A day-by-day guide plus ‘hot picks’ for the 2019 Sonoma International Film festival

While the locally iconic 'Sonomawood' sign doesn't go up until next Wednesday, planning is in high gear for the 22nd annual Sonoma International Film Festival.

This year, the festival will screen 123 films from 31 countries at seven venues around the Plaza. Most exciting for festival director Kevin McNeely is how many filmmakers are expected to accompany their films – at least 200, he says.

DAY BY DAY

The festival opens on Wednesday, March 27 with an opening-night reception in the Back Lot Tent from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by two showings of the opening film 'Ladies in Black.'

The largest grossing film in Australia's history, 'Ladies in Black' was directed by Bruce Beresford ('Driving Miss Daisy'). The drama tackles the impact of European migration and the rise of women's liberation in Australia, as seen through the eyes of a teenage girl and the older co-workers who change the course of her life.

The film stars Julia Ormond and Rachael Taylor; the two actors, plus producer Allanah Zitserman, will attend the festival.

'Ladies in Black' will screen at 7:45 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre and at 7:45 p.m at Vets 1.

On Friday night, the Backlot Tent will be transformed for a 'From Bollywood to Sonomawood' party at 7 p.m.

On Saturday morning, the festival will host industry panel discussions in the Backlot Tent as well as a UFO Symposium in Andrews Hall of the Sonoma Community Center. The awards ceremony takes place on Saturday evening in the tent at 6:30 p.m.

The festival closes on Sunday, March 31 with a wrap party and two screenings of 'Sir,' directed by Rohena Gera, starring Ahmareen Anjum, Vivek Gomber and Geetanjali Kulkarni. Set in India, 'Sir' centers on a prosperous young Indian man who falls in love with his servant. The film is a love story thwarted by social barriers. 7:15 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre and at 7:30 p.m. at Vets I.

HOT PICKS

Beyond the opening and closing night films, the Index-Tribune has been tipped off on some of the hot tickets for 2019.

In keeping with the Bollywood theme of the Friday night party, another Indian film, 'T for Taj Mahal' is expected to draw a crowd. The film is about a restaurant owner who convinces his tourist customers to help him educate the village kids. The film's lead actress, Ali Faulkner, will answer questions after the film along with director Kireet Khurana, who is flying in from Mumbai. Thursday, March 28, 9 a.m., and Friday, March 29, 4:45 p.m., both at Vets I.

The haute couture Chinese documentary 'Yellow is Forbidden' is also garnering advanced buzz. Director Pietra Brettkelly is flying in from New Zealand. The film centers on designer Guo Pei's emergence on the international scene — starting when Rihanna wore her hand-embroidered canary yellow gown to the Met Gala in 2015. Friday, March 29, at noon at Andrews Hall and Saturday, March 30, 2:15 p.m., Vintage House.

There will only be one screening of the German film 'Balloon.' The thriller centers on the true story of two families who float over the border to Bavaria in a homemade hot air balloon to escape from communist East Germany. Its lead actor, Tom Kretschmann, will answer questions after the screening. Sunday, March 31, 4:30 p.m. in Vets I.

Critical darling 'Collisions' is a poignant film about immigration that McNeely expects to wow local audiences. Set in San Francisco, the film centers on a young Mexican girl who returns home from school to find that her mother has been taken by immigration police. The narrative tackles many of the tough issues that immigrants face in the U.S., especially in the current political environment. Thursday, March 28 at 12:15 p.m. and Saturday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at Andrews Hall.

McNeely is also excited about 'Girl on a Wave' about big-wave wind-surfing champion Sarah Hauser. The documentary features dramatic underwater photography and breath-taking aerial views filmed on location in Maui. Hauser will be in Sonoma to talk about the film. Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m. and again on Sunday, March 31 at 11:45 a.m. at Burlingame Hall.

McNeely describes 'Loro' as the festival's first 'late night/after dark' film and 'both naughty and fun.' The film centers on Silvio Berlusconi, the ex-Prime Minister of Italy and his penchant for sex, drugs and raucous parties. Adult content. Friday, March 29, 7:15 p.m. at the Sebastiani Theatre.

Not for the squeamish, 'Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story' is a documentary about a chef and outdoorsman who is maimed in a freak accident. When he arrived at the hospital, doctors described him as a dead man with a heartbeat. After 21 surgeries, and his hand, ribs and muscle mass gone, Garcia forges ahead on a bumpy road to recovery. Friday, March 29, 7:15 p.m. at Burlingame Hall and Saturday, March 30, 4:45 p.m. at Vintage House.

On a lighter note, the comedy 'Hang Time' has been described as a wine movie for millennials. Three young, attractive 20-somethings gather for a wine country weekend when the wedding they planned to attend is canceled. They find themselves at a New Zealand vineyard along with all the wine from the big day. Thursday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m. at Vintage House and Saturday, March 30 at Andrews Hall.

Complete listings and locations appear in the festival guide and online at sonomafilmfest.org. Check next week's Index-Tribune for more festival coverage.

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.