The 28th annual Sedona International Film Festival wrapped up its week on Sunday, Feb. 27 with another successful gala to celebrate the films.
“Everyone was telling us that it’s the best lineup we’ve ever had,” Sedona International Film Festival Executive Director Patrick Schweiss said. “There was so much buzz about so many of the films that it was really hard to get the award winners because they were so close in the competition”
Despite last year’s festival that was moved to June due to COVID-19 safety concerns, the festival was back to its former February glory. Some of the most popular films, including the Audience Choice Award for Best of the Festival, “Delicious,” screened to large audiences all masked up in the theatres.
“It was nice to see a bunch of people coming back to the theaters. And we were only having a live experience. There was nothing virtual. And the people were so understanding,” Schweiss said. “They put their masks on and they came out to the theaters. We had great crowds and great enthusiasm.”
And for the first time, SIFF partnered with Yavapai College’s Sedona Campus which served as the VIP lounge for filmmakers, where meals were served, and several of the evening galas were held. It was also the venue for the media room and filmmaker workshops.
“It’s a brand new partnership with them and their staff. Dr. Tina Red and Linda Shook over at this campus were just rock stars. They welcomed us into their home,” Schweiss said. “They made it so accommodating. We were able to do everything over there, the VIP lounge, all the food, the workshops, the media lounge. It just gave people a really nice place to hang out, to network and socialize when they weren’t in the theaters watching films.”
The event was sponsored and catered by some of Sedona’s well-known and popular restaurants.
After each event, the spaces received a detailed cleaning and air circulation with the theatre’s new filtration systems.
“We are so grateful not only to our incredible film lovers that came out and supported a live festival but this community rallies around us every year,” Schweiss said. “It’s just a real outpouring of support for the film festival and we appreciate it every year. We are especially grateful now knowing that we’re still at the tail end of a pandemic. It’s been tough for everyone in the last two years and yet our sponsorship and our support has never wavered.”
All of the film winners, both directors and audience choice selections, can be found on the Sedona International Film Festival’s website at www.sedonafilmfestival. com.
