Sonoma International Film Festival Unveils 2026 Lineup

Maude Apatow, Steven Soderbergh, Julian Schnabel among directors featured at the 29th annual event in California wine country.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Sonoma International Film Festival has announced its lineup for the 29th edition of the event, featuring films in feature and documentary competition, as well as the opening, closing and centerpiece selections. The festival will kick off with the California premiere of Maude Apatow's directorial debut 'Poetic License' and close with the California premiere of 'Under the Lights' starring Lake Bell, Pearce Joza, Nick Offerman, Randall Park, and Mark Duplass. Steven Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' will serve as the centerpiece film, and artist-filmmaker Julian Schnabel will present his new film 'In the Hand of Dante' with a director Q&A.

Why it matters

The Sonoma International Film Festival is a prestigious event that brings together acclaimed filmmakers and draws attention to both established and emerging talent in the industry. The diverse lineup of films, including features, documentaries, and shorts, reflects the festival's commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of contemporary cinema.

The details

The 29th SIFF will feature 41 narrative features, 16 documentary features, and 47 shorts. Notable films in the Feature Competition include 'Ky Nam Inn' from Vietnam, 'Maspalomas' from Spain, and 'Orphan' from Hungary. In the Documentary Competition, highlights include 'Barbara Forever,' 'The Big Cheese,' and 'Kim Novak's Vertigo.' The festival will also host industry conversations and a culinary program alongside the film screenings.

  • The 29th Sonoma International Film Festival will run from March 25-29, 2026.

The players

Maude Apatow

An American actress and the daughter of actors Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow, Maude Apatow will make her feature directorial debut with the opening night film 'Poetic License.'

Steven Soderbergh

An acclaimed American filmmaker known for movies like 'Traffic,' 'Erin Brockovich,' and 'Ocean's Eleven,' Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' will serve as the centerpiece film of the festival.

Julian Schnabel

A renowned American artist and filmmaker, Schnabel will present his new film 'In the Hand of Dante' at the festival, followed by a conversation examining his career across visual art and cinema.

Lucrecia Martel

An Argentine film director and screenwriter, Martel's documentary 'Our Land (Nuestra Tierra)' is included in the festival's lineup.

Carl Spence

The Artistic Director of the Sonoma International Film Festival, Spence noted that the 2026 lineup reflects 'the full spectrum of contemporary cinema.'

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What they’re saying

“Following last year's record-setting edition, we're raising the bar again with a lineup that reflects the full spectrum of contemporary cinema — from internationally celebrated auteurs to bold genre voices.”

— Carl Spence, Artistic Director, Sonoma International Film Festival

What’s next

The 29th Sonoma International Film Festival will take place from March 25-29, 2026, showcasing a diverse lineup of films and hosting industry conversations with acclaimed filmmakers.

The takeaway

The Sonoma International Film Festival continues to cement its reputation as a premier destination for cinephiles, offering a carefully curated selection of films that span genres and styles, while also providing a platform for both established and emerging talent in the industry.