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Despite its small size, foreign, domestic, independent, and studio films were shown

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• The Premiere of the 1st Annual SFF
• 3 day Festival
• Two World premieres
• Six international Films
• Fest attendance averaged 2,500 patrons

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• In 2000, SFF added documentary, animated, short & student films
• The inaugural KIDSFEST program began
• Romantic comedy Seven Girlfriends was the Opening Night Extravaganza film

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• The festival nearly doubled in size since its inception, with over 120 films
• Nearly 300 films were submitted for consideration
• Star Rod Steiger headlined a special presentation of his classic In the Heat of the Night. Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne sat down with the actor to talk about Steiger's impressive career

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• Sydney Pollack was honored at the Filmmakers' Tribute Dinner
• SFF screened 67 features including 13 documentaries and 132 short films
• SFF attracted over 20,000 film enthusiasts

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• The Festival grew to 10 days
• SFF received over 600 submissions from independent filmmakers from around the world
• Films were screened in 6 categories: Industry Spotlight, Independent Spirit, Crossing Borders. No Boundaries, Family Fest and Festival of Short Films

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• Admissions skyrocketed to 40,000+ for 80 feature films, symposiums, parties & events
• Campbell Scott's OFF THE MAP, starring Sam Elliot won the Audience Award for Best Drama
• Lindsay Crystal accepted the Audience Award for Best Documentary for her film MY UNCLE BERNS

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• The Fest kicked-off with the East Coast premiere of The Thing About My Folks
• The festival presented over 150 narrative, documentary and short films in programs including Women's Voices, World Cinema, Family Films, Industry Spotlight and Independent Visions

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• Audiences of children and families exceeded 10,000 for our free Outreach and Education Programs including SFF's Moonlight Movies screenings and events
• SFF's KidsTrip and Filmmakers in the Classroom programs served over 5,000 students from 40 public and private schools in Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties

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• SFF hosted panel discussions on topics ranging from architecture in film to the role of foreign film in the American marketplace
• Special film series on faith, architecture and the Jewish experience
• SFF kicked off a fabulous new party in Lakewood Ranch - The Reel Experience at the Lake Club