates a waitress online and starts checking in with Franklin. But things begin to spiral when Franklin falls for this imaginary girl and wants to meet her in person.
The outdoor screening includes Chateau St. Jean wines and Tips Roadside food truck menu items available for sale. Musician John Burdick provides entertainment before the film. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at
https://summerfest2022.eventive.org/schedule/62a9e9c6e5478d03281e8641. This event is included as a benefit for SIFF Summerfest Patron passholders.
Friday, August 5 | Multiple Screenings at Sebastiani Theatre (476 1 st Street East, Sonoma, CA):
9:30 AM Director Joel Gershon’s documentary film CIRQUE DU CAMBODIA follows the journey of two youths who live out every child’s fantasy – to run away and the join the circus. But not just any circus…they dream of taking the stage with Cirque de Soleil, the largest theatrical company in the world. Their home, a poor village in the ancient, faraway Kingdom of Cambodia, makes their quest even more extraordinary. The film is sponsored by Armar A. Archbold.
12 PM EASTBOUND | WESTBOUND A WINEMAKER’S STORY makes its World Premiere at SIFF Summerfest From director Julien Couson, the documentary details how a Franco-American friendship started around Bordeaux wines in the 18th century with the greatest connoisseur of fine wines and lover of Bordeaux, the American Thomas Jefferson, U.S. Ambassador to Paris and third President of the United States.
2 PM Learn the remarkable story of how a cartoon mouse became one the world’s most beloved icons and how for nearly a century, Mickey’s evolution has mirrored us all in filmmaker Jeff Malmberg’s MICKEY THE STORY OF A MOUSE.
4:30 PM Based on a true story, BREAKING, from director Abi Damaris Corbin, stars John Boyega, Nicole Beharie, Michael Kenneth Williams and Connie Britton. When Marine veteran Brian Brown-Easley is denied support from Veterans Affairs, he takes a bank and several of its employees’ hostage, setting the stage for a tense confrontation with the police.
Friday, August 5 | 6 PM at Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery (389 4 th Street East, Sonoma, CA):
The Northern California Premiere of feature film THE GRAND BOLERO, by filmmaker Gabriele Fabbro, follows Roxanne, a cynical middle-aged pipe organ cleaner as she struggles to control her impulsive attraction to her new 20-year-old mute female assistant. Fabbro will be in attendance.
The outdoor screening includes Sebastiani Vineyards wines and Difilippo pizza oven menu items available for sale. Musician Adam Traum provides entertainment before the film. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at
https://summerfest2022.eventive.org/films/62adca19bb13e3008721eb8a. This event is included as a benefit for SIFF Summerfest Patron passholders.
Saturday, August 6 | Multiple Screenings at Sebastiani Theatre (476 1 st Street East, Sonoma, CA):
9:30 AM Calling all wine enthusiasts for a sensory tour of all corners of the wine world, told by those who live by and with it. Sommeliers, chefs and microbiologists share their passion along the way in Danish filmmaker Rasmus Dinesen’s TERRIOR TO TABLE. The film is sponsored by Armar A. Archbold.
12 PM The World Premiere of ROGUE AGENT from filmmakers Adam Patterson and Declan Lawn, tells the extraordinary and chilling tale of career conman Robert Freegard (James Norton) and Alice Archer (Gemma Arterton), the woman who brought him down.
3 PM The West Coast Premiere of THE GOOD HOUSE stars Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. When New England realtor Hildy Good tries to do business with her old high school flame, their rekindled romance ignites long-buried emotions and family secrets that propel Hildy toward a reckoning with the one person she’s been avoiding for decades: herself. From directors Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, the film is based on the best-selling novel by Ann Leary.
Saturday, August 6 | 6 PM at Hanna Boys Center (17000 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA):
SIFF Screen & Cuisine
A reception featuring cocktails, a tequila tasting and live music from the Carlos Herrera Trio, followed by a five- course dinner, with wine pairings, and the screening of LOVE, CHARLIE: THE RISE AND FALL OF CHEF CHARLIE TROTTER by director Rebecca Halpern making her full-length documentary debut. Halpern will be in attendance.
About The Screen & Cuisine Film:
In the 2000s, chef Charlie Trotter was the toast of Chicago, his eponymous restaurant one of the world’s top fine-dining destinations. A gastronomic revolutionary and a culinary bad-boy, Trotter paved the way for the likes of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay, yet his tempestuous, competitive nature alienated many. With never- before-seen archival material and new interviews with those who loved and loathed Trotter—who died from a stroke in 2013 at age 54—this absorbing, unvarnished profile chronicles the passions of a master chef and the consequences of pursuing perfection at all costs.
About The Screen & Cuisine Reception and Dinner:
SIFF’s signature culinary event during SUMMERFEST features courses from noted chefs, many who knew or worked with Trotter, including: Domenica Catelli (Catelli’s), Jonathan McCloud (Kuleto’s), Robert Nieto (Fleur Savauge), Justin Wangler (Kendall Jackson) and Ensan Wong (Cogir).
The reception features cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, with mixers from Sonoma Syrup Company, and a tequila tasting showcasing 123 Tequila, El Luchador Tequila and Mezcal Craneo. Jackson Family Wines’ catalog -- Arrowood, Centr, Copain Wines, Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Matanzas Creek Winery and Stonestreet Estate Vineyards – will be paired with the courses. Farm Fresh To You, Laura Chenel and Sophienwald are providing provisions for the reception and dinner.
SIFF Summerfest Sponsors:
This event is made possible in part thanks to year-round Sustaining Sponsors Avelo Airlines, Manitou Fund and Shiftboard. Premiere event sponsors are Avelo Airlines, Cogir Senior Living and the Sonoma Valley Authors Festival. Star events sponsors include Armar A. Archbold, Northern California Public Media, Pets Lifeline and Wine Country Radio. Venue partners are Chateau St. Jean Winery, Sebastiani Theatre, Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery and Hanna Boys Center. More than 100 donors, supporters, hospitality, media and government partners support SIFF Summerfest. The full list of SIFF sponsors can be seen at
https://sonomafilmfest.org/sponsorship/#our-sponsors.
About Sonoma International Film Festival
The Sonoma International Film Festival is a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world, and inspiring film lovers. Blending a program of international film, food, wine and fun, SIFF hosts its annual festival each March, as well as special events including SIFF Summerfest, and selected films, advance screenings and special guests year-round.
SIFF’s signature initiative--the Media Arts Program started at Sonoma Valley High School in 2002--introduces students to the process of storytelling and provides the resources for them to create films. SIFF has granted more than $725,000 to the program since its inception.
Facebook @SonomaFilmFestival | Twitter @SonomaFilmFest | Instagram @SonomaFilmFest | Web: sonomafilmfest.org
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