Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival – Opening Day 2019

Opening Day includes:

Peer Pitch:

Thursday, March 28, 10 AM – 4 PM @ Painting and Drawing Room – SCA
Now in its eighth consecutive year at the festival, this filmmaker-centered program has expanded to two days due to growing demand. Participants will develop skills and comfort in verbally presenting their projects and trailers or scenes in a safe space where they can hone their skills in pitching their film project.
Pre-registration required

Opening Night: Harvest Season

Thursday, March 28, 7PM – 9 PM @ Robert Brent Auditorium – SCA
Harvest Season reveals the lives of those who work behind the scenes of the California wine industry during one of the most dramatic grape harvests in recent memory. The film follows the stories of Mexican-American winemakers and the migrant workers who are essential to the wine business, yet rarely recognized for their contributions. Their stories unfold as over the course of a harvest, which comes to a close as wildfires unexpectedly ravage Napa and Sonoma counties, threatening the livelihoods of small farmers and winemakers who are already grappling with a growing labor shortage, shifting immigration policies and the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. An often overlooked story of local winemaking.

General Info about Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival

This is our 12th year of exhibiting the non-fiction work of independent filmmakers. Each film we program has characters of extraordinary presence, whether animate or not, and compelling stories. Each is a signature of excellence in craft. SDFF exists to fulfill filmmakers’ desires to be seen, to be heard and to have an opportunity to make a difference. We are known for programming work for a discerning audience that enjoys being challenged as well as entertained. Frequently there are discussions with the filmmaker after the showing.