SF-NC Local Sponsors Sonoma International Film Festival All-Star Indie Panel

Despite the passing thunderstorms during the first week of spring, filmmakers, festival supporters and theatergoers enthusiastically gathered at the Sonoma International Film Festival from March 20–24 to celebrate world-class filmmaking and world-renowned food and wine. 

The SIFF program was punctuated with two private industry events, the first being a reception for filmmakers and festival judges hosted at Anaba Winery on March 22. San Francisco-Northern California Local President Kathryn Howell mingled with, among others, members Ivan Leung and Harrison Xu, who were promoting the premiere of their first self-funded project, Extremely Unique Dynamic, which they wrote, shot and directed at the height of the pandemic. Leung and Xu expressed to Howell their gratitude for SAG-AFTRA’s part in keeping the process safe and streamlined. 

The Future of Film panel took place the following morning at the Sonoma Valley Women’s Club. Co-sponsored by the SF-NC Local and Upstate California Film Commission, the discussion featured a group who moderator Rosa Bosch described as the “all-stars of independent filmmaking,” covering everything from filmmaking to distribution and exhibition: Roadside Attractions Head of Marketing Dennis O’Connor; Strand Releasing Co-Founder Marcus Hu; IndieWire Editor-at-Large Anne Thompson, Director of Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming Eugene Hernandez; Cinetic VP Documentary Projects Brian Brooks; and Sideshow Acquisitions, Marketing, Operations Jason Hellerstein.

The conversation centered around the future of film — not so much about the influence of technological advances, but rather on the importance of the audience experience and thoughtful curation of independent films. The SF-NC Local welcomed the panel’s audience with a reminder of the fertile ground of creativity that Northern California offers to filmmakers and its pool of stunt, principal and background talent.