2009 Sonoma International Film Festival Announces Attendance

2009 Sonoma International Film Festival Announces Attendance

2009 tickets sales increased 60 percent from last year

SONOMA, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Twelfth Annual Sonoma International Film Festival, presented by Wall Street Journal, today announced a total attendance of 18,700 at the 2009 Festival. Festival organizers estimated a ticketed attendance of over 1850 to the 64 screenings and 3 panel discussions throughout the 5-day Festival. The festival walk up tickets sales increased 60 percent from the 2008 Festival attendance numbers. The Festival was concentrated in Sonoma's downtown Plaza district and ran from April 1-5.

"This year, one of our key goals for the Festival was to further enhance the audience experience," said Louisa Percudani executive director of the Festival. She continued, "We took some traditional steps like lowering ticket prices and centralized screenings that certainly helped. But the real key to this year's success was incorporating all the wonderful wine, food and sunshine we have here in Sonoma into a true 'celebration of the senses' you just can't find at any other film festival. "

2009 Sonoma International Film Festival Factoids:

-- 103 Filmmakers attended the Festival.
-- Of those 103 filmmakers, 23 directors attended.
-- 200 volunteers supported this year's Festival.
-- Of all the feature film directors, Cheoh-ha Lee director of STORY OF
WINE had the longest trip to the Festival. He traveled all the way
from Seoul, South Korea, and was thrilled to watch his screening among
so many wine lovers.
-- Musical acts performed throughout the Festival including The
Fondettes, Rich Little Band, Guitarist Eric Symons and DJ Kid
Kameleon.
-- Wine was in abundance with more than 24 Sonoma Valley wineries proudly
pouring glasses participated in this year's Festival including Buena
Vista Carneros Winery, Gloria Ferrer, Kenwood Vineyard, Highway 12
Vineyards and Winery, and Jacuzzi Winery.
-- Festival-goers feasted on delectable bites from more than a dozen
Sonoma Valley Chefs that participated, including Catherine Driggers,
Justin Everett, Dana Jaffe, Chef Janine DeFalvo and Chef John Toulze.
And, Bruce and his new wife shared the spotlight with some of Sonoma's
own stars - epicurean of course. They included: The Olive Press, the
girl & the fig, Joel Baecker Catering, Chef Adair Catering, Sift, and
a Cupcakery.

-- Apparently, Sonoma knows how to throw a party as more than 10 official
fetes were thrown in association with the Festival, including one with
a fire dancer. No count was made of the spontaneous after parties
throughout the town.

The 13th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival will be held April 7-11, 2010. Information about all Sonoma International Film Society events can be found at www.sonomafilmfest.org.

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, pairing great food, fine wine and more than 64 new independent films from around the world. The Sonoma International Film Festival, which IFC News acclaimed as a "sun-drenched, wine-soaked cinematic magic carpet ride," 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.

About the 2009 Sonoma International Film Festival Sponsors

At the premier level of sponsorship, the festival is being brought to the community by long-time supporter Comcast/IFC. Comcast/IFC is joined by WineCountry.com and Sonoma Valley Sun. Major sponsors include: City of Sonoma, THX, Kearsley, ZABIT Communications and AT&T The Real Yellow Pages. Supporting sponsors include: Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, Kenwood Vineyards, Peet's Coffee & Tea, YELP, Sonoma Valley Bank, Frank Howard Allen Realtors - The Wine Country Group, Consulate General of Sweden, Highway 12 Vineyard and Winery, B-Side Entertainment, Lexis Hybrid Living and New Belgium Brewing.

About the Sonoma International Film Society

The Film Society presents year-round events and programs, which celebrate the senses - the best in film, food, wine, music and art, center stage in Sonoma Valley. Membership is all-inclusive for monthly special event, the Cinema Series, and each spring, the Film Festival where the best of independent filmmaking is showcased. In 2003, the Film Society founded the Student Works Program with a vision toward empowering young filmmakers. Through dozens of weekend and after school film workshops, both at the middle and high school level, hundreds of students have be immersed in the process of filmmaking under the direction of film teacher Peter Hansen. The Film Society, through its members and granting organizations, have contributed state-of-the-art equipment, staffing and scholarships to this program and an opportunity for students to present their films at this world-class festival. For more information about becoming a Film Society member, visit www.sonomafilmfest.org or call 707-933-2600.

Source: Sonoma International Film Festival

CONTACT: Angela Nibbs, maven communications, +1-415-225-7090,
angela@maven-pr.com, for Sonoma International Film Festival

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

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