The Sarasota Film Festival and NYU Announce Joint Collaboration

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

The Sarasota Film Festival has announced NYU@SFF, our inaugural program presented in association with NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Working with student filmmakers, producers, curators, professors and alumni to create a program of films and events at this year’s festival, The SFF will provide a showcase for NYU Tisch filmmakers to share their work, ideas and vision in our community. The 14^th Annual Sarasota Film Festival runs from April 13, 2012 through April 22, 2012.

The partnership between The SFF and NYU Tisch School of the Arts presents a unique opportunity for NYU Tisch School of the Arts students to work with the SFF in multiple disciplines, from filmmaking and film curation to non-profit arts management. In return, the Festival provides an important interdisciplinary platform for members of our community and the film industry to engage with outstanding films from NYU Tisch School of The Arts students and alumni.

“We are aware of the global reach of NYU Tisch School of the Arts and we are proud that they have chosen our festival as a home for their filmmakers,” says Sarasota Film Festival Board President Mark Famiglio. “Over the past several years, we have developed a vibrant relationship with NYU Tisch School of the Arts and we are excited to announce this formal partnership," Famiglio continued.

"I am very proud of the MFA and combination MBA/MFA students who have taken on this project with such enthusiasm," says SFF Board Member and Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Adjunct Professor Robert Warren. "Their passion for programming such a thoughtful series of films will be reflected in the success of the partnership."

When responding to the question of how the festival partnership benefits the Tisch School, Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell responded, “Our collaboration with Sarasota has been an unparalleled experience for our students. It has given them the opportunity to curate a festival, as well as showcase their own stories to a new audience. We look forward to this inaugural program and many to come.”

To demonstrate the breadth of the talent of Tisch filmmakers, the previously announced SFF Opening Film, Centerpiece Film and Closing Night Film each have a Tisch alumnus instrumental in its making. The Opening Night Film, ROBOT & FRANK, is written by alumnus Chris Ford; the Centerpiece Film, DARK HORSE, is written and directed by alumnus Todd Solondz and the Closing Night film, UNDER AFRICAN SKIES, is produced by alumnus Justin Wilkes.