The Answer Man to Open 12th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival

The Answer Man to Open 12th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival

Feature, Documentary and Short Films Also Revealed for Festival

Limited Number of Bruce Willis Tribute and Gala Tickets On Sale Now

SONOMA, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2009 Sonoma International Film Festival (www.sonomafilmfest.org) announced today this year's lineup of more than 75 films from filmmakers throughout the world. Twenty-two countries will be represented in this year's multi-national line up including: the World Premiere of STORY OF WINE from South Korea, THE GIRL FROM FRANCE from France, MATAR A TODOS from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, CIAO BELLA from Sweden, MERMAID from Russia and our Closing Night film from Canada, THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE. The 2009 Sonoma International Film Festival, which ranks among the top 10 destination film festivals, runs from April 1 -5.

A complete listing of the festival films and descriptions can be viewed, downloaded and printed at http://sonoma.bside.com/2009/buzz.

The Festival also announced it will kick off with the Northern California premiere of THE ANSWER MAN featuring Jeff Daniels and is the directorial debut of writer/producer John Hindman. The Film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. THE ANSWER MAN will be shown on April 2 at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre.

At this year's Festival, the Sonoma International Film Society is honoring Bruce Willis with a lifetime achievement award for his accomplishments. He will be formally recognized with this award at a Tribute followed by a Gala celebration. The Bruce Willis Tribute will be on Saturday, April 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building. The Gala celebration will take place at Jacuzzi Winery located at 24724 Arnold Drive/Highway 121. The Gala will feature dazzling wines by Jacuzzi Winery, fabulous cuisine from the region's top chefs, music and entertainment, as well as dancing into the night. A limited number of tickets to Tribute and the Gala celebration will be available to the public for $150, as part of the festival's renewed commitment to opening festival events to the community.

During the Film Festival, there will be two special screenings of ROBIN HOOD and PEACH GIRL accompanied by renowned concert pianist Donald Sosin, one of the world's leading silent films composers. Members of the public are also invited to attend one of the panels featuring an intimate conversation with Hollywood veteran screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, "From Script to Screen", and "The Pitch Panel." "From Script to Screen" is an opportunity to hear film industry moguls share their experiences and take questions on different ways of getting a film made and seen. "The Pitch Panel" is a unique opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and other visionaries get to present their film idea to a panel of Hollywood notables to get helpful criticism, encouragement, and advice.

In addition, local Bay Area film makers will also be showing their latest works at the festival, including FULL PICTURE by Bay Area resident Jon Bowden and CALENDAR CONFLOPTION produced by Sonoma native AJ Riebli and showcased in our shorts program. Additionally, the Festival Program Director, Cevin Cathell, has put together an absorbing documentary program including FOOD INC., JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON, PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI, UNDER OUR SKIN and SPEED ANGELS. The Festival will feature an array of films assembled from the Sundance, Toronto and Slamdance Festivals.

The Sonoma International Film Festival offers a variety of event ticket packages or individual tickets:

-- FILM FESTIVAL PASS: A Festival Pass offers a complete film-going
experience. With the Film Festival Pass, ticket holders will have
access to all regular Film Festival screenings and panels throughout
the festival week, and encores of special screenings (Sneak Preview
encore, Opening Night encore and Closing Night encore), as well as the
Awards Ceremony. The Film Festival Pass is available for $225/per
person (2-pak is available for $375).
-- DAY PASS: With a Day Pass, tickets holders will have access to all
regular films and panels at five key Festival theaters - Hollywood,
Vine, Sebastiani Theatre, House of Docs and Highway 12 Lounge. Day
Passes are available for Friday, April 3, Saturday, April 4, and
Sunday, April 5. Day Passes are available for $75/per person
-- LAST MINUTE TICKETS: Last-minute door tickets to every film screening
will be offered on a space-available basis after Pass holders are
admitted. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before desired
film screening. Last minute tickets are available for $10/per person.

Venues for this year's Festival films and panels include:
-- "The Sebastiani Theatre" (320 seats), 476 First Street East
-- "Hollywood Theaters" at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall (480 seats),
126 First Street
-- "Vine Theater" (125 seats), 126 First Street
-- "Highway 12 Lounge" at the Sonoma Community Center (220 seats), 276
East Napa Street
-- "House of Docs" at the Sonoma Valley Women's Club (120 seats), 574
First Street East

For detailed information about the festival, film schedule and to purchase festival passes, please visit www.sonomafilmfest.org or call (707) 933-2600. (Note: Passes are also on sale at the Festival Welcome Center, beginning April 1).

About the Sonoma International Film Festival

Set amidst the unparalleled beauty of the Sonoma Valley wine country, the 12th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival welcomes filmmakers and film lovers to an intimate and luxurious extended weekend of great food, fine wine, and film from around the world. The Festival, acclaimed as a "sun-drenched, wine-soaked cinematic magic carpet ride!" (IFC NEWS), invites guests to enjoy some of the year's best new independent films, specialty events, luxurious parties, wine and food pairings - and casual mingling with top filmmakers and celebrities from around the world.

Editor's Note: Information about obtaining press credentials for the
festival can be found at http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/pages/09press-accredit.
Official film stills available here

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The 2009 Sonoma International Film Festival

CONTACT: Angela Nibbs, of Maven Communications for The 2009 Sonoma
International Film Festival, +1-415-225-7090, angela@maven-pr.com

Web Site: http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/

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