Outreach & Education

The breadth and depth of the Sarasota Film Festival's Outreach and Education Department is unprecedented. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and entertain the youth of our community.  We are successful in promoting creativity, collaboration, and community involvement.  We are proud to have won three grants from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

Each year, O&E reaches thousands of students through many free filmmaking, film review, screenwriting, and movie screening programs both in and out of the classroom.  Students from the elementary level through the collegiate level can participate in programs such as:

• *New* Kids Reel Life Studio : A filmmaking program for elementary students with focuses ranging from documentary production to st op animation
• *New* Reel Life Studio Sarasota : A documentary, narrative, and special interest filmmaking program for high school students 
• Junior Jury : A film screening and critique program with film jury training for high school students
• *New* Classroom Critic : A film screening and written review program for middle school students
• Youth Screenwriters Circle : An introductory screenwriting course and workshop for high school and middle school students
• *New* Youth Screenwriting Workshop : A one-day workshop for middle school and high school students for their existing scre enp lays-in-progress
• Kids VIP Trip : A film screening program that facilitates weekday field trips to the theatre for students in all grade levels
• Filmmaker Spotlight : A film screening, lecture, and Q&A program that provides college and high school students access to visiting filmmakers
• Young Filmmakers Showcase : A film competition for students age 18 and under that showcases their short film productions

To celebrate their accomplishments in the spotlight, students and families are invited to kick-off the festival at the Hollywood Nights Student Cinema Showcase-- an annual, highly anticipated youth block party complete with screenings, performances, award ceremonies, food, and live entertainment!

STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE 2010 youthFEST HERE!
Check out O&E 411! to see what everyone's saying about youthFEST! 

                                                                                                             

Other Outreach and Education projects in development include:

In order to bring the Sarasota Film Festival to those who may be unable to attend in person, festival-related student programs and various classic film series will travel to local retirement communities and assisted living centers.

VIRTUAL CANNES

SFF members, students, and the Sarasota community can be a part of this year's Cannes Film Festival with this interactive exhibit. Showcased in local venues, the 24-hour all-access satellite coverage from Virtual Cannes will include daily workshops, panels, press conferences, photo calls, and Red Carpet screenings. While the program is underway in Sarasota, a handful of lucky student interns will be hosted at the festival in France.

FLORIDA FILM CONSORTIUM

The Outreach and Education Program continues its expansion into the community with the formation of The Florida Film Consortium. The FFC’s mission is to both appreciate and advance independent film and filmmaking through the fortification of the budding statewide film community. The Consortium seeks to reinforce Florida's commitment to involvement, exploration, and education in the Arts. Some of the organization’s many offerings include: yearlong community partnerships, event sponsorships, programs and workshops, youth, senior and special needs outreach, and project development support.