All Blog Posts (1,565)

On a beautiful Sarasota evening, after walking the half-block from my office to the intimate setting of the Florida Studio Gompertz Theater, sitting only feet away from five brilliant actors reading Oren Moverman’s screenplay Queer, I couldn’t help but think, “I must be in heaven.” Directed and produced by Steve Buscemi who read the lead role, Buscemi was joined by Ben…

The whole time I was watching The New Year, I couldn’t stop thinking “This can’t be the same director I spoke with who made his film for only $8000.” But it was! Director, writer and producer Brett Haley indeed made this poignant, well-made film for next to nothing. Making the film in his hometown of Pensacola enabled Haley to do what he wouldn’t have been able to do in New…

Here's the interview link - Click to listen!…

Prior to screening the film The Hooping Life, I was totally unaware of the hooping phenomenon. It turns out the toy I used to play with growing up is changing lives. The documentary gives a look at one-time troubled youngsters who found a new path through the joy and art of hula hooping.…

Film buffs, filmmakers and party lovers galore came out in droves for the Sarasota Film Festival’s Cinema Tropicale Celebration at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

The newly transformed Sarasota Yacht Club was the perfect venue with its expansive beautiful new clubhouse and…

1. You’ve adopted animals but have you ever been adopted by an animal? Here is a website where you can read stories about animals that have a happy ending. Join the Story Club. It is totally free and safe. Just by joining you will be helping to save…

It was announced at Sarasota Film Festival’s screening of The Joneses that the film has been signed to return to the Hollywood 20. Director and writer Derrick Borte was in Sarasota for Sunday’s screening of the film. Borte’s directorial film debut is quite impressive. His prior experience directing commercials was reflected in the commercialism in this film about a “family”…

Here's the interview link - click to listen! Xanadu

Xanadu is a musical comedy with a book by Douglas Carter Beane, music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, based on the 1980 cult classic film of the same name which was, in turn,…

One evening with Kevin Kline isn’t enough, so I showed up for his “In Conversation” with Tom Hall on Saturday. And I’m so glad I did! There’s just nothing like sitting in an intimate audience listening to someone you’ve admired on screen in the flesh. For over an hour, Kline chatted with artistic director of the Sarasota Film Festival Tom Hall about his work, his films,…

The 12^th Annual Sarasota Film Festival opened with a huge crowd and a huge star. Kevin Kline received a warm welcome to Sarasota with a sold-out audience. In Sarasota for a premiere of The Extra Man, Kline was accompanied by husband and wife directing team,…