Filmmakers Arrive for the Sarasota Film Festival

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

Sarasota Film Festival's Cinema Tropicale Celebration at the Sarasota Yacht Club was quite the celebration, giving  filmmakers a perfect introduction to our beautiful community. Film-lovers enjoyed spectacular views and food while mingling and dancing the night away. Now this event was the kind of party for which the Sarasota Film Festival is known! The parties continue this weekend with Friday's Night Under a Thousand Stars -  Beach Edition at the Ritz-Carlton Member Beach Club and Saturday's Filmmaker Tribute at the Sarasota Opera House followed by the After Party at Ceviche.

 

Lots of filmmakers and actors are rolling into town as the weekend approaches. Geena Davis will be honored at Friday's Luncheon with Geena Davis at the Sarasota Yacht Club as well as the Filmmaker Tribute. Christopher Plummer receives the Cinema Master Award and Sarah Green receives the Producer's Award at the Tribute. Both Christopher Plummer and Geena Davis will be part of this year's "In Conversation..." series over the weekend.

 

One of the best things about the festival is the opportunity to see a film followed by a Q&A with the actual filmmakers. These filmmakers are just a few of the filmmakers attending the festival who are expected to give their audiences an opportunity to ask questions immediately following the screenings of their films:

 

Director Katie Galloway and Producer Kelly Duane de la Vega -- Better This World (I loved this film!)

Director Curt Wallin and Producers John Greene and Geralyn White Dreyfous -- Boys of Bonneville:  Racing on a Ribbon Salt

Director Ruben Amar -- Checkpoint

Director Joe Rees, Co-founder of Target Video Jill Hoffman-Kowal, Producer Jackie Sharp -- Target Video Series (LA, NY/Europe and San Francisco)

Actress Josylyn Jensen -- Without

Director Greg Takoudes -- The Jonestown Defense (filmed in Sarasota)

Director Josh Freed -- Five Weddings and a Felony (recommended)

Director Kim Snyder -- Welcome to Shelbyville

Director/Producer M.T. Silvia -  Atomic Mom

Director James Johnson of Knife and Producer of Pioneer, Producer Alec Jhangiani - Knife

Director Mike Mills and Actor Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Actress Geena Davis -- Miss Representation (great reviews already)

 

And while you're waiting for me to stop watching films and get back to the business of giving relationship advice, stop by local filmmaker Shaun Greenspan's Relationship Advice booth outside the Hollywood 20 on the way to see his short film, The Breakup. Enjoy the weekend. It's going to be a good one at the Sarasota Film Festival!