28th Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF): Berlin Winner ‘Dreams (Love Sex),’ Andrew Ahn’s ‘The Wedding Banquet,’ Career Achievement Award for Joan Chen and More

Taking place March 19-23, 2025 in the heart of Sonoma’s renowned Wine Country, the 28th edition of the Sonoma International Film Festival, SIFF will feature the world premiere of Sarah Justine Kerrisch and Matt Maude’s Sweet Story as the festival opener, Daniel Minahan’s On Swift Horses with Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones as the centerpiece screening, and Andrew Ahn’s The Wedding Banquet, starring Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone, which will close the festival. Joan Chen, who co-stars in the film, will also be honored with the SIFF Career Achievement Award at the Closing Night presentation.

Dag Johan Haugrud’s Dreams (Love Sex), the Golden Bear winner at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, will have its North American debut in Sonoma. The festival will also screen the other two films in Haugrud’s trilogy, Love (Sex Dreams), and Sex (Dreams Love).

This year’s festival features a spectacular lineup of 39 narrative features, 16 documentaries, and 38 short films from over 21 countries.

In a statement, Carl Spence, SIFF Artistic Director, noted, “After last year’s record-breaking festival, we’re thrilled to elevate the experience with a lineup of extraordinary films, visionary talent, and an exclusive culinary program. The Sonoma International Film Festival isn’t just an event—it’s a destination where world-class cinema, fine wine, and gourmet food create an unforgettable cultural experience.”

Also set to screen will be James Griffith’s The Ballad of Wallis Island, Jiří Mádl’s Waves, Peter Cattaneo’s The Penguin Lessons, Charlie McDowell’s The Summer Book, Piero Messina’s Another End, Georgi M. Unkovski’s DJ Ahmet, Emilie Blichfeldt’s The Ugly Stepsister, Lorcan Finnegan’s The Surfer, David Siegel and Scott McGehee’s The Friend, Mimi Cave’s Holland, and a 20th anniversary screening of Gregg Araki’s Mysterious Skin, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet, director of the Oscar-winning The Brutalist.

The five-day festival is curated by Artistic Director Carl Spence, along with senior programmers Amanda Salazar and Ken Jacobson and shorts programmer Oscar Arce Naranjo.

This year’s jury includes esteemed international industry professionals including Rajendra Roy (Chief Curator, MoMA), Greg Ellwood (The Playlist), Rachel Rosen (New York Film Festival), Brian Brooks (Cinetic Media), Jaie Laplante (DOC NYC), Daniela Michela (Morelia International Film Festival), Maggie Mackay (Vidiots), and Angelo Acerbi (Fred Film Radio).

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Opening Night Film: Sweet Störy (World Premiere) – A captivating documentary following Meg Ray of San Francisco’s Miette on a heartfelt journey to save a charming café on the remote Swedish island of Rödlöga.

Centerpiece Film: On Swift Horses (California Premiere) – Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jacob Elordi, this evocative adaptation of Shannon Pufahi’s novel follows intertwined journeys of risk, romance, and self-discovery.

Closing Night Film: The Wedding Banquet (West Coast Premiere) – A fresh reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic by acclaimed director Andrew Ahn, featuring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, and Joan Chen.

Special Presentation Films: The Ballad of Wallis Island (United Kingdom), One to One: John & Yoko (United Kingdom), The Penguin Lessons (United Kingdom), Dag Johan Haugerud´s Love Sex Dreams Trilogy (Norway).

Tribute to Joan Chen: The acclaimed actress will be honored with the SIFF Career Achievement Award at the Closing Night presentation of The Wedding Banquet.

20th Anniversary Screening: Gregg Araki’s groundbreaking Mysterious Skin.

Culinary Films & Events: 15 food-focused films, an intimate Italian wine dinner honoring culinary legend Marcella Hazan, and a Master Class in Japanese Cuisine & Culture by Michelin-star chef Yoshinori Ishii.

World premieres of Roush Niaghi and Greg Morris’s Ali Eats America, Fernando Guillermo Barreda Luna’s Cafe Chairel, Mark Benjamin and Katie Carpenter’s Fatal Watch.

North American Premiere: Dreams (Love, Sex) – Berlinale Golden Bear winner by Dag Johan Haugerud, alongside his full trilogy.

California premieres of Mark Craig’s Apollo 1, Kevin Macdonald’s One to One: John and Yoko, Mimi Cave´s Holland, Lorcan Finnegan´s The Surfer, and Emilie Blicheld´s The Ugly Stepsister, amongst others. 

Audience Favorites and Award Winners: Bad Shabbos (USA) Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award Winner, Ballad of Wallis Island (United Kingdom) Sundance Film Festival Crowd Pleaser, Bob Trevino Likes It (USA) SXSW Jury and Audience Award Winner, DJ Ahmet (North Macedonia) Sundance Film Festival Audience Award Winner, The Last Journey (Sweden) Official Oscar Submission, Best International Feature, Long Good Thursday (Finland) – Chicago Film Festival Audience Award Winner, Waves (Czech Republic) – Official Oscar Submission Shortlist, Best International Feature.

Spotlight on Italian Cinema and a mini-focus on Films from Scandinavia.

FEATURE COMPETITION FILMS: Café Chairel (Director: Fernando Guillermo Barreda Luna/Mexico), DJ Ahmet (Director: Georgi M. Unkovski/North Macedonia), Gloria (Director: Margherita Vicario/Italy), Long Good Thursday (Director: Mika Kaurismäki/Finland), Mexico 86 (Director: César Diaz/France), My Favorite Cake (Director: Maryam Moghaddam, Behtash Sanaeeha/Iran), The Party’s Over (Director: Elena Manrique/Spain), Waves (Director: Jiří Mádl/Czech Republic).

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION FILMS: Ali Eats America (USA)  Directed by: Roush Niaghi, Greg Morris, Apollo 1 (United Kingdom)  Directed by: Mark Craig, Fatal Watch (USA)  Directed by: Mark Benjamin, Katie Carpenter, Free Leonard Peltier (USA)  Directed by: Jesse Short Bull, David France, Mistress Dispeller (China)  Directed by: Elizabeth Lo, Suburban Fury (USA)  Directed by: Robinson Devor, Sweet Störy (United Kingdom)  Directed by: Sarah Justine Kerruish, Matt Maude, Tokito: The 540-Day Journey of a Culinary Maverick (Japan)  Directed by: Aki Mizutani.

SPECIAL GUESTS & PANELS

A live recording of “The Film That Blew My Mind” podcast, featuring Sundance Director Emeritus John Cooper, Tabitha Jackson, and special guest Christine Vachon.

Film Veterans Tell All: Come hear film academy members give the ins and outs of the film business. Get insider stories from industry veterans about the film world! A must-attend panel for aspiring filmmakers and film lovers alike. 

SIFF’s SVHS Media Arts Student Showcase: A platform for the next generation of filmmakers from Sonoma Valley High School’s acclaimed media arts program.

The Sonoma International Film Festival is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting the best in independent film and filmmakers from around the world, inspiring savvy film lovers, and introducing the power of film to student filmmakers. Blending a program of international film, food, wine, and fun, SIFF hosts its annual festival each March, as well as year-round events and special screenings. Carl Spence is the Artistic Director, Ginny Krieger is the Executive Director,  and Dr. Kevin W. McNeely is the Director Emeritus.

SIFF’s signature initiative, the Media Arts Program started at Sonoma Valley High School in 2002, introduces students to film by providing ongoing support so they may explore their creative pursuits. SIFF has given more than $800,000 in resources to the program since its inception, with hundreds of students to date graduating through the program, in addition to providing college scholarships annually to deserving students.

The Sonoma International Film Festival is supported year-round by Sustaining Sponsor KHR McNeely Family Foundation and Official Airline Delta Air Lines.

SIFF2025 Festival Premiere Sponsors include Chihuly Studio, Gloria Ferrer Winery, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, and Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery.

For more information on the festival, including screening times, tickets, and special events, go here.