Sarasota Film Festival 2010
Held annually since 1999 in Sarasota, Florida, the Sarasota Film Festival has become one of the top ten independent festivals in North America. Held in April each year, the festival’s mission is “to present unique and high-quality cinema in a festival atmosphere for the purpose of educating, stimulating and entertaining audiences.”
Here is a little bit of history on the festival:
In July 1998, international and independent film enthusiasts founded the Sarasota Film Festival, Inc. (SFF). They sought to create a balanced festival of foreign and domestic film complemented by the participation of the film and entertainment industry.
The following January, SFF launched its first festival. The “mini-festival” featured eight independent films, two premiere screenings, two educational symposiums and a gala fundraiser. Since then, SFF has grown in length (from three days to ten), attendance (from 2,300 attendees to over 45,000) and scope (from 10 screenings to hosting over 200 films and adding nationally-recognized education programs, dozens of special events, talkbacks and panels with some of the leading voices in film today). Beyond the Festival, SFF has expanded to include year-round activities like the free outdoor Moonlight Movies series in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Venice; Monday Night Movies at the newly-restored Asolo Theater; Screenwriters’ Circle; and more.
This weekend is your last chance to check out some truly amazing film work from creative minds across the world. You might even spot a celebrity or two! For more information and to view the festival schedule, visit http://www.sarasotafilmfestival.com/2010/. See you at the movies!!!
