Sonoma International FilmFestival Calling
Sonoma International FilmFestival will run March 21 – 25, 2018
October 2, 2017 Earlybird Deadline I December 15, 2017 Regular Deadline I January 2, 2018 Late Deadline I January 29, 2018 Extended Deadline I
Submissions for 2018 Sonoma International FilmFestival (March 21-25, 2018) open on August 1, 2017.
Acceptances will be sent out by email in early February, 2018. Please do not contact office before that date.
Thank you to all of our filmmakers for submitting your creative work to us. We had an unprecedented number of great films in 2017 and look forward to seeing all the submissions for the upcoming 21st SIFF.
Sonoma International Film Festival endeavors to celebrate the best in independent and international features, documentaries, and short films. In Sonoma, it is all about the filmmakers.
Sonoma International Film Festival's blog I Website www.sonomafilmfest.org I Facebook I Twitter I SUBMIT I Past Winners I Contact Kevin W. McNeely I 707-933-2600 I 103 E. Napa St. Suite A Sonoma, California 95476 United States
The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is presented by the Sonoma Film Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, as a welcoming, entertaining and inspiring cinematic experience that supports and promotes independent films, celebrates the cultural diversity in the Sonoma Valley through film, and funds visual arts in education.
5 days, 100+ Films, 1 Unforgettable, Magical Environment ~ Sonoma!
"2017" - 200+ Filmmakers - 26 countries - 120 films
Named one of America's "Top Ten Destination Film Festivals," Sonoma prides itself on giving every filmmaker the royal treatment. Celebrated as one of the friendliest and most uplifting festivals on the circuit.
The Festival takes place March 21 - 25, 2018 in the heart of America's world-renowned wine country, Sonoma Valley, California, just 45 minutes north of San Francisco. At the Sonoma International Film Festival, we value the filmmakers as much as our industry leaders and celebrities. All are treated to our unique accommodations program and have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and audience members in one of the most intimate, relaxed and inspiring settings in the festival circuit. Great networking opportunities with industry professionals have lead to distribution.
High profile actors and celebrities have included Bruce Willis, Michael Keaton, Robert Patrick, Matthew Modine, John Ratzenberger, John Lasseter, Blythe Danner, Saul Zaentz, Alexander Payne, Mark Romanek, Danny Glover, Mare Winningham, Christopher Lloyd, Hal Holbrook, Ray Liotta and, David Arquette.
In the past, 1 in 10 films that were submitted to us through were selected for our Festival, making Sonoma an unusually accessible forum for participating filmmakers. Films are shown at least twice to engaged, film-savvy audiences representing a broad range of ages and tastes. 2018 films are open to Jury competition and winners will be given cash awards. SIFF welcomes a stellar array of panelists, media, and industry guests, all very accessible to our talented filmmakers and rising talents.
The 2018 Film Festival will feature the finest films from all countries and continue to show case films that run the gamut from World Cinema to our local high school student program. SIFF continues to grow its reputation in screening powerful films that also focus on social causes, LGBT issues, design and the environment. Many films have gone from early screenings at SIFF to significant success and distribution. We look forward to screening your films and upon acceptance, welcoming you to a unique film festival located in the wine country known for being a launch pad for independent filmmakers.
Awards & Prizes
Jury Awards:
Best American Independent Feature
Best World Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Audience Awards (Cash prize of $1,000 for each):
A3 Award - Best Documentary
Cash Award Value: 1,000 U.S. Dollar
Stolman Award - Feature
Favorite feature film (either live-action or animated) as voted by the Festival Audience.
Cash Award Value: 1,000 U.S. Dollar
SIFF Audience Award: Best World Feature
Cash Award Value: 1,000 U.S. Dollar
Rules & Terms
Online submissions are accepted through FilmFreeway.
All submissions arriving via mail post must be in DVD region 1 or 0 format NTSC.
Submissions will NOT be returned. Please use appropriate packaging to prevent DVD damage.
Please be sure to write the FilmFreeway Tracking # and Film Title on the disc itself in case the disc becomes separated from its box.
For international submissions (outside U.S.) - filmmakers MUST write on the package, "NO commercial value - for cultural purposes only."
SIFF is NOT responsible for the customs fee and other charges.
Good Luck, we're looking forward to seeing your film, and upon acceptance, welcoming you to one of our country's most unique and filmmaker friendly festivals where we celebrate the very best in film, food & wine!
Program decisions will be made mid-February, 2018 or sooner.
