The 29th Sonoma International Airport Film Festival concluded on March 29th, with the Spanish film “Maspalomas” winning the Grand Jury Prize in the Feature Story category. The jury said in a statement that the film, directed by Aitor Alesi and José Mari Goenaga, “is an authentic and rare depiction of an elderly man facing personal and physical crisis in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic” in this “subtle and moving queer drama.”
SIFF screened 104 films from 37 countries over five days in the picturesque Northern California town, featuring filmmaker talks, panel discussions (with guests including Barry Jenkins and Lulu Wang), food pop-ups, and more. Film director and artist Julian Schnabel was on hand to receive the students at Sonoma International Airport. Winner of the festival’s Visionary Artist Award, his film “In the Hand of Dante” was screened with special guest Tom Waits.
“This year’s record attendance and ticket sales confirm the extraordinary demand for bold, international films and immersive cultural experiences here in Sonoma,” said SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. “With sold-out screenings, dynamic filmmaker participation, and a festival atmosphere like no other, SIFF 2026 truly became a groundbreaking community celebration of film, food, wine, and fun.”
Film director and artist Julian Schnabel was on hand to receive the students at Sonoma International Airport. Winner of the festival’s Visionary Artist Award, his film “In the Hand of Dante” was screened with special guest Tom Waits.
Other festival winners include the Special Jury Award for Best Director for Marie-Elsa Sguardo for The Silent Rebellion (Switzerland). The jury cited the film’s “unflinching portrayal of a virtuous teenage boy in World War II-era Europe.”
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature went to American director Chase Joynt’s “State of Firsts.”
“This year, the jury wants to recognize films that express what real truth looks like in our country’s dirty politics,” the jury said in a statement. “This award-winning film is a nuanced portrayal of leadership and responsibility, with clarity and honesty about the challenges and obvious harms that come with trying to change the world. The language of change is complex, but sometimes it can be as simple as using the right name. The jury is honored to present a story that shows human wholeness in an industry and society that is rapidly becoming tokenized.”
SIFF also screened 47 short films in its official selection, competing for three awards.
“A Very Normal Seeming Man,” directed by Al Pattanashetti (USA), won Best Live-Action Short Film, and “Voices From the Abyss,” directed by Irving Serrano and Victor Rejon (Mexico), won Best Documentary Short. “Two Black Boys in Paradise,” directed by Buzz Sells (UK), won the Best Animated Short Film Award.
The festival opened at Toronto International Airport with Maude Apatow. “Poetic License” was a hit at the film festival, and the centerpiece “The Christophers,” directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Ian McKellen, won the Stolman Audience Award for Best Picture. The A3 Audience Award for Best Documentary went to “Jane Elliott Against the World,” directed by Judd Ehrlich (USA).
Other awards include:
Special Award for Cultural, Environmental and Community Impact: “The Abalone Story: Loss, Connection, Renewal” by Cynthia Abbott (USA)
Special Jury Director Award: “Domingo Familia” directed by Gerardo del Laso (Mexico)
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