Santa Rosa International Film Festival
A 25th anniversary Wine Country Film Festival Event
A Festival of the Senses. Immerse Yourself in Films that Matter, Inspiring Connections, Epicurean Adventure, Music, the Arts and Cultural Diversity
The 25th Wine Country Film Festival - Wine Country's original film festival - is now presenting the Santa Rosa International Film Festival (SRIFF), September 14 - 20. This weeklong celebration of cinema, the arts, cuisine and community, features more than 100 films from around the world. Venues include the Tocchini Family’s Summerfield and 3rd Street Cinemas and The Roxy Stadium 14 in Santa Rosa. The Tocchini Family is the Sonoma County pioneer in the movie theater business and a proud Double Platinum Sponsor.
SANTA ROSA OPENING NIGHT
The Santa Rosa Opening Night Film The Magnificent Seven and Gala Party takes place Thursday Sept 15th at Summerfield Cinemas. Festivities start at 6PM. (Black Tie optional). The Magnificent Seven, Mr. Tocchini’s favorite film, is a superbly remastered and restored edition. It is John Sturges's remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 classic The Seven Samurai. After the movie, the Gala Party takes place at La Rosa Tequilieria and Grille on Courtyard Square, downtown Santa Rosa.
The Festival Hospitality Lounge at #1 Santa Rosa Avenue in downtown Santa Rosa is an intimate gathering place for all festival goers and is generously sponsored by Keegan & Coppin and US Hydro Tech.
DEERFIELD RANCH WINERY
Movies will also screen at long time partner Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood, Sonoma Valley, a Film Festival Double Platinum Sponsor and Official Winery Host. Films screen inside the cave Grand Room at 6:30PM and outdoors at 8PM.
FILMS NOT TO MISS
Not to miss is My Afternoons With Margeuritte the Festival’s Deerfield Ranch Winery Opening Night Film Wednesday September 14. (8PM) The movie, which has received acclaim from movie critics from around the globe, stars French super star Gerard Depardieu and France's legendary actress Gisele Casadesus who turns 96 in September! Dgiin, a hot flamenco-French-gypsy style band from Sonoma County performs outdoors from 6:30PM – 8PM. Sonoma County’s popular street food truck vendor, Street-Eatz will offer a menu from 6:30PM – 9PM.
Co – owner Alma Mendez was featured on the Food Network in 2009. Please no outside food or beverages. My Afternoons With Margeuritte repeats at Summerfield Cinemas, Sat. Sept 17h at 4:30PM.
Another must see is Music from the Big House a documentary starring Canadian-born blues singer-songwriter Rita Chiarelli. Screen date is Sunday Sept 18 at DRW 6:30PM in the cave and repeats at 3rd Street Cinemas in Santa Rosa at 6PM. The transformational power of music is the main focus of this documentary. Chiarelli jams with some very talented convicted felons, many of whom will spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars. The musicians talk about their heroes -- artists as diverse from Parliament to Rush to James Brown to Metallica and how music has given them a whole new lease on life. After each screening Chiarelli will perform live singing songs from her new CD Music From the Big House. Proceeds from this extraordinary documentary and inspiring singer will go to the Music Program at Valley of the Moon Childrens Center in Santa Rosa.
A FILM FESTIVAL DISCOVERY
Film Festival co founder Stephen Ashton of Glen Ellen is thrilled to announce that a film he saw at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2009 titled Mediterranean Food, is in the final line up. With an earthy backdrop of Mediterranean cuisine, the film is about a Spanish woman who lives by her own rules in this history of sexual, gastronomic, and commercial ménage à trois. The film screens at DRW Friday Sept 16 (8PM). Food truck vendor that evening is Bistro Airstream, run by Max Porter- Elliott, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in 2009. The film repeats at Summerfield Cinemas Monday Sept 19 at 6PM.
THE SANTA ROSA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The event - which celebrates its 25 year with a new name and new theaters, is a true labor of love. It continues to be the creation of its original founders, husband and wife Stephen and Justine Ashton of Glen Ellen. SRIFF is produced by the Society For the Advancement of the Arts Society For the Advancement of the Arts and Film, a non-profit educational organization.
Net proceeds go to the Music Program at Valley of the Moon Childrens Center in Santa Rosa and several Scholarship Funds for Santa Rosa High School college bound students.
Film Festival attendees can choose from a wide variety of lodgings in Santa Rosa, from luxury accommodations with spa amenities to family-oriented, budget-minded comfort stays. Visitors will find a variety of nationally known hotel brands, such as the Courtyard Marriott, Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa, and the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel, as well as long-time local favorites, the Fountaingrove Inn and Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa. Boutique hotels like Hotel La Rose, a historic landmark for over 100 years, offer old-world charm and downtown convenience. Also available are B&Bs, such as the Melitta Station Inn. For a complete list of lodging options, please visit www.visitsantarosa.com/hotels.
The Santa Rosa International Film Festival is sponsored in part by The City of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wells Fargo Bank, Marriott Courtyard, Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, Flamingo Resort, La Rosa Tequilieria and Grille Press Democrat, Luther Burbank Savings, The KRSH, Mead Clark, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Sonoma County Gazette, The Bohemian, Wine Country This Week, Thanksgiving Coffee, among others.
For program details visit www.sriff.org or call the office 707. 935.3456.