FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contacts:
Claudia Mendoza-Carruth
claudia@sonomafilmfest.org
SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL COMES OF AGE
AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 16TH EDITION
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2013 PROGRAM UNVEILED
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FEST HONORS MARY-LOUISE PARKER, JOINING DEMIÁN BICHIR
FOR SPOTLIGHT AWARD TRIBUTE
Sonoma, CA (March 22, 2013) - The Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) is proud to announce
the line-up for the upcoming 16th edition, which runs Wednesday, April 10, through Sunday, April
14. Considered one of the nation’s top destination film festivals, SIFF presents over 100 films,
including 7 Premiere films, shown at 8 venues, all within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic
plaza, in the heart of California Wine Country.
“This year’s program marks a great achievement for the Festival. Our sensational selection of films
will challenge and inspire our audiences. Now add delicious food, wine and music and attendees
will thoroughly enjoy our unique film festival,” says Kevin W. McNeely, SIFF’s Executive Director.
“This year’s program –listed below – features films that will transport audiences all over the world
from Russia to Italy, Venezuela to Nepal, Iran to Iceland, and more, with such themes as Music &
Arts, Environmental, LGBT, Sports & Action, Spanish-language Vamos al Cine and, of course, Food &
Wine.”
Spotlight Awards
SIFF is proud to honor Golden Globe-winning actress Mary-Louise Parker with the SONOMA
SPOTLIGHT AWARD, joining previously announced honoree Demián Bichir at a Tribute event
taking place on Saturday, April 13.
Mary-Louise Parker has enjoyed a diverse career in film, television and on stage. She was most
recently seen in the hit action-comedy Red opposite Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich
and Helen Mirren. Her upcoming feature films include Red 2, R.I.P.D. the action-comedy starring
Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Bacon; Jamesy Boy and Behaving Badly. Parker is widely known for her
starring roles in such films as Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, The Assassination of Jesse
James by the Coward Robert Ford, Reckless, The Client, Naked in New York, Bullets Over
Broadway and Longtime Companion. For the small screen, Parker won a Golden Globe and received
four SAG Award nominations for her portrayal as Nancy Botwin in the hit Showtime series Weeds
and also received a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for her role in the TV mini-series Angels in
America. She also boasts a highly acclaimed and extensive stage career, having appeared in such
plays as Prelude To A Kiss, Reckless and Proof, all of which she received Tony Award nominations
and winning the Tony for Proof, and most recently seen in Dead Man’s Cell Phone and the Broadway
revival of Hedda Gabler.
“Both Parker and Bichir exemplify such amazing traits as actors,” says McNeely, “We are thrilled to
celebrate their contribution to independent film…and even more excited to be able to reunite this
Weeds duo.”
Film Highlights
A range of epicurean films includes Lo Zucco: The Wine of the Son of the King of the French, a U.S.
Premiere from Italy about the Duke of Aumale who, exiled from France, settled in Sicily where he
applied the agricultural precepts of Virgil; A Year in Burgundy, a look at a full wine-making year in
the Burgundy region of France in 2011; and Spinning Plates, recent Audience Choice Award
winner at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Two environmental films that happen to both be narrated by Robert Redford are Watershed:
Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West, about the urgent threat facing the Colorado River,
a vital waterway that faces distinction, produced by James Redford and directed by Mark Decena;
and A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet, directed by Mark Kitchell about the first
big-picture exploration of the environmental movement’s evolution of grassroots and global
activism, and narrated also by Ashley Judd, Van Jones, Isabel Allende and Meryl Streep.
International fare includes the North American Premiere of You Will Be My Son (Tu Seras Mon
Fils) from France set in the beautiful Saint-Émilion region, a modern retelling of the parable of the
prodigal son; Iranian film The Sinners, directed by Faramarz Gharibian and written by his son Sam,
shrewdly channels Hitchcock in this film noir with an Iranian twist; and Caught in the Web, a
multi-layered black comedy set in modern-day China and was China’s official submission to the
2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
Terms and Conditions May Apply is a documentary directed by Cullen Hoback that exposes the
outrageous and downright scary things that happen to your personal info when you click “Yes”
without reading the fine print, featuring interviews with musician Moby, futurist Ray Kurzweil and
science-fiction author Orson Scott Card, as well as a privacy-invading ambush of Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg.
Project Censored: The Movie has its World Premiere at SIFF, determined to break the grip that
‘junk food news’ has on the American people by exposing important stories that are rarely, if ever,
reported by the corporate media.
Village Music: Last of the Great Record Stores features the Mill Valley cultural institution, Village
Music, and Cover Story – Album Art features some of the most iconic images of the vinyl era, with
the stories behind album covers from such musicians as Grateful Dead, Yes, Nirvana and more. The
Cover artists are expected to support the film.
Chuck Jones’ daughter Linda will introduce a screening of Best of Looney Tunes Cartoons,
featuring classic cartoons from the legendary animation director’s personal collection, followed by a
Q&A.
On Friday, April 12 at 1:00 pm at the Woman’s Club SIFF will present a Special Sneak Preview of a
feature film debut from a returning filmmaker whose short film premiered at SIFF several years
ago.
Festival Highlights & Local Offerings
Complementing its diverse and truly international program of independent cinema, SIFF offers a
unique blend of world-class cuisine from local artisans and exceptional wine from Sonoma vintners,
making for an epicurean experience few film festivals in the world can match. Renowned
filmmakers, industry leaders and celebrities have enjoyed its intimate ambiance, while many
filmmakers who have premiered at SIFF return with future projects. Following are just a few
special highlights the festival has to offer:
 Opening Night After-party – Following the Opening night screening of The Iceman, director
Ariel Vroman and actor Ray Liotta and festival guests will party the night away at the
historic General’s Daughter which will be transformed into a rock & roll club.
 Latin Fiesta, Friday, April 12, 6-8 pm – Celebrating the Valley’s diversity with Mexican
flavors, beer, wine, Margaritas and dancing to the Latin beat of the Carlos Herrera Band at
the Backlot Tent.
 Vamos al Cine: Following the Fiesta will be opening of the Vamos al Cine program featuring
the best of cinema en español, with the U.S. Premiere screening of Mía, directed by
Argentinian Javier van de Couter, who will participate in a Q&A after the screening at the
Sebastiani Theatre.
 Student Films: A highlight of the festival, where students of the Sonoma Valley High School
Media Arts Program – founded a decade ago in partnership with the Sonoma Film Society
and funded by SIFF – present their short films on the big screen at the Sebastiani Theatre on
Thursday, April 11.
 ILM Tour: Filmmakers are treated to a tour Friday morning, April 12, of the legendary
Visual Effects house, ILM.
 Lunafest: Created by the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for women, this ‘traveling
festival’ is a selection of nine shorts by women, for women and about women with
intelligent, funny and thought-provoking themes. Friday, April 12
 “The Secret Disco” LGBT Saturday Night Fever Party with a DJ spinning disco songs on
Saturday, April 13, 7-10pm
 Unforgettable Fire, the subject of the documentary Unforgettable Fire: The Story of a U2
Tribute Band, will perform Saturday night following the Festival Tribute Gala at the Sonoma
Veterans Memorial Hall.
 New Belgium Clips Program, Sunday, April 14: An intoxicating collection of short films
created by fans of Fat Tire Amber Ale, proudly presented by New Belgium Brewing. These
handcrafted films embrace many genres — including live-action comedy, animation and
environmental documentaries — including: Classie Parker, a tale about deep kitchen
conversations; DamNATION, highlighting water rights controversies in the West; and Foxy
Shazam – Unstoppable, created entirely with old school theater trickery, puppets and black
light. The New Belgium Clips Beer & Film Tour has raised over $100,000 for local
philanthropic organizations across the US, while treating audiences to the brewery's
handcrafted beers. Come in and get a taste!
 New Belgium Brewing will be hosting a happy hour with a twist. Swing by the New
Belgium Lounge Saturday & Sunday for some one on one time with the Beer Evangelists
from New Belgium as they take you through their own craft beer journey. While
sampling some of their most artisanal beers, you will cover subjects ranging from beer
history and process to New Belgium's sustainable business role model. Guaranteed good
time.
 Known for its charm and unpretentious hospitality, what may well be the world's friendliest
and most accessible film festival will include the return of such signature elements at the
popular Backlot Tent in the center of the Sonoma Plaza, where film-goers mingle with
filmmakers while enjoying food and wine from local chefs and winemakers, featuring SIFF’s
official wine from Buena Vista Winery.
Film Categories & Sidebars
SIFF will continue its commitment to feature exciting, culturally enlightening, and entertaining
programming and sidebars. 105 films from around the world will be brought together to form an
incredibly unique and diverse festival experience.
Films from the following categories will be shown:
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American Indies
Documentaries
World Cinema
Environmental
Food & Wine
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LGBT
Sports & Action
Music & Arts
Cinema en Español
Family
JURIED AWARDS:
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Best American Independent Feature
Best World Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
AUDIENCE AWARDS:
 The A3 Audience Award of $1,500 for Best Documentary
(named in honor of Amar A. Archbold, a longtime supporter and extraordinary Board member)
 The Stolman Audience Award of $1,500 for the Best American Independent Feature
(named in memory of Caroline and Ed Stolman, founders of the Sonoma International Film
Festival)
 Audience Award Best World Feature
The full list of films is below or at www.sonomafilmfest.org.
Ticket Information:
With several pass options, SIFF can be enjoyed at different levels ranging from “One Day Movies
Only” passes to VIP Star Passes for the full festival experience. More information at
http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/film-festival-passes-html
About the Sonoma International Film Festival:
Now in its 16th year, the Sonoma International Film Festival (April 10-14, 2013) takes place in the
heart of Northern California’s Wine Country and features more than 100 hand-selected films
including independent features, documentaries, world cinema, shorts and a showcase of Spanish
language films. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance on Sonoma’s historic
plaza. The Festival is dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the
world, and inspiring film lovers. This unique 5-day event offers world-class cuisine from local
artisans and exceptional wine from Sonoma vintners. Renowned filmmakers, industry leaders and
celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams and Danny Glover have walked the
festival red carpet and enjoyed its intimate ambiance.
For more information, please visit www.sonomafilmfest.org. Please apply for press credentials at
http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/media-accreditation-application.html.
16th Sonoma Film Fest Lineup
OPENING NIGHT FILM
The Iceman, USA
Directed by Ariel Vromen
Notoriously unrepentant Mafia hitman Richard Kuklinski was arrested in 1986 for murdering over 100 men
in the course of three decades (although he may have killed twice that number). Appearing to be living the
American dream with their devoted husband and father, Kuklinski's wife and daughters were apparently
oblivious to his real profession. Directed by Israeli-born Ariel Vromen and starring Oscar-nominated Michael
Shannon (from Take Shelter) as Kuklinski and Oscar-nominee Winona Ryder as his trusting wife. Chris Evans,
Ray Liotta, Benicio Del Toro and James Franco round out the all-star cast of this riveting thriller.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM
A Monkey on My Shoulder (A Coeur Ouvert) France- NORTH AMERICA PREMIERE
Directed by Marion Laine
Mila and Javier are a passionate husband-and-wife team of heart surgeons. When Mila unexpectedly becomes
pregnant, the prospect of a baby undermines the balance of their relationship. Frustration and jealousy set in
when Mila’s insistence on having the child forces them to cancel a planned relocation to South America, and
Javier’s penchant for alcohol becomes a genuine problem. An engaging story of marital collapse from awardwinning director Marion Lane (A Simple Heart), starring Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche (The English Patient)
and Venezuelan superstar Édgar Ramírez (Carlos).
AMERICAN INDIES
As High as the Sky, USA
Directed by Nikki Braendlin
Margaret has always been a little...particular. But since being jilted by her fiancé, her obsessive-compulsive
behaviors are in overdrive. The last thing she needs is company showing up on her doorstep unannounced,
Margaret's nomadic older sister Josephine, with ten-year-old daughter Hannah in tow, is initially an
unwanted jolt to her carefully regulated life. But their playfulness eventually wins Margaret over and she
begins to loosen her neurotic control on life. When Margaret discovers the real reason for her sister's visit,
however, she's forced to confront the betrayal...and the long-suppressed grief at the root of her fastidious
behaviors.
The Brass Teapot, USA
Directed by Ramaa Mosley
Twenty-something Alice and her neurotic husband John are very much in love, but broke. Once voted “most
likely to succeed”, Alice struggles to make ends meet while her friends enjoy the good life. When an accident
leads them to a roadside antique shop, Alice is spontaneously drawn to a mysterious brass teapot which gives
them money every time they hurt themselves or others. Upon realizing the teapot's magical powers, John and
Alice must decide how far they will go to fulfill their dreams of wealth. A dark comedy that reminds us to be
careful of what we wish for.
Caroline and Jackie, USA
Directed by Adam Christian Clark
On a celebratory birthday trip, Caroline plans a surprise party for her sister, Jackie. A fun evening with close
friends quickly goes askew, as the effects of the sisters’ obscure past takes its toll. Caroline and the group
attempt to support Jackie for an apparent illness — although it’s unclear who really needs the most help. This
delicious dinner party meltdown is part character study, part physiological thriller, and guaranteed to keep
you guessing until the last moment. Starring Bitsie Tulloch and David Giuntoli (from TV's hit show "Grimm")
and Marguerite Moreau. Named Best Feature at Film Fest Twain Harte.
Faces in the Mirror, USA
Directed by Aaron Farrington
A young man returns home to bury his estranged father in this dream-like odyssey. Angry at his workaholic
father’s neglect, Ben has refused to see him for years. On the day of the funeral, Ben is led, portal by portal, to
fantastical places with mystifying people who all seem to be guiding him somewhere. He's looking for a way
to be free of his pain and guilt; he's looking for forgiveness. An experience of music, visuals and emotion, this
is a film that dances with the music and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride that never lets you go.
Favor, USA
Directed by Paul Osborne
A friend helps you move, but a good friend helps you move a body. Kip has everything he's ever wanted — a
thriving career, a beautiful wife, and an affluent lifestyle — all of which is put in jeopardy when the waitress
with whom he's having an affair is accidentally killed in their motel room. Desperate, he asks his childhood
friend Marvin for a huge favor: help him get rid of the body. This gruesome circumstance begins a series of
events which unravel Kip and Marvin's lifelong friendship, leading both men to murderous acts neither had
ever suspected themselves capable of.
A Teacher, USA
Directed by Hannah Fidell
Part psychological thriller and part provocative character study, A Teacher explores the unraveling of a young
high school teacher, Diana, after she begins an affair with one of her teenage students, Eric. What starts as a
seemingly innocent fling becomes increasingly complex — and dangerous — as the beautiful and confident
Diana gets fully consumed by her emotions, crossing boundaries and acting out in progressively startling
ways. Lindsay Burdge delivers a deeply compelling and seamlessly naturalistic lead performance that brings
us into the mind of an adult driven to taboo against her better judgment.
DOCUMENTARIES
Cafeteria Man, USA
Directed by Richard Chisolm
The true story of one man's crusade to revolutionize the nourishment children receive at Baltimore's public
schools. Leading the charge to replace processed foods with locally-grown, freshly-prepared meals is Tony
Geraci, food-service director for the city’s public schools. A charismatic chef from New Orleans, Geraci's bold
vision includes school vegetable gardens, student-designed meals, meatless Mondays, and nutrition education
in the classroom. Among the protagonists in this story are parents, teachers, administrators, farmers, chefs,
and dozens of creative and motivated students. More than just changing eating habits, Geraci's efforts prove
that feeding the soul is the goodness we all seek.
The List, USA
Directed by Beth Murphy
From the award-winning director of Beyond Belief, which was named Best Documentary here in Sonoma in
2008, comes the story of Kirk Johnson, a modern-day Oskar Schindler. After leading reconstruction teams in
Baghdad and Fallujah, Kirk discovers that many of his Iraqi friends and colleagues are being kidnapped,
forced into exile or even killed for having worked for the US to help rebuild Iraq. Frustrated by stagnating
government bureaucracy, Kirk begins compiling a list of their names and working with a team of lawyers to
help them find refuge in America.
Living on One Dollar, USA
Directed by Zach Ingrasci, Sean Leonard, Chris Temple
How do over a billion people around the world live on less than $1 a day? Four college students spend a
summer researching and living the reality of extreme poverty. Armed with only a video camera and a desire
to understand, they spend just $56 each for 56 days in rural Guatemala. They return home transformed and
embark on a mission to share their newfound understanding, inspiring and challenging their generation to
confront global poverty.
Project Censored: The Movie, USA- WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Doug Hecker, Christopher Oscar
Media watchdog group Project Censored exposes important stories that are rarely — if ever — reported by
the corporate media. Determined to break the grip that "junk food news" has on the American people, two
California fathers uncover the corporate media's true agenda. Using Project Censored as their road map, they
take the veil off corporate media and prove to the people of America that media watchdog groups like Project
Censored are the antidote to a broken media system.
Terms and Conditions May Apply, USA
Directed by Cullen Hoback
Ever wonder what you're ignoring when you scroll past a headache-inducing list of terms and conditions?
People may think they know what they give up when they click "Agree" on Facebook, Twitter and Google;
they're wrong. Is the disappearance of online privacy the true cost of so-called "free" services? Featuring
interviews with musician Moby, futurist Ray Kurzweil and science-fiction author Orson Scott Card — and a
privacy-invading ambush of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg — this documentary exposes the outrageous
and downright scary things that happen to your personal info when you click "Yes" without reading the fine
print.
We're Not Broke, USA
Directed by Victoria Bruce, Karin Hayes
Corporate greed is alive and well, and you're paying for it! In the grip of societal economic panic, lawmakers
cry “We’re broke!” as they slash budgets and lay off public sector workers, crumbling our country’s social
fabric and leaving many Americans scrambling. Meanwhile, multibillion-dollar corporations are making
record profits. While the deficit climbs and the cuts go deeper, these corporations are concealing colossal
profits overseas to avoid paying income tax. An infuriating exposé on how the government has allowed
corporations to avoid paying taxes and how fed-up Americans across the country are vowing to make them
pay their fair share.
Which Way Is the Front Line from Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington, USA
Directed by Sebastian Junger
Shortly after the release of his Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo, photojournalist Tim Hetherington
was killed by mortar fire in Libya, where he’d been covering the civil war. He bled out in the back of a pick-up
truck, ending a brilliant career in which he covered dramatic frontline stories and transcended the
conventional boundaries of image-making to become a luminary in his profession. Hetherington’s Restrepo
co-director, Sebastian Junger (bestselling author of “The Perfect Storm” & "War"), traces his close fr1iend’s
work across the world's battlefields to reveal what made him such a singular talent — and such a remarkable
human being.
Who Cares?, Brazil
Directed by Mara Mourão
Just who is changing the world? This eye-opening documentary answers that question by traveling the globe
in search of the most innovative social entrepreneurs currently imagining a better planet. Meet the people
with simple solutions to the hard questions that affect us all — Bill Drayton, Muhammad Yunus, Mary Gordon
and Rodrigo Baggio, among others — brilliant oddballs who are making changes, bringing solutions to the
problems we face, generating huge social impact and — most of all — inspiring people to do the same.
WORLD CINEMA FILMS
Becoming Redwood, Canada
Directed by Jesse James Miller
In this delightful coming-of-age comedy, an eleven-year-old boy named Redwood dreams of reuniting his
parents by beating Jack Nicklaus at the 1975 Masters Golf tournament. When his draft-dodging, dope-dealing
father is arrested, Redwood is sent to Northern California to live with his estranged mother, and his 'new'
dysfunctional family. Redwood's dream seems crushed forever...until agoraphobic, basement-dwelling
Grampa reveals a secret golf tip that could help him beat the world's greatest golfer. Named Best Canadian
Feature at the Edmonton International Film Festival and Most Popular Canadian Film at the Vancouver
International Film Festival.
Blackbird, Canada
Directed by Jason Buxton
Rising star Connor Jessup portrays an alienated teen accused of planning a Columbine-style massacre. When
his online posturing ignites a firestorm of fear, he endures one of the toughest youth prisons in the country.
Faced with escalating abuse, he pleads guilty in exchange for his freedom, but soon discovers the lengths a
small town will go to exclude him. Exploring the power and danger of social media, Blackbird received the
Claude Jutra Award for Best Canadian First Feature and was named Best Canadian First Feature at the
Toronto International Film Festival and Best Canadian Feature at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
Caught in the Web (Sou Suo 搜索), China
Directed by Kaige Chen
A multi-layered black comedy set in modern-day China. When white-collar worker Ye refuses to give up her
seat on the bus to a senior citizen, her defiance is caught on video and posted online by an ambitious
journalism intern. The video goes viral, sparking intense debate both on and off the internet about
generational disrespect and the destructive power of modern media. When hackers search for and post Ye's
personal information, the aftermath affects her personal and professional life, ultimately bringing her face-toface with the video's poster. China's official submission to the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign
Language Film.
The Deep (Djúpið), Iceland
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur
Based on an astonishing true incident that took place in 1984, a fisherman tries to survive in the freezing
ocean after his boat capsizes in the frigid seas off the south coast of Iceland. Director Baltasar Kormákur —
whose intermittently grisly thriller Jar City (Mýrin) screened here in 2008 — fashions a modern-day
everyman myth about this sole survivor, whose superhuman will to survive made him both an inexplicable
scientific phenomenon and a genuine national hero. This was Iceland's official submission to the 2013
Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
Flicker (Flimmer), Sweden
Directed by Patrik Eklund
Something strange is going on in the small town of Backberga. The town's former pride, the
telecommunications company, is now on the brink of ruin. Its put-upon employees are about to make one last
attempt to modernize the firm when they discover that something is lurking on the outskirts of town. A
power failure sets off a chain of events that will change everything for the town's residents. Director Patrik
Eklund – Oscar-nominated for his short film Instead of Abracadabra – brings you this warm and twisted
comedy about quirky people trying to find their place within the modern world.
The Hunt (Jagten), Denmark
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg
From the director of The Celebration, this riveting drama is a powerful and disturbing depiction of how
quickly a lie can become the truth. Newly divorced Lucas (international superstar Mads Mikkelsen) is pulling
his life back together in a small town. One passing remark threatens his newfound stability. It doesn't take
long before this small community is in a collective state of hysteria, igniting a witch-hunt that threatens to
destroy an innocent man's life. Named Best Actor at Cannes and Audience Favorite at the Vancouver
International Film Festival. Denmark's official submission to the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign
Language Film.
Inch'Allah, Canada
Directed by Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette
Working in a West Bank refugee camp, Canadian obstetrician Chloe is confronted with the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict and the people it affects: a patient for whom she develops a deep affection, a fervent resister, a child
shattered by war who dreams of flying across borders, and a young soldier who lives next door. Facing daily
checkpoints and stray bullets, Chloe is torn between the two sides of the conflict, forcing her to lose her
bearings and spiral into freefall. There are journeys that shake us, transform us and shatter all our certainties.
For Chloe, Inch’Allah is such a journey.
Jackie, The Netherlands
Directed by Antoinette Beumer
A stirring, cross-cultural take on the classic American road movie starring Oscar-winner Holly Hunter. Raised
in Amsterdam by a gay couple, twin sisters Sofie and Daan could not be more different. Sofie is an
uncompromising workaholic with few close relationships, while Daan is a free spirit married to a man who
doesn't share her outlook on life. Despite their pronounced dissimilarities, the sisters have been able to
maintain a close bond over the years — but when they receive an out-of-the-blue phone call from Jackie, the
American biological mother they have never met, personalities clash, values are tested, and cultures collide.
Lost for Words, Hong Kong
Directed by Stanley J. Orzel
Do we find love or does love find us?
Amidst the sweeping cityscape of cosmopolitan Hong Kong, fate brings two lost souls together in this
multilingual cross-cultural romance. Arriving on the same day, Michael, an American ex-Marine, and Anna, a
ballerina from Beijing, are both dealing with the aftermath of failed relationships. As their two worlds
intertwine, romance blossoms. Against mounting cultural and religious pressure, the two star-crossed lovers
risk it all in pursuit of true love. But can love survive?
The Sinners (‫)اهکارانگ ن‬, Iran
Directed by Faramarz Gharibian
A beautiful, independent woman returns home to Tehran after living in the US for seven years, and meets a
violent end on the street in this tightly-plotted Iranian film noir. A quirky old police detective and a cunning
young officer — who are themselves sinners — use less-than-legal tactics to interview the suspects. Firsttime screenwriter Sam Gharibian (son of veteran Iranian actor-director Faramarz Gharibian) shrewdly
channels Hitchcock here, whose philosophy that there’s little difference between thinking about and
committing a crime gets an Iranian twist.
Sister (L'enfant d'en haut), Switzerland
Directed by Ursula Meier
Throughout the winter months, twelve-year-old Simon takes the small gondola to the opulent ski resort that
overlooks the industrial plain where he lives with his older sister. Stealing skis and ski equipment from
wealthy guests, he then fences the stolen goods to make a small but regular income to support himself and his
sister Louise, who has just lost her job. Louise reluctantly finds herself becoming increasingly financially
dependent on her enterprising but dishonest younger brother. Featuring Gillian Anderson (best-known as
Agent Scully from The X-Files), this compelling drama was Switzerland's official submission to the 2013
Academy Awards.
Soufflé au Chocolat, Canada- WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Michel Duran, Fred Goldstein
Reunited after six weeks apart, Marc and Noémie take a much-needed one-week vacation on beautiful Galiano
Island off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia. Through Marc's distant cousin Laure and her partner Cyril
from France, they meet Lyse from Québéc. Lyse helps them discover the island, which she knows like the back
of her hand. But the group dynamic changes when Lyse attempts to seduce Marc. A previously committed,
trusting and tightly-knit couple, Marc and Noémie suddenly find themselves confronted by the temptation to
explore the unchartered territories of love, forever altering the delicate balance of their relationship.
Wasteland, UK
Directed by Rowan Athale
This unexpected treat is an original take on a much-loved genre. Upon his release from prison, Harvey Miller
recruits his three best friends to rob the local drug kingpin who is responsible for his incarceration. Can he
get revenge and win back his fed-up girlfriend? Detective Inspector West has the proof but wants to hear it
from the horse's mouth. Caught red-handed in the botched robbery and charged with attempted murder,
Harvey agrees to tell his version of events. What unfolds is an exhilarating, moving and hilarious story of
loyalty, jealousy, revenge and the pursuit of happiness.
You Will Be My Son (Tu Seras Mon Fils), France- NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Directed by Gilles Legrand
Set in the beautiful Saint-Émilion region, this modern retelling of the parable of the prodigal son is a reminder
to be careful what you wish for. The passionately ruthless owner of a prestigious family winery, Paul de
Marseul is consumed with the failings of his uninspired son, whom he doesn't see as the ideal candidate to
succeed him. Paul dreams of a worthy successor more talented, more charismatic…more like Philip, the welltraveled son of his terminally ill estate manager. So begins a four-handed game of chess: two parents, two
sons. And only one of them has nothing to lose…
ENVIRONMENTAL
A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet, USA
Directed by Mark Kitchell
The first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement's evolution captures the energy,
expansiveness and extremes of half a century of grassroots and global activism, from conservation to climate
change. From eco-warriors sinking whaling ships to housewives taking hostages, the stories of people fighting
to save their homes, their lives, the future -– and succeeding against all odds — are surprising, tragic and
inspiring. Based on the book by Philip Shabecoff and narrated by Robert Redford, Ashley Judd, Van Jones,
Isabel Allende and Meryl Streep. Directed by Oscar-nominated Mark Kitchell, whose Berkley in the Sixties won
the Audience Award at Sundance.
Battle for the Elephants, USA
Directed by John Heminway
Director John Heminway and producer Katie Carpenter (last year's Bones of Turkana) return with this
groundbreaking National Geographic special, which exposes the international criminal network behind the
brutal slaughter of African elephants for their tusks. In telling the ultimate wildlife story — how the Earth’s
most charismatic and majestic land animal faces market forces that skyrocket the value of ivory to levels once
reserved for precious metals — this vivid documentary demonstrates how the elephant, with its highly
evolved society, keen intelligence, ability to communicate across vast distances and to love, remember and
mourn, is far more complex than previously understood.
Bitter Seeds, USA
Directed by Micha X. Peled
US-based Monsanto claims that genetically modified seeds offer an effective solution to feeding the world’s
growing population, but as a result many small-scale farmers are losing their land. Nowhere is the situation
more desperate than in India, where over a quarter million farmers have committed suicide. The conclusion
to Micha Peled’s powerful globalization trilogy — following Store Wars: When Walmart Comes to Town and
China Blue — this award-winning documentary features compelling characters to tell a deeply moving story,
raising questions about the human cost of genetically-modified agriculture and the future of how we grow
things.
Design & Thinking, USA
Directed by Mu-Ming Tsai
Amalgamating the collective creativity of business people, professional designers, social activists and the
general public, this mind-expanding documentary explores the idea of "design thinking" and its impact on
society. What is design thinking? How is it applied in business models? How are people changing the world
with their own creativity? How do we engage organizations to think about the changing landscape of
business, culture and society? This call for conventional minds to change and collaborate challenges what we
think we know about how design affects our world, offering a radical new view of the way we think about
design.
Rebels with a Cause, USA
Directed by Nancy Kelly
Celebrating the people and passion that saved the coastal wonders of the Point Reyes National Seashore and
the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this stunningly beautiful film narrated by Frances McDormand
spotlights the rebels — citizens from many walks of life — who fought to establish public parks next to a
densely populated urban center. Their efforts pioneered a conservation ethos that today is more the norm
than the exception. The efforts of these rebels changed the fate of the land and shaped the environmental
movement as we know it today. Winner of an Audience Favorite Award at the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West, USA
Directed by Mark Decena
Robert Redford narrates this eye-opening documentary on the urgent threat facing the Colorado River and
the extraordinary story of the Colorado River Pact. A vital waterway supporting 30 million people in seven US
and two Mexican states, the river is currently being damned and diverted nearly to extinction. Can we meet
the needs of a growing population in the face of rising temperatures and lower rainfall? Action is needed to
establish a new water ethic.
FOOD & WINE
A Year in Burgundy, USA / France
Directed by David Kennard
The 2011 vintage was a year of joy, fear, anxiety, triumph and laughter for seven wine-making families in the
Burgundy region of France. Filmed entirely on location, this exquisitely beautiful documentary takes us
through the course of a full wine-making year, from the first bud on the vine to the final pressing, barrel-aging
and bottling. Each vintage is a time capsule, a bottled piece of history of a very specific year, with its particular
weather pattern, its crises and its triumphs. The grapes grow; the grapes die away. What is left always in the
frame is a way of life.
Lo Zucco: The wine of the Son of the King of the French (Lo Zucco: Il vino del figlio del re dei francesi),
Italy- US PREMIERE
What brought the richest Frenchman of the late 18th Century to die in southern Italy? The Duke of Aumale
was the son of Louis Philippe, known as the King of the French. Exiled from his beloved France, he found in
Sicily a land where he could apply the agricultural precepts of Virgil. Who would have imagined that the great
chef Vatel's closely-guarded secret of Chantilly cream would lead to the discovery of the long-lost secret of le
vin de Zucco? Unfortunately the Duke's famously pure wines are no longer produced, but the Zucco farm still
exudes the charm of its incredible, romantic history.
Directed by Lidia Rizzo
Spinning Plates, USA
Directed by Joseph Levy
Visit three extraordinary restaurants and meet the incredible people who make them what they are: a
cutting-edge restaurant named the seventh-best in the world whose chef battles a life-threatening obstacle to
pursue his passion; a 150-year-old family restaurant still standing because of the unbreakable bond with its
community; a fledgling Mexican restaurant whose owners risk everything to survive and provide for their
young daughter. Their unforgettable stories of passion and survival come together to reveal how meaningful
food can be, and its power to connect us all. Winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Santa Barbara
International Film Festival.
LGBT
I Do, USA
Directed by Glenn Gaylord
A romantic drama highlighting the impact of the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA). British fashion
photographer Jack's work visa is denied after a decade of living legally in New York. Faced with deportation,
he persuades his lesbian friend to marry him. Things get messy when Jack falls for a sexy Spanish-American
architect. His commitment to his brother's widow and her daughter ultimately forces Jack to make the most
painful decision of his life: move to Europe with the man he loves, or stay in America with the only family he
knows. Ultimately Jack has to decide whose life he’s living.
Laurence Anyways, Canada
Directed by Xavier Dolan
When Laurence tells his girlfriend that he wants to become a woman, they embark on an epic journey.
Despite all the odds and in spite of each other, they confront the prejudices of their friends, ignore the advice
of their families and brave societal phobias. For 10 years they try to live through this transition. But will it
cost them their love? Canada's enfant terrible Xavier Dolan wrote and directed his first film, I Killed My
Mother, at the age of 19, and the now-23-year-old kicks any doubters to the curb with his third feature — his
most mature tale yet.
Mía, Argentina- US PREMIERE
Directed by Javier van de Couter
In a marginalized Buenos Aires neighborhood, Ale is a transgender woman who works as a cartonera —
eeking out a living by collecting cardboard to sell for recycling. Mía is a young woman who has recently died,
leaving only her husband and young daughter. One evening while collecting cardboard, Ale finds Mía's diary,
hastily discarded by her grieving husband. Reading about her life, Ale is transported to another world and
decides she must return the diary to Mía's motherless daughter. Thus begins a moving drama exploring the
marginalization of the transgendered and the universal desire to love and be loved.
Secret Disco Revolution, USA - US PREMIERE
Directed by Jamie Kastner
The disco era — long dismissed as a time of hedonistic excess — has been gravely misunderstood and was
actually an important time of protest. This cheeky documentary juxtaposes disco revisionists against
revealing new interviews with the era's biggest stars: The Village People, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & The Gang and
Thelma Houston. A goldmine of rarely-seen glitter-era footage, this quietly hilarious doc-satire features an
unreliable Nabokovian narrator, "reenactments" that are speculative to the point of fantasy, and a tone of
sustained irony that presents a fresh look at a well-known era while compelling audiences to question what’s
real and what's satire.
SPORTS AND ACTION
Snow Guardians, USA
Directed by Carson Garner
An impressively visual documentary capturing the tireless efforts of ski patrols at several Rocky Mountain ski
resorts to rescue rogue backcountry adventurers. For search and rescue teams responding to winter
emergencies, the imperfect science of avalanche prediction may be the only thing standing between life and
death.
Where The Trail Ends, USA
Directed by Jeremy Grant
Follow the world's top free-ride mountain bikers as they search for unridden terrain around the globe,
ultimately shaping the future of big mountain free-riding. This unparalleled story documents man's challenge
of Mother Nature and himself, showcased through a cast of colorful characters. This is the most progressive
and ambitious mountain biking ever attempted, resulting in an entertainment adventure unlike anything
experienced before.
VAMOS AL CINE
Acorazado, Mexico- US PREMIERE
Directed by "Álvaro Curiel de Icaza (a.k.a. Álvaro Curiel)"
This utterly charming film imbued with political satire and warm humor features failed trade unionist
Silverio, seen by his friends as a figure of fun whose earnest yet ultimately senseless public speeches have
made him a local laughingstock. Disheartened by his life and egged on by his drinking buddies, Silverio sets
sail for Florida on a home-made raft in search of the American Dream. His plan to claim asylum in the US,
under the guise of a Cuban national fleeing Castro’s regime, backfires when a storm blows our hapless hero
off course.
Fat, Bald, Short Man (Gordo, Calvo y Bajito), Colombia
Directed by Carlos Osuna
Lonesome, middle-aged virgin Antonio Farfán is picked on and ridiculed by coworkers and his bullying
mooch of a brother. An employee of a notary’s office, he believes that his dull personal and professional life is
the result of his looks: being fat, bald and short. One day his new boss arrives: a fatter, balder and shorter man
who – unlike Antonio – is both successful in his career and happily married. When Antonio joins a selfimprovement group, he can’t help but see that it's time for a change. The question is: How is he going to do it?
In Offside (En Fuera de Juego), Spain / Argentina
Directed by David Marqués
Diego is an Argentinean gynecologist traumatized since childhood by a bad soccer experience. Thirsty for
success, Javi is a Spanish sports agent who dreams of the winning kick that will turn his luck around. When
destiny in the form of a young Argentinian soccer star knocks on their door, circumstances unite Javi and
Diego on an obstacle course in pursuit of a much-coveted soccer contract, forcing Diego to pose as an agent of
the sport he so despises. Full of unexpected twists and turns, lies and trickery, pranks and surprises, don't
miss this uproarious comedy from Spain.
Made in China (Hecho en China) Mexico
Directed by Gabriel Guzmán
A single Mexican with no family, Marcos receives nothing for his 50th birthday except an invitation to the
wedding of the only woman he has ever loved and an extortion from the Chinese mafia to take over his
restaurant. Marcos decides to throw caution to the wind and attend the wedding. Fernando, the restaurant’s
irresponsible teenage delivery guy, joins Marcos in this cross-country road trip that will test the limits of
Marcos’ tolerance for adventure. Will they make it to the wedding on time?
Miss Inc., Canada- US PREMIERE
Directed by Orlando Arriagada
With a dozen Miss Universe and Miss World titles, Venezuela is the undisputed global beauty pageant
champion. After oil, pageants are the country’s second most important industry. Although 80% of the
population lives below the poverty line, many women spend a fortune on their appearance, and the pursuit of
the Miss Venezuela crown is followed with near-religious fervor. Exploring the backstage world of the
Venezuelan beauty industry, Orlando Arriagada's documentary asks: Is beauty manufactured at any cost?
Sonoma audiences will remember Arriagada's Beyond the Miracle (Detrás del milagro), on the rescue of the
trapped Chilean miners, which screened last year.
Rock, Paper, Scissors (Piedra, Papel, Tijeras), Venezuela- NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Directed by Hernán Jabes
A betrayal is uncovered when the paths of two feuding families cross, endangering what they love most in a
city that does not allow them even a moment's peace. Ten-year-old Luis is the unwitting catalyst to a dizzying
downward spiral of violence in the overpopulated neighborhoods of Caracas, with its chaotic streets and
congested subways. In this adrenaline-fueled crime drama from Hernán Jabes (award-winning director of
Macuro), extortion, murder and drug trafficking combine with the unpredictable outcome of the title's twohanded game of chance. This was Venezuela's official submission to the 2013 Academy Awards for Best
Foreign Language Film.
The Zebra (La Cebra), Mexico- US PREMIERE
Directed by Fernando Javier, León Rodríguez
In order to join Álvaro Obregón’s revolutionary forces, Leandro and Odón travel to the north of the country
on a zebra they find in a broken-down circus, believing it to be a "gringo horse." During their adventurous
journey they escape from women who enslave them, meet General Quesada who wants to found a New
Republic, and get lost in the desert. When they reach Obregón’s army, a colonel thinks they are Villa’s spies
and puts them to a hard test of loyalty. Named Best First Work at the Lima Latin American Film Festival.
MUSIC & ARTS
Boogie Stomp! The Movie, USA
Directed by Bob Baldori
The origins and development of Boogie Woogie music are documented in this rousing and compelling profile
of its two greatest living players: Bob Seeley and Bob Baldori. Celebrating the extraordinary talent of these
legendary piano players, their passion and mission to revitalize Boogie Woogie, through riveting
performances, fascinating interviews, foot-stompin' dance clips and tour footage from around the world.
Seeley is known to insiders as the world's best boogie and stride player and director Bob Baldori has a rich
rock'n'roll history, having played piano and harmonica with Chuck Berry since 1966. Together they hit the
road to revive America's forgotten music.
The Cover Story – Album Art, USA – WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Eric Christensen
When vinyl was golden, album covers informed our vision of the times and even of the music they contained.
As we risk losing this vital cultural artifact with the advent digital download, this film uncovers compelling
stories behind some of the most iconic images of the vinyl era: Yoko Ono talks about the Two Virgins cover;
Roger Dean describes his other-worldly Yes cover; Mouse & Kelley tell Grateful Dead tales; Victor Moscoso
brings his album covers to life; the Blind Faith cover model speaks on camera for the first time; and the
swimming Nirvana baby finally comes up for air.
My Father and the Man in Black, Canada
Directed by Jonathan Holiff
The inside story of 'bad-boy' Johnny Cash, his talented but troubled manager, Saul Holiff, and a son searching
for his father in the shadow of a legend. Putting to rest the notion that proximity to fame is always glamorous,
this personal documentary exposes how an all-consuming pursuit of success can lead to heartbreak. Firsttime filmmaker Jonathan Holiff longs for a father lost to the vagaries of Johnny Cash's career, via exclusive
film clips and seamless re-creations of a past that — however cool it seemed on the outside — left a little boy
without a father to depend upon. Winner of multiple festival awards!
Unforgettable Fire: The Story of a U2 Tribute Band, USA- WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Michelle Regina
Who hasn't dreamed of being a rock star? This rollicking documentary explores the personal lives and
challenges of Unforgettable Fire, and their 18 year legacy. The musicians morph from mundane average Joes
to rock god doppelgängers, as we get a glimpse of the band members at home, at their day jobs, and on stage
mimicking one of the most established and popular bands in the world. Filmmaker Michelle Regina challenges
the myth that cover bands are any less original than their inspirations.
Village Music: Last of the Great Record Stores, USA
Directed by Gillian Grisman
A Mill Valley cultural institution, Village Music was considered “the greatest record store in the world” until it
closed in 2007. What made it unique was proprietor John Goddard, a one-of-a-kind music historian and
collector. Featuring candid interviews and over 18 rare performances by Elvis Costelllo, Bonnie Raitt, Ry
Cooder, Sammy Hagar, Jerry Garcia, John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana, this vibrant documentary
interweaves Village Music's legendary past with the final months of its existence — telling the larger story of
the evolution of American music and the many changes the music industry has undergone through the
download era.
FAMILY
Best of Looney Tunes Cartoons, USA
Directed by Chuck Jones
The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is proud to screen this curated collection of 35 mm prints taken from
the legendary animation director's personal collection. This showcase of diverse and eclectic classics includes
Oscar-winning Dot & The Line, Ali Baba Bunny and What’s Opera, Doc? (voted the greatest animated short film
in history). Adults and children alike will be entertained by Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Road
Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Pepé le Pew, Porky Pig, Sylvester the Cat, Gossamer and many more! Chuck Jones’
daughter, Linda, will introduce the collection and be available for discussion after the screening.
Flatland: The Movie & Flatland II: Sphereland, USA
Directed by Dano Johnson
For first time ever in California these two movies will play together in an exciting animated double-feature!
Flatland: The Movie and Flatland II: Sphereland are both inspired by Edwin A. Abbott's classic novel
"Flatland". Set in a world of only two dimensions, the triangles, squares, and circles that inhabit this world
set-off on a fantastic journey that takes them to the 4th dimension and beyond. Featuring an all-star cast —
including Martin Sheen, Kristen Bell, Michael York, Danny Pudi, Danica McKellar, Tony Hale and Kate
Mulgrew — both films are sure to delight, educate and inspire audiences of all ages!
SHORTS PROGRAM
Shorts - Narrative
The Aerial Girl, USA
Directed by Anna Simone Scott
Taylor, an urban-cool teen whose life is uprooted when her father dies, moves with her mother to her
grandfather’s ranch in Wyoming. There she meets a ranch-hand who turns her life upside down when the
family secret is revealed. What lies behind the truth? Find out!
Borrando la frontera, Mexico / USA
Directed by Ana Teresa Fernández
Scaling a 30-foot ladder on a Tijuana beach, a woman in black symbolically erases the US/Mexico border by
painting the dividing fence sky blue. Her formal attire reflects American prosperity and invokes the Mexican
mourning tradition; mourning those who have died in attempting to cross this barrier to prosperity.
Broken, USA
Directed by Alexa-Sascha Lewin
What do you do when you have nowhere to go? The fissures in a couple's relationship crack wide open after
their truck breaks down on an isolated stretch of desert road, finally forcing them to engage one another and
acknowledge the emotional strains tearing at their relationship.
Chance of Rain, USA
Directed by Philipp C. Wolter
When Jason ducks into a psychic parlor to escape the pouring rain, little does he know that he will have to
make a choice which determines the rest of his life. Based on the play by Chisa Hutchinson, starring Philipp C.
Wolter, award-winning director of The Bridge, which we screened in 2011.
The Charon Incident, Canada
Directed by Allan Wylie
A private "fixer" in England about to complete his final assignment is misled by an international
pharmaceutical consortium planning to corner the market on saving lives. This short thriller of pandemic
proportions trains a retro '70s lens on the fragility of society — especially when science mixes with greed.
Chocolates, USA
Directed by Sean Laughton
Devastated by a sudden break up, a distraught Emily turns to her best friend for solace. Emily’s surprise visit
puts Jessica in a tender spot, with only a box of chocolates between them.
Cold Ground, Iran
Directed by Ali Pour Issa
Indifferent to their circumstances and unable to communicate with one another, a trapped family endures the
claustrophobic last days of their existence. Reminiscent of Tarkovsky's classic Stalker, a cryptic sense of
apocalyptic dread permeates this hard-hitting Iranian short, in which the devastation of nuclear winter casts
an unspoken shadow.
Coming Home, USA
Directed by Christopher Olness
An astronaut struggles to re-adapt to domestic life after returning from outer space a changed man, but
manages to rediscover love, friendship and beauty through surfing. One of only six of 1000 pitches selected
for production in Levi's "Go Forth — Show Us The Way" competition, in partnership with the American Film
Institute.
A Conversation About Cheating with My Time Traveling Future Self, USA
Directed by Pornsak Pichetshote
Not even the ability to time-travel can make Stan happy with his life. When a future version of himself tells
him life will get better if he cheats on his girlfriend, a heated argument with himself ensues about fate, fidelity
and love in this off-beat amalgam of sci-fi, drama and comedy.
Drag (Arrastre), Mexico / USA
Directed by Ana Teresa Fernández
An underwater dance between a woman and a white horse, re-envisioning the myth of Alexander the Great &
Bucephalus or Alex & the Black Stallion. Filmed where sacrificial virgins were once drowned, this woman is
not waiting for her prince charming on the white horse; she is determined to ride it herself.
Frame of Mind, USA
Directed by Bett Cramer
In the future, a special police team has the technology to explore a witness's repressed childhood memories.
When a serial killer returns after hiding for 15 years, the team must decide how far to push the witness’s
mind in order to catch the killer.
Metermaid, USA – WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Matthew Riggieri, Nick Kovacic
A risky gamble by a secret agent leaves his fate hanging in the air. With the clock ticking, our hero must
overcome insurmountable odds. Life or death, his time is ticking in this action-adventure short, where time
doesn't stop for anyone — even you will be checking your watch.
Pearl, USA
Directed by Mary Lambert
A California surfer dude has to choose between his beautiful but conventional girlfriend and a strange, sexy
young woman he meets named Pearl. Pearl claims to be a recording artist but seems to be homeless — or she
might be a mermaid. Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic The Little Mermaid.
The Secret Keeper, USA
Directed by Bears Fonté
A secret is a precious commodity. If a person can seal their secrets away, and live guilt free, they can truly be
anyone, do anything. In an alternate reality vaguely resembling the late '40s, the Secret Keeper provides
clients with that very opportunity. But who keeps the Secret Keeper's secrets?
Shelved, UK
Directed by James Cunningham
Two loser robots in dead-end jobs stumble upon the sinister intentions of their human bosses in this dark
comedy, which was shot in a single day, with actors replaced by fully animated robots designed by Greg
Broadmore, senior concept artist for New Zealand's Weta Workshop, whose credits include Avatar and
District 9.
Thank You Very Much Bradley Cooper (Merci Beaucoup Bradley Cooper), France- US PREMIERE
Directed by Anne-Christine Caro
Fame is the name of the game in this satire on the cult of celebrity as an enterprising actress enlists an English
teacher — who happens to be a Bradley Cooper doppelgänger — to impress industry insiders and make a
name for herself in the attention-seeking chaos of Cannes Film Week.
To Die For, USA
Directed by Bill Bradley
Struggling to cope with his wife's death, a successful restaurant owner decides to give up, and starts working
up the courage to commit suicide. Meeting a quirky woman on the beach who helps him realize the value of
his own life, he begins his journey back from the pit of despair.
Young(ish), USA
Directed by Renée Felice Smith
In the golden years, the passage of time plays tricks with the mind. During an afternoon at the beach, an
elderly couple transports back to their childhood through the help of a playground pirate ship. When their
adult children come to collect them, the cyclical nature of life is exposed.
Shorts - Documentary
A Changing Delta, USA
Directed by Andrew Quinn
Left for dead after decades of neglect, the terminus of the Colorado River in Northern Mexico was at one time
a vibrant wetland ecosystem the size of Rhode Island. Now it rarely even connects to the sea. This beautiful
film captures the effort of quite a number of concerned citizens determined to save one of the most iconic
American rivers.
Approximately Nels Cline, USA
Directed by Steven Okazaki
Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki has joined with the legendary Fantasy Studios to create an
extraordinary new film on the endlessly inventive musician Nels Cline, best known as lead guitarist of the
Chicago-based Wilco. Dubbed a "Guitar God" by Rolling Stone magazine, Cline plays everything from punk to
blues, rock to traditional, jazz to unbridled mad experimentation. Showcasing Cline's astonishing range,
fearless improvisational spirit and deep love of music, this is an enthralling exploration of creativity,
musicianship and the collaborative hard work of making music.
Cafeteria Man: Memphis Schools Makeover, USA
Directed by Richard Chisolm
After chef Tony Geraci left Baltimore, he was recruited to be the Executive Director of Memphis City Schools
Nutrition Services, which serves over 200,000 meals a day to 110,000 students. Since his arrival in Fall 2011,
he has increased participation in the Breakfast in the Classroom program, initiated an At Risk Supper Meal
Program, expanded the farm to school program to $10 million a year, and established a 100-acre farm. Tony
also was recently named one of the top 20 most influential Food Service people in the country by Food
Service Director magazine.
Call Me Ehsaan, USA
Directed by Micah Garen
A haunting look at the Afghanistan war through the eyes of Lt. Col. JD Loftis, one of only three Pashtospeaking US Airforce officers. With an increase in "green-on-blue" attacks, where Afghan security forces turn
their weapons on international military personnel, his ability to communicate with the locals may be his
undoing.
Cannubi: A Vineyard Kissed by Gods, USA
Directed by James Orr
Spanning just 37 acres in Piedmont, northern Italy, Cannubi is considered one of the world's greatest
vineyards. The highly sought-after plot of land grows Nebbiolo grapes, producing Barolo — one of the best
Italian reds. Conflict over Cannubi’s boundaries is complicated and emotionally-charged, as wineries seek to
have the coveted “Cannubi” wording on their labels. To see why this 250-year-old vineyard is so special, wine
critic James Suckling and Hollywood director James Orr (from last year's Cigars: The Heart & Soul of Cuba)
visit Cannubi to chronicle the winemakers' thoughts and passion toward their craft — and the vineyard that
fuels it all.
Creativity: The Artist & Creativity: Furnace, USA- WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Tim Wetzel
In these two shorts, local filmmaker Tim Wetzel explores the nature of creativity — what it is, where it comes
from, and how it fits into our lives. THE ARTIST features painter Elizabeth Dekker; FURNACE features glass
artisan Alex Leader. One of Tim's earlier films, Struck By Luck, was in our 2004 festival.
Dream, USA
Directed by Rich Van Every
What is your dream? Illuminating the culture of Burning Man as a catalyst for community, innovation and the
actualization of dreams. This annual pilgrimage to Nevada's Black Rock Desert offers a glimpse into the art
and culture of this dynamic community with the hope to spark a dream within you.
The DreamMaker, USA
Directed by Harry Blum
Everyone who has the privilege of being in its presence feels the power and energy of the DreamMaker, a 19foot, 1600 pound totem. Revealing the hidden spirits of the redwood tree, it speaks to us of peace and
acceptance through the symbols and spirits which represent all cultures of our world.
Dreamscapes, France
Directed by Wolfram Hissen
The director of Christo & Jeanne-Claude: The Running Fence Revisited, which we screened in 2011, follows
contemporary painter Stephen Hannock from the opening of Northern City Renaissance — commissioned by
Sting — to Venice and New York, for an intimate look into the mind and magic of one of the world's most
renowned modern artists.
Eyes in the Forest: The Portraiture of Jim Lawrence, USA
Directed by Miriam Needoba
Interweaving the startling imagery of wildlife photographer Jim Lawrence and the sublime cinematography of
experimental filmmaker Miriam Needoba with engaging soundscapes from the environment, this rare view of
British Columbia's remote Selkirk Mountains transports the audience deep into this wild and beautiful world.
The Flosgta Roar (Flogstavrålet), Sweden
Directed by Johan Palmgren
When Sartre said "Hell is other people" he might have been describing the shabby student ghetto in Uppsala.
The imposing, densely-populate student dorms also house a number of aging loners. In a nightly ritual, they
open their windows and shout their anguish to an uncaring world. Who can blame them?
How the Kids Saved the Parks, USA
Directed by Andy Miller, Robin Moore
When budget cuts doom two state parks, the South Yuba River Citizens League mentors students from nearby
Grass Valley Charter School to become activists, obtaining over 1,000 signatures and making the trek to the
state capitol to let politicians know that nature is their teacher and parks are their classrooms. Inspirational!
Inocente, USA
Directed by Sean Fine, Andrea Nix Fine
An intensely personal and vibrant coming-of-age documentary about a young artist’s fierce determination
never to surrender to the bleakness of her surroundings. Fifteen-year-old Inocente refuses to let her dream of
becoming an artist be caged by life as a homeless, undocumented immigrant. A timely snapshot of the new
face of homelessness in America – children – and a timeless story of the transformative power of art. Winner
of the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.
Past Their Prime, USA
Directed by Becca Friedman
Animals and people share many common ailments of aging, including arthritis, heart disease and dental
decay. TV's Jack Hanna is featured in this look at geriatric zoo animal care, although the real star is Colo — the
oldest living gorilla in captivity — on her 55th birthday at the Columbus Zoo.
Right There, USA
Directed by Florence Buchanan, Arthur Bijur
Teenagers who were little kids on 9/11 return to their old elementary school, just three blocks north of
Ground Zero. Ten years later, what do they remember? What are their attitudes? Not a 9/11 documentary,
but a glimpse of urban teens — thoughtful, tolerant, hopeful and wise — with a lot to teach us.
Sikh Formaggio, USA – U.S. PREMIERE
Directed by Katie Wise, Devyn Bisson, Dan Duran
Sikh immigrants from India seeking jobs familiar to their agricultural roots find work in Italy's struggling
Parmesan cheese industry. Struggling to keep their culture and traditions strong in their new home, the Sikhs
are also helping to preserve a piece of Italian culture — the art of making Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Storm, USA
Directed by Daniel Addelson
Featuring vast landscapes and melancholic soundscapes, this glimpse into the life of winemaker Ernst Storm
digs beyond the winemaking process to an exploration of universal artistic passion. Speaking candidly and
poetically, Ernst shares his fears, successes and motivation for making a wine that truly reflects the land that
it comes from.
Unicorn Sashimi, USA
Directed by Ben Knight, Travis Rummel, Nick Waggoner
Traditional Japanese taiko drummers provide the score to accompany breathtaking cinematography of skiing
and snowboarding through the snow-encrusted silver birch groves of Japan's majestic northernmost island
mountain ranges, in a hunt for the mythical Hokkaido unicorn. True poetry in motion, even if the creature
proved difficult to capture on film.
VOENA: Voices of Eve 'N Angels, USA
Directed by Derek Diaz
Director Derek Diaz and choir director Annabelle Marie return to Sonoma with their follow-up to The Journey
Makes Us One, which we screened in 2008. Join their California-based children's choir as they journey to
South Africa to spread their message of peace and hope through a cultural explosion of voice and movement.
At the International Soweto Festival, the VOENA kids sing their way into the people's hearts. Their youthful
energy shines during unforgettable performances with Mara Louw and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, along with
moments of quiet grace in a Soweto shantytown. You'll never look at South Africa the same way again!
Where Is God?, USA- US PREMIERE
Directed by Trent Anderson
After years of thinking, wondering and contemplating the answer to an interesting and perplexing question,
local filmmaker Trent Anderson (director of last year's Buskers and The Making of a River of Skulls from 2010)
interviewed people in various communities in the Bay Area and asked them, "Where is God?" What he found
might surprise you.
Shorts - Animated
Fresh Guacamole, USA
Directed by PES
Stop-motion maestro PES will blow your mind again, this time with avocados, in this Oscar-nominated followup to his stop-motion hit Western Spaghetti. An unseen cook uses a series of rather unusual ingredients to
prepare a bowl of fresh guacamole.
The Improbable Journey of Berta Benz, USA
Directed by Deborah Hutchinson, Keith English
When Karl Benz's three-wheeled "Motorwagen" is hindered by fears of new technology, his wife Berta boldly
drives over 50 miles to see her mother. The first person ever to drive a motorized vehicle any distance, this
amazing woman's journey paved the way to the future. Winner of the Myra P. Sadker Award.
Light Me Up, USA
Directed by Derek Dolechek, Ryan Walton
The Wattsons are light bulbs who manage an antique shop. Their son dreams of becoming a spotlight in the
local theater. This collaborative effort of Chapman University students combines 2D and 3D animation with
live-action backgrounds for an imaginative and heartfelt story about finding the energy to pursue your
dreams.
Paperman, USA
Directed by John Kahrs
The story of a young man in NYC relying on his heart, imagination, a stack of papers — and a little luck — to
win the girl of his dreams. 2013 Oscar-winner for Best Animated Short.