The Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival | April 15-18, 2027
A Festival That Honors Filmmakers
Documentary filmmaking is an act of courage. It takes years of your life, relentless resourcefulness, and the audacity to believe your story can change something.
We believe that too.
SDFF exists to honor that courage — with meaningful recognition, real industry connections, and audiences who came specifically to be moved by what you made. Our Academy-accredited platform has helped launch careers and spark conversations that ripple far beyond Sebastopol.
2026 Award Winners
Jury & Audience Winner:
VIVIEN’S WILD RIDE
WRITTEN, DIRECTED & PRODUCED BY VIVIEN HILLGROVE
PRODUCED BY DEANN BORSHAY LIEM, JESSICA ANTHONY, JANET COLE, AND DAWN VALADEZ
A MOVING JOURNEY OF LOSS, RENEWAL, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY “SEE.”
Jury Winner:
LEAVING THE POINT
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL FEARON
A POIGNANT REFLECTION ON COMMUNITY, CHANGE, AND A VANISHING WAY OF LIFE IN POINT REYES.
Audience Winner:
WOMEN LAUGHING
DIRECTED BY KATHLEEN HUGHES AND LIZA DONNELLY
Jury Winner:
EARLY CAME THE STORIES
DIRECTED BY JAUME CARRIÓ
AN INTIMATE ESSAY ON MEMORY, GRIEF, AND HOW WE HOLD ONTO WHAT SHAPES US.
Now More Than Ever, Stories Matter
The Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival (SDFF) is an Oscar®-qualifying celebration of short and mini-docs, bringing four inspiring days of bold storytelling, filmmaker conversations, panels, and awards to the heart of Sonoma County.
What began in 2007 as a small local gathering has grown into a global event, now receiving 700+ submissions from over 62 countries each year — while staying rooted in a passionate community of filmmakers and film lovers.
Proudly progressive in its curation, SDFF amplifies urgent voices, uplifts marginalized stories, and champions films that spark social change, justice, and personal growth.
Join us. Attend. Donate. Volunteer.
Be part of a community that believes in the power of documentary film to connect us, challenge us, and move us forward.