The Sonoma International Film Festival opens April 15 at the Sebastiani Theatre with the world premiere of “Coals to Newcastle”, a documentary on one of the British music scenes cutting-edge funk bands, the New Mastersounds. Closing the 13th annual festival on April 18 is a twisted take on suburbia starring Demi Moore and David Duchovny.
In all the festival is scheduled to screen over 65 films, including features, documentaries and shorts, all in four locations within walking distance of the Sonoma Plaza.
Documentaries have become one of the festival’s specialties, having previously shown the groundbreaking Food Inc. and this year’s Academy Award winner, The Cove. This year the buzz is about “The Singularity Is Near,” by Raymond Kurzweil, called one of the most creative scientific minds of the past 50 years. The film, in its first-ever public showing, examines the near future, in which artificial intelligence transcends biology and genetics to create an entirely new world.
Kurzweil will be on hand to lead a panel discussion after the April 16 screening. Other panels include “From Script to Screen,” a lively discussion by experts on all aspects of filmmaking. Also on Saturday, April 17, is the popular “Pitch Panel.” There will also be a panel with the student filmmaker showcase and, sponsored by Dolby Labs, the awarding of an internship to the most promising film student.
Other highlights include the Sundance Festival hit, “Douchebag,” a low budget feature, as original as it is hilarious and the Canadian film “Smoke and Ashes,” winner of the Jury Award for Best Feature at Slamdance.
New to the event is The Back Lot, a lounge-like environment featuring great local food and wine, set up behind City Hall on the Plaza. Another new venue, Ramekins, will feature gourmet food and wine, elegant café seating and culinary themed films.
The New Belgium Indie Lounge will be housed at the Sonoma Community Center and feature New Belgium beers and truly independent movies. The Sonoma Valley Woman’s Club will once again become the House of Docs, showing world premiere documentaries as well as high profile documentaries from around the world.
Passes and information are available at sonomafilmfest.org and 933-2600.
