Yesterday, the Sonoma Film Festival announced that Papa won the Best Picture Award.
The film opens in US theaters April 29, 2016.
Papa, based on a true story, follows journalist Ed Myers (Giovanni Ribisi) on his adventure to Cuba during the time period preceding the 1959 revolution. Ed’s mission to meet his idol, the legendary Ernest Hemingway (Adrian Sparks), leads him to find Hemingway hidden away at a private estate with his wife Mary (Joely Richardson). The elusive author mentors Myers in fishing, drinking, and finding his voice, while the Cuban Revolution boils around them. In this turbulent landscape, beholding an icon in his twilight years, Myers discovers his strength, while discovering the humanity in all of our heroes.
Papa is the first Hollywood film to be shot in the country since the 1959 revolution. Cast members Adrian Sparks, Joely Richardson and Hemingway’s granddaughter Mariel Hemingway are expected to be in attendance.
“It was an absolute passion to actually make it in Cuba where everything that is in the script happened, where the finca [farm] is where [Hemingway] lived, where his boat was, all the spots from the Morro castle to Cojimar where he fished,” Yari told Hollywood Reporter. “It’s all here, so trying to duplicate it somewhere else was not very appealing.”
Last year, the film won “Best Narrative” award at the Key West Film Festival.
The Sonoma International Film Festival is presented by the Sonoma Valley Film Society, a 501(c)3 dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world, and inspiring film lovers. Most films screened at the Festival have attending filmmakers and actors making for spirited Q&As. The five-day event offers cuisine from local artisans and wine from Sonoma vintners. Renowned filmmakers, industry leaders and celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams and Danny Glover, Demián Bichir and Mary-Louise Parker have walked the festival red carpet and enjoyed its intimate ambiance.
Read more about Hemingway –> How I Found Hemingway in Havana
