Spanish Film "Maspalomas" Bags Grand Jury Award at 29th Sonoma Int. Film Festival

The 29th edition of the Sonoma Intl. Film Festival came to a close on March 29, with the Spanish film “Maspalomas” securing the Grand Jury Award for the best narrative feature. The directors of the film, Aitor Arregi and Jose Mari Goenaga, received high praise from the jury for their "genuine and elusive portrayal of an old man dealing with personal and physical difficulties during the early stages of the COVID pandemic" in this "sophisticated and emotive queer drama.”

Over the course of five days, SIFF showcased 104 films from 37 nations, combined with conversations with filmmakers, panel discussions that had illustrious guests like Barry Jenkins and Lulu Wang, and culinary standouts in the scenic town of Northern California. Julian Schnabel, filmmaker and artist, was present to receive the Sonoma Intl. Film Festival Visionary Artist Award, followed by a screening of his film “In the Hand of Dante,” featuring renowned guest Tom Waits.

Carl Spence, SIFF's artistic director, remarked on the festival's record-breaking attendance and ticket sales, underscoring Sonoma's robust demand for audacious, international cinema and immersive cultural events. "The 2026 SIFF has genuinely been an eminent community celebration of films, food, wine, and fun, characterized by crowded screenings, dynamic filmmaker interactions, and unparalleled festival ambiance.”

The Special Jury Prize in Directing was awarded to Marie-Elsa Sgualdo for “Silent Rebellion” (Switzerland), noted for the film's "acute depiction of a virtuous teen in the WWII era Europe." The Grand Jury Award for documentary feature prize was won by “State of Firsts” by U.S. director Chase Joynt.

Moreover, SIFF screened 47 short films in its official selection, which vied for three awards. Al Pattanashetty's “A Very Normal Seeming Man” bagged the Grand Jury Award: Live Action Short, while “Voices From the Abyss” by Irving Serrano and Victor Rejon won the Documentary Short honors. The Animated Short prize was taken by “Two Black Boys in Paradise,” directed by Baz Sells.

The festival commenced with Maude Apatow’s “Poetic License,” a hit from the Toronto Intl. Film Festival, and the Centerpiece Film, Steven Soderbergh’s “The Christophers,” starring Ian McKellen, clinched the Stolman Audience Award for Best Film. The A3 Audience Award for Best Documentary was given to “Jane Elliott Against the World,” directed by Judd Ehrlich. Other winners include the Special Mention for Cultural, Environmental and Community Impact for “Abalone Stories: Loss, Connection, Renewal,” and a Special Jury Mention for Directing for “Domingo Familiar,” directed by Gerardo del Razo.