The Hills of Wrath – France
Léo Boudet – Director
Christine Vernay – One of the world’s most renowned female winemakers
Barolo Boys. The Story of a Revolution – Italy
Paolo Casalis – Director
Winemaker – Marco Carinci; Tamar Chichiboshvili – Sommelier, Anfora Somelie
Wine And War – United Kingdom
Mark Ryan – Director
Michael Karam – Wine researcher, writer
The Wine Alchemist – Spain
David Moncasi Argilés – Director, Journalist
Raúl Pérez – Winemaker (one of the world’s most famous and innovative winemakers, often called the Picasso of wine)
That’s Wine! – Cyprus, Georgia
Andrey Gorovoy – Director
Lado Uzunashvili – Winemaker
A Vineyard Cinderella – Greece
Vassilis Loules – Director
Evangelos (Vangelis) Gerovassiliou – Winemaker
“The Role of Wine in World Cinema”
FILM &
WINE
Sur Lucero — Speaker and Master Sommelier
Sur Lucero is a Master Sommelier and one of the most inspiring figures in the American wine world.
This special masterclass offers a chance to explore unique wine and food pairings, revealing flavor combinations that come to life only through thoughtful matches.
Five distinct wines will be presented, each accompanied by a carefully selected bite to highlight its character and nuance.
The tasting will feature exceptional wines from both Georgia and California, celebrating the magic that happens when flavors meet in perfect harmony.
Before the masterclass, the Oscar-nominated documentary “The Best Chef in the World” will be screened. This film tells the story of French Laundry, a restaurant often described as the best in the world.
Sur Lucero worked at this very restaurant for many years, rising from a junior sommelier to a Master Sommelier. Sur himself will introduce the film — and the story is deeply personal to him.
The Secret of Flavors and the Magic of Wine
Masterclass / Tasting / Film Screening
Film Lab — American Film Showcase
As part of WINECAST, the U.S. Department of State’s American Film Showcase program will host a special film lab. Five film teams — each made up of a director, cinematographer, and sound designer — will be selected through a preliminary competition to develop short films on the theme of wine, working closely with an invited mentor.
Tutors:
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Rachel Gandin Mark — AFS Director and Head of International Programs at the University of Southern California (USC)
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Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi — Academy Award-winning director
Alongside the lab, both tutors will lead an open panel discussion on the topic “Bringing Branded Content into Auteur Filmmaking” — a chance to explore how stories can blend creative vision with new opportunities for collaboration.
“Making the World Taste Better”
Masterclass / Lecture
Speaker — Gogi Gvakharia
Speaker — Konstantin Baum, Master of Wine
Konstantin Baum is one of Germany’s youngest-ever Masters of Wine and an award-winning wine educator known for his lively approach to sharing wine knowledge worldwide.
His mission is simple: to make the world taste better by connecting people with exceptional wines, new regions, and the stories behind every bottle.
“The Role of Wine in World Cinema”
Masterclass / Lecture
Speaker — Gogi Gvakharia
The Hills of Wrath – France
Léo Boudet – Director
Christine Vernay – One of the world’s most renowned female winemakers
Barolo Boys. The Story of a Revolution – Italy
Paolo Casalis – Director
Winemaker – Marco Carinci; Tamar Chichiboshvili – Sommelier, Anfora Somelie
Wine And War – United Kingdom
Mark Ryan – Director
Michael Karam – Wine researcher, writer
The Wine Alchemist – Spain
David Moncasi Argilés – Director, Journalist
Raúl Pérez – Winemaker (one of the world’s most famous and innovative winemakers, often called the Picasso of wine)
That’s Wine! – Cyprus, Georgia
Andrey Gorovoy – Director
Lado Uzunashvili – Winemaker
A Vineyard Cinderella – Greece
Vassilis Loules – Director
Evangelos (Vangelis) Gerovassiliou – Winemaker