The Circuit

Maya Entertainment has picked up US rights to Matthew Bonifacio's "Amexicano," about a friendship between a working-class Queens man and an immigrant day-laborer. 

Pic preemed at the 2007 Tribeca fest and won the top prize at Sonoma Valley. 

Maya bills itself as the only Latino owned and managed company focusing on the US Latino audience.  They recently acquired Alex Rivera's Sundance winning sci-fier "Sleep Dealer."

"Amexicano" will roll out to major US cities on September 19 (tomorrow).

"The Village Barbershop" team at the Sonoma Late-Night Party - star Shelly Cole, producer Jason Newmark, and director Chris Ford.  "Village Barbershop" continued its fest run after winning the Audience Award at Cinequest.


Film Threat's Chris Gore with "Mohave Phone Booth" writer Jerry Rapp.


Sonoma's main theater, the Sebastiani Theater in Sonoma Plaza, which according to the map of this walkable film fest, is 164 steps from the Hospitality Lounge.

A brief report on the shoes:  When being fitted, we were regaled with stories of how they've help scoliosis victims, the athletically injured, and those wanting a firmer booty.  For us, though, they came off after 2 hours.  Rocking chair shoes and Sonoman wine don't mix well. 

At the Sonoma film fest this weekend, you may mistake the drunken swaying and rocking plaguing many filmmakers on one too many Syrah's. 

It could be true.  The fest has its own sommelier who pairs a wine with most every film screening here.  And there's no spit goblet, unless you count your popcorn.

Another reason could be the shoes.

The shoemaker, MBT, who adverts itself as "the anti-shoe," is the presenting sponsor.  And the fest has built a clever campaign around it -- renaming itself the "all walkable" fest.  Indeed, the pocket program tell you how many steps exist between venues (595 steps to the Ravenswood Theater from Sonoma Plaza).  MBT signage and tents are everywhere. 

And filmmakers are given a free pair.

So to see a filmmaker rocking back and forth in place, it may be the shoes.  The soles are curved, see.  Like a bowl.  MBT claims the curve improves posture, protects knees, tones muscles even while you're standing in place. 

While we can't speak to the shoes cure-all or snake-oil properties yet, we did wonder if a pair of MBTs can also dramatically improve the tipsy man's stumble to the hotel after too many local reds.  So we'll get a pair.  As every wine-fueled screening knocks The Circuit's balance off a few degrees, we'll make a note of the shoe's performance.