“Magic of Olive Culture” WCFF Fundraiser Event April 14

Wine Country Film Festival
SPRING FUNDRAISER
707-935-3456
The Magic of Olive Culture
Olive Trees and Olive Oil Lecture, Tasting and Film Featuring:
Carol Drinkwater – Best Selling Author, Actress and Filmmaker The event includes a reception, book signing, Carol Drinkwater’s lecture about olive cultivation and how to build a successful organic enterprise, and the US pre- miere of one of her five-part documentary film series entitled The Olive Route.

Marvin Martin – Celebrity Chef, Olive Oil Expert will conduct a Special Olive Oil Tasting and Sensory Evaluation of Olive Varieties and Olive Oils.

Bill Snowden – of Snowden Olive Orchards in Napa (www.snowdenolives.com), is also an award-winning landscape architect who will talk about tricks he has learned to create beautiful trees, and the distinctions of the olive varieties.
Sunday April 14, 2pm – 6pm

VJB Vineyards & Cellars

60 Shaw Ave • Kenwood, Ca.
Tickets: $40 in advance. $45. at the door.

Buy Olive Event Tickets Now. Buy at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/353015

www.wcff.us or call 707-935-3456

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Call For Entries!

Wine Country Film Festival (Santa Rosa Int. Film Fest) Film Entries for 2013 are NOW OPEN. WE HAVE REDUCED OUR ENTRY FEES SO ENTER NOW!

Click HERE to submit through Withoutabox

Click HERE TO SUBMIT your film Directly. Download the Entry Form :  WCFF / SRIFF_Entry_Form_2013  Get your Entry Form or Call us for Details. +1 707-935 3456

The 27th Annual WINE COUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL (also know as the Santa Rosa International Film Festival) brings the best cinema from around the world to the Wine Country of Sonoma County, California. Keep an eye on this site and subscribe to our Facebook page to get updates regarding next year’s festival.

Each year for the last quarter century the Festival has featured impressive lineups of films and filmmakers, many of which have gone on to great success at other film festivals in the US and abroad, and have received commercial successes.  The Festival is proud to be the recipient of praise regarding its special programming.

 ”From Hitchcock to Coppola, Santa Rosa has served as a picturesque setting for many films. We were thrilled to host the  Film Festival. The Festival brought visitors to Santa Rosa from all over California, many of whom were experiencing for the first time the wonderful array of activities, wineries and restaurants they could visit between film screenings. We look forward to hosting this event  into the future.”
Santa Rosa Mayor Ernesto Olivares

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL – MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Located just 50 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wine Country Film Festival (aka Santa Rosa International Film Festival) is wine country’s FIRST – the area’s original, largest, and longest running film festival. It features more spectacular Festival screenings in wine caves and under the stars – Films al Fresco™ – than any other festival in North America.

The Festival, is celebrating its 27th Anniversary in 2013. The Festival is dedicated to bringing the finest international cinema to the community and providing a cultural resource for filmmakers, artists and the public at large. We believe that film can broaden our appreciation of the arts, engender social conscience, create international cultural understanding and expand multi-cultural awareness.

A top tier event, the festival is leisurely paced and friendly with time to enjoy a wonderful recreation region.

There’s nothing rote about our Festival. Every year we are amazed by the quality of films that are submitted for consideration. It is your film and your voice that create the tone of each edition.

There are seven sections: World Cinema, U.S. Cinema, Arts in Film, Music in Film, CineLatino, Cinema of Conscience (humanity and social issues), and EcoCinema. We have, in addition, Special Sections of FOOD ON FILM and Paseo de España.  We program Shorts, Documentaries, and Features.

Share your passion and unique vision

Share your passion and unique vision with us.  At the Festival your film will be received by an enthusiastic public. You may be invited to participate in Master Classes that are lively and informative. Often we feature Filmmaker personalized tours to wineries and local attractions.

Many supporting events bring a greater appreciation to the art of filmmaking such as performances, readings, exhibitions of paintings, sculpture and photography. Films are screened in local venues and outdoors under the stars in spectacular wine country settings such as the Grand Room in the wine Caves of Deerfield Ranch Winery.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Over the years the Festival has hosted and Tributed In Person such luminaries as Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Jonathan Demme, Richard Shepard, Philip Kaufman, Ron Shelton, Rita Moreno, Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper, Theresa Russell, Anthony Edwards, Vilmos Zsigmond, Chuck Workman, Elliott Gould, Teri Garr, Richard Harris, Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, Patrick Swayze, international filmmakers Percy Adlon, Mika Kaurismaki, Nana Djordjadze, Anant Singh, Eliseo Subiela and Gregory Peck to our unique cinema event.
Our purpose is, through film and the arts, to recognize their talents, their humanity, their compassion, and their sense of justice to create a more equitable world.

Your Film can fit into one or more of our Special Categories.

First Feature
Open to all filmmakers worldwide. First time director of feature length film (60 minutes or more). Your feature length film will fall into one of our categories: Arts in Film, U.S. Cinema (produced in the U.S.) Music in Film, Cinema of Conscience, World Cinema, EcoCinema, Food On Film, Paseo de España or CineLatino.

Documentary
Your documentary will be included in one of our categories: Arts in Film, U.S. Cinema (produced in the U.S.), Cinema of Conscience, World Cinema, EcoCinema, Food On Film, Paseo de España or CineLatino. Please indicate the appropriate category for your film entry. Thanks!

Arts In Film
Arts In Film are projects made about the “Arts.” Included are: literature, opera, dance, painting, photography, music, filmmaking, culinary arts & wine, theatre, sculpture,etc.

Cinema of Conscience
Features, docs and shorts that you made regarding human rights, civil liberties, social justice and/or issues you feel passionate about. If your film is about the environment go to EcoCinema. We favor films that have artistic merit as well as relevancy.

Shorts
Your short (30 minutes or less) will be included in one of our categories: Arts in Film, U.S. Cinema (produced in the U.S.) Music in Film, Cinema of Conscience, World Cinema, EcoCinema, Food On Film, Paseo de España or CineLatino. Please use the appropriate category for your short film entry. Thanks!

U.S. Cinema
For Independent films (shorts, docs, features, animation) that are produced in the U.S. All lengths and all genres considered. Remember, you can indicate more than one category.

World Cinema
For features, shorts, docs, animation produced outside of the U.S.  This is our Specialty! We seek out films that express what we call “The Terroir of Cinema”, that is… films that reveal something of the roots of the filmmakers land and culture.

It is through film and the arts that we experience Cultural Understanding and Appreciation, key elements to a peaceful world.

All languages are welcome, as long as they have English subtitles.

EcoCinema
Eco films (features, shorts, docs, animation) have an environmental message. In some way they should increase public awareness of environmental problems and solutions and inspire personal action. Or the environment is in some way a “character” in your film. In this section we include “Food On Film” (particularly ‘sustainable’ foods and farming) although Culinary Arts are also considered to be in the “Arts In Film” section.

CineLatino
CineLatino is a showcase of films (shorts, docs, features, animation) from Latin America, Cuba, Portugal, and South America. We are interested in cultural diversity. We are interested in all genres. Spain has a Special Sub-section known as PASEO DE ESPANA and Catalan films are part of CATALAN FOCUS.

Paseo de España
PASEO DE ESPANA IS A CELEBRATION OF IBERIAN CINEMA FROM, SPAIN AND BASQUE COUNTRY. ALL GENRES ARE WELCOME. CATALAN FILMS fall under our CATALAN FOCUS Special Section.

FOOD ON FILM
This section includes films that are usually touching on other categories as well, but seeing that we are in one of the great culinary areas of the world, we showcase films that include Food or Wine as themes, and we frequently have cooking demonstrations that accompany the screenings!  DO YOU COOK? If you like, you too can do a cooking demo!  Let us know!  It is lots of fun.

Awards include (partial list)

BEST OF THE FESTIVAL

BEST FIRST FEATURES for Best International and Best US First time directing efforts.

HUMANITARIAN AWARD which is given to an individual who has significantly impacted our world – Past recipients include Nobel Peace laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama Jose Ramos Horta (“The Diplomat”) and Jody Williams (“Disarm”) and to Martin Sheen for his extraordinary contributions to social justice and peace.

The DAVID L. WOLPER AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY in various categories.

The JACK LONDON SPIRIT AWARD

AUDIENCE AWARDS for Best Shorts and Features.

GAIA Awards for Best Eco films

The CHARLIE CHAPLIN AWARD to an exceptional multi-dimensional film artist.

The Festival includes a host of Special Events that include culinary events, art exhibitions and Life Achievement Awards and Tributes. Past honorees include Kirk Douglas, Richard Dreyfuss, Nicolas Cage, Elliott Gould, Dennis Hopper, David Carradine, Rip Torn, Richard Shepard, Anthony Quinn, Rita Moreno, Gregory Peck, Dudley Moore, Lynn Redgrave, Jonathan Demme, Philip Kaufman, Ernest Borgnine, Teri Garr, Harry Shearer, Richard Harris and other notables.

Other Special Awards and Award Sponsors may be issued at the discretion of the Festival Directors.

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2012 Awards

26th Wine Country Film Festival
Santa Rosa International Film Festival
2012 Award Winners

BEST OF THE FESTIVAL
Tom Shu-Yu Lin’s STARRY STARRY NIGHT (Taiwan / China / Hong Kong)
and

Veit Helmer’s BAIKONUR (Germany / Russia / Kazakstan)
======================

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
Geoffrey Enthoven’s COME AS YOU ARE (Hasta La Vista) (Belgium)

==================
JACK LONDON SPIRIT AWARD
Short
Bernadine Santistevan’s WOLF DOG TALES

=============
BEST INTERNATIONAL  DOCUMENTARY
Thomas Riedelsheimer’s GARDEN IN THE SEA (Germany / Mexico)
for its insight into Art and Ecology
=================
BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY
Nezih Unen’s LOST SONGS of ANATOLIA (Turkey)
for its deep exploration of ancient Music and Culture
==============================

SPECIAL AWARD FOR ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT
Auraeus Solito’s BUSONG: PALAWAN FATE

===================
BEST OF VETS FEST
Thomas Lee Wright’s LONG RIDE HOME
==============

BEST FIRST FEATURE
International First Dramatic Feature
Javier Van De Couter’s MIA (Argentina)

=================
BEST FIRST FEATURE – US Dramatic
Toby Poser, John Adams’s RUMBLESTRIPS
===========================
BEST FIRST FEATURE – US Documentary
Michael Altman’s AMERICAN SONGWRITER

===================

THE TERROIR OF CINEMA AWARD
Auraeus Solito’s BUSONG: PALAWAN FATE

==============
BEST DIRECTOR
Robert Guédiguian for SNOWS of KILIMANDJARO (France)
(Les neiges du Kilimandjaro)
==============

SPECIAL Festival Prize
INSPIRED WORLD CINEMA AWARD
Tony Gatlif’s INDIGNADOS (The Outraged) (France)

==============
BEST ACTOR
Ricardo Darin in Sebastian Borensztein’s
CHINESE TAKEAWAY (Argentina)
==============
BEST ACTRESS
Martina Gedeck in Helma Sanders-Brahms’ CLARA (Geliebte Clara) (Germany / France / Hungary)
==================

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Will James Moore’s SATELLITE of LOVE
==============

ARTS IN FILM AWARDS

Best Arts In Film Documentary – Feature US for Cinema
Chris Kenneally’s SIDE BY SIDE
====================
Best Arts In Film Documentary – Mid Length
Rob Henry’s CHASING THE LIGHT

===============
Best Arts In Film Documentary – International Feature
Sylvie Moreaux & Enrique Carballido’s ESPERANZA (Hope) (Paraguay)
===========================

Best Arts In Film Documentary – International Mid Length
Isaki Lacuesta’s THE CLAY DIARIES
=============================
Best Arts In Film Documentary – International Short
Antonio Gomez Olea’s GUILLERMO OYAGUEZ MONTERO

======

Special Dance Film Award – Arts In Film
Alain Deymier’s DANSE la DANSE
==============
==============
Grand Prize CINE LATINO
Dramatic
Javier Van De Couter’s MIA (Argentina)

==============
MONDAVI FILM AWARD FOR PEACE AND CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
Documentary
Dani Menkin & Yonatan Nir’s DOLPHIN BOY (Israel)
==================

CULTURAL DISCOVERY AWARD
Susan Morgan Cooper’s MULBERRY CHILD

==============

BEST DOCUMENTARY – FOOD ON FILM
Monika Treut’s THE RAW & THE COOKED (Germany / Taiwan)

===============

BEST FOOD ON FILM – Documentary Short
Brian Zust’s PLINY
===============

BEST FOOD ON FILM AWARD – Short Drama
Beto Nahmad’s BON APPETITE (Spain)

================
==============
WCFF KINO VINO AWARD

Fiona Cunningham-Reid’s WINE, WOMEN & FRIENDS (Les Cabotines Le Vin Feminin)
==================

BEST ANIMATION Feature
Jean-Francois Laguionie’s LE TABLEAU – The Painting (France)
==============

BEST ANIMATION Short
Bernadine Santistevan’s WOLF DOG TALES

==============
BEST CINEMA OF CONSCIENCE
International Documentary
Sean McAllister’s THE RELUCTANT REVOLUTIONARY (UK / Yemen)
================
BEST CINEMA OF CONSCIENCE
International Drama
Christine Francois’s THE SECRET of the ANT CHILDREN (France, Benin)
(Le Secret De L’Enfant Fourmi )
==============
BEST CINEMA OF CONSCIENCE
Dramatic Short International
Olesia Shewchuk’s BREAKING GROUND (Canada)
===============

BEST CINEMA OF CONSCIENCE  US Documentary
Freida Lee Mock’s G-DOG

=============

BEST CINEMA OF CONSCIENCE
Dramatic Feature Domestic
Ramon Hamilton’s SMUGGLED
=================
FIRST AMENDMENT AWARD
Mai Iskander’s WORDS OF WITNESS (US / Egypt)

==============
Best CINEMATOGRAPHY

Jurgen Jurges for CLARA (Germany)
and
Jake Pollock for STARRY STARRY NIGHT (Taiwan, China, Hong Kong)
=============
BEST SCORE
Helma Sanders-Brahms’ CLARA (Geliebte Clara) (Germany / France / Hungary)
and
Tony Gatlif’s INDIGNADOS (The Outraged) (France)
================
BEST EDITING – Documentary
Phillip Gessert  for AMERICAN SONGWRITER
================
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC
Danny Darst for AMERICAN SONGWRITER
================
“PAGE to SCREEN” AWARD
for Best Adaptation from Literature
John Alan Simon for RADIO FREE ALBIMUTH
====================
“Principia” Award
For Science in Cinema
Chris Fure’s SARAYA’S UNIVERSE
==============
SPECIAL “GAIA FILM” AWARD for Best Eco Cinema Film
Gary Marcuse’s     WAKING THE GREEN TIGER: The Green Movement Rises In China

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Join The Team!

Put your PASSION to work and help PUT ON THE SHOW!

To find out HOW TO PARTICIPATE email us or call 707~935~3456
Include your NAME, eMAIL & PHONE, DESIRED POSITION, EXPERIENCE AND AVAILABILITY.
Email wcfilmfest@aol.com and we will get back to you very soon.
Thank you for your support.

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