iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
See the world with Sonoma International Film Festival’s (SIFF) from the comfort and safety of your own home.
The SIFF started July 30 to August 2, is celebrating its 23rd year and this year it has taken the avatar of SIFF 2.0 Virtual Film Festival.
The online showcase offers the best in new independent cinema from around the world with a robust lineup of 110 features, documentaries and short films that includes a selection of World, North American, US and Northern California premieres from 20 countries.
Representing India the festival has brought in “Chumbak”, a short film as part of the foreign short films.
Directed by Isabelle van Hoorn, Tobias Edward Theodore Worrall, the 18 minute film is about a girl who is on the verge of losing hope of ever returning home, a young heartbroken girl finds an unorthodox way to make an income; but when she finds out her father is about to go flat-broke she must make ends meet before their fate is sealed in the city.
“We took the opportunity in these unprecedented times to take SIFF’s particular brand of entertainment and community engagement and make it available online,” said Sonoma International Film Festival Executive Director Kevin W. McNeely. “Our first all virtual festival allows passholders and film lovers to experience many more films than they would in person whenever they want without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.”
As part of its selection for the 23rd edition, SIFF has included a rich selection of international films by award-winning auteurs, many of whom have represented their respective countries at the Oscars, including: AgustÌ Villaronga (BORN A KING- UK/Spain), Espen Sandberg (AMUNDSEN – Norway/ Sweden/ Czech Republic), Samir (BAGHDAD IN MY SHADOW – Switzerland/ UK/ Germany), Pietro Marcello (MARTIN EDEN – Italy), Mika Kaurismaki (MASTER CHENG – Finland/UK/China), Vladimir Khotinenko (THE LENIN FACTOR – Russia) and Rodrigo Bellott (TU ME MANQUES – Bolivia, a LGBTQI+ themed film).
The SIFF supported Sonoma Valley High School Media Arts Program, highlighting the best in student filmmaking, will be available to screen during the SIFF 2.0 Virtual festival.
The SIFF|Devour! Chefs & Shorts Dinner, SIFF|Screen & Cuisine Lunch, SIFF Sip Trips and the annual UFO Symposium have been postponed until further notice in accordance with the current Covid-19 pandemic.
SIFF 2.0 also met its commitment to the 50/50 gender parity by 2020 film industry pledge by programming a rich selection of female-driven films that highlight women both in front of and behind the camera.
The full Virtual Film Festival lineup is available at sonomafilmfestival.org. The best way to experience the festival, and have access to all films, is through a SIFF pass. The new SIFF Virtual Film Festival Pass is only $75 and provides online access to the virtual film catalog during the four-day, film-filled event.
Give Netflix a break for the next month, and join enjoy some of the finest films from around the world. Celebrating 23 years and named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals, don’t miss all that SIFF 2.0 has to offer film aficionados and cinema buffs.
