After months of hard work and collaboration leading up to the Sonoma International Film Festival, our team finally ventured to beautiful Sonoma to enjoy this weeklong event. The weather was absolutely lovely, with warm afternoons and cool breezes to accompany wine tastings and strolls on Sonoma’s historic plaza. With more than 90 films to choose from over the span of 5 days, we were spoiled for choice.

One of the standout films of the festival was Bitter Seeds, an award-winning documentary about the farmer suicide epidemic afflicting rural farming communities all over India due to the oligarchy of expensive genetically modified seeds by an American company. Our co-founder Raghu was invited to introduce the film at both screenings; having been born in Bangalore, the subject of this film hit close to home. It was a deeply moving documentary with incendiary revelations that left viewers hungry to help. Thankfully, the filmmaker, Micha X. Peled was present to take questions after each screening. Bitter Seeds is the third documentary of the Globalization Trilogy by Peled.

Another highlight of the festival was the Secret Disco LGBT Party on Saturday night hosted by media sponsor dot429, in partnership with Out in the Vineyard. This party was designed to keep with the theme of one of the LGBT features, Secret Disco Revolution. When 7p.m. rolled around, The Backlot Tent filled with partygoers, and to our delight, people were arriving decked out in 70s garb, even though the invitation hadn’t requested guests to dress in costumes. Fluffy Afro wigs, sequined suits and retro tie-dyed accessories were proudly on display; some disco-era enthusiasts even rolled around the party on rollers skates! It was truly a spectacle to behold. Cocktails flowed freely from hospitality sponsor Shellback Rum, while the disco ball overhead twinkled to the beats of classics like Abba, The BeeGees and of course, Michael Jackson. Not to be left behind, our team joined in the fun and boogied the night away.

After an unforgettable week in Sonoma with the ever-hospitable festival committee, we are counting the days until next year’s 17th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival in April 2014.