The Sarasota Film Festival is Set in Motion

[Amy Warren, LMHC / WQ Mag Columnist]

The first round of announcements have been made about the Sarasota Film Festival (SFF), and, no, the rumors that John Hamm will be in attendance were not confirmed. However, the implication at the SFF kick-off party was that more big announcements are yet to be made, contingent on confirmation from the stars. Hope is not lost; handsome Hamm could still make the list! But no matter who comes to town, the SFF, scheduled for April 13-22, is sure to be a good time!

Featuring over 230 films from 30 nations, the SFF is one of the largest regional film festivals in the United States. Fourteen of the festival’s films are either World or US Premieres. Frank Langella and Jake Schreier will attend their Opening Night film, ROBOT & FRANK. Todd Solondz will be on hand to present the Centerpiece film, DARK HORSE. In addition, documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy will attend to present her new film ETHEL (an examination of the life of her mother, Ethel Kennedy). Stars Dominic Monaghan (LOST, THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) and Ashley Bell (THE LAST EXORCISM) will be on hand to present WWE Studio’s new horror thriller THE DAY.

Last year’s SFF Cinema Tropicale party at the Sarasota Yacht Club was by far the best of the year. This year, festival organizers made a wise decision to move the Friday night party which previously went by the name of Night of a Thousand Stars (or last year’s “Under the Stars”) to the Sarasota Yacht Club on April 20. This Cinema Tropicale event is a party not to be missed.  While filmmakers will get a beautiful introduction to Sarasota and party-goers don’t have to worry about partying too much mid-week, the only bad news is that there’s one less party to attend this year! On the party scene, this year's late night party on April 21 moves to Darwin's on 4th.

The other big news is that this year’s Closing Night Film will be held on the eve of closing night. This year’s Filmmaker Tribute Awards will be combined with the Closing Night Film as one event on Saturday, April 21 at the Sarasota Opera House. Since the usual slots for the actual closing night (Sunday) are left “to be announced,” one can’t help but wonder if there’s yet another big announcement just waiting to be confirmed.

Frank Langella and Todd Solondz are confirmed to participate in the SFF’s “The Conversation” series. Expect more announcements for The Conversations in the coming days. Frank Langella will also sign copies of his upcoming memoir DROPPED NAMES: Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them at Sarasota’s Bookstore 1 on Saturday, April 14^th at 11:00 AM.

If you want to get a film schedule in your hand, download the new SFF iPhone app…unless you are a Droid lover like I am, that is. What about us? It's a great idea that I wish could be shared by all.

Lines were already forming at the SFF box office that opened inside the Hollywood 20 last weekend, so make your plans early. And if you want to get in on the pre-fest hoopla, there’s a Kick-Off Party this Thursday from 5:30-7:00 in Manatee County at Tarpon Point Grill. I’ll see you there!