News flash! Wild and provocative genre films are becoming a staple of film festivals worldwide and SFF is no exception. In recent years we've brought you Another Earth, Trollhunter, Don't Go in the Woods, The Oregonian, and others. SFF Sideways Cinema is here to give you the heads up on more edgy and cool titles — including one featuring this guy!

Number one at the box office this week is Chronicle, the teen superpowers movie written by Max Landis, son of SFF alum John Landis (director of The Blues Brothers, Animal House, Coming to America, Burke and Hare). Max has written for his dad in the past (Masters of Horror: The Deer Woman), so fingers-crossed he'll do it again and one day we can have 'em both at SFF. (Hey, I can dream...)

For fans of last year's Another Earth, here's a visually stunning, mind-bending romance set on alternate earths starring Kirsten Dunst (fresh off Lars von Trier's Melancholia) and Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe). It's called Upside Down and it's a Romeo and Juliet-style SF-action-romance that has to be seen to be believed. So take a look!

So, you didn't get enough William S. Burroughs when we had both the documentary about his life and a staged reading of Queer performed here by an all-star cast? Well, John Dies at the End isn't Boroughs, but the influence of Boroughs and Phillip K. Dick sure can be felt in this tale of a drug with the street name soy sauce that promotes out of body experiences.

One of the craziest things about John Dies

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SFF is proud to have shown "Windfall" the riveting and powerful documentary by Laura Israel from First Run Features, a film that tackles the complex issue of wind power as alternative energy and its dangerous impact on communities. The film is now available on Snagfilms VOD through many Comcast and Verizon providers and it opens today at New York's Quad Cinema and at Facets in Chicago (among others). Take a look at the trailer for this incredible documentary and be sure to seek it out on VOD.

"Chilling!" -- The New York Times

"Fascinating, insightful." -- Huffington Post

"Gripping." -- Salon.com

"Could take the sails out of wind power." -- Wall Street Journal

Winner Grand Prize DOC NYC

Today we continue getting you up to speed on the big screen, big budget happenings with some of your favorite SFF alums—including this guy, who's about to be seen as Caesar Flickerman in "Hunger Games". Sounds like a fairy tale come true, don't ya think?

Speaking of fairy tales, when you think of Hansel and Gretel, should you think A) 'trail of bread crumbs', B) 'uh, let's pass on desert, evil witch', or C) 'Sarasota Film Festival'? The answer is C, of course! But wait, how do we leap from SFF to a big screen version of a classic fairy tale? Sound like an impossible mission (hint, hint)? The answers await you in this installment of Six Degrees of SFF!

Ever since a little film called "Alice in Wonderland 3D" by Tim Burton made one beeeelion dollars (no lie, that was it's worldwide gross) movie studios have been scrambling to develop big-budgeted lavishly-produced high-concept renderings or re-imaginings of classic fairy tales. And many of them star or feature SFF alums. Starting with...

 "Jack the Giant Killer". Yup, that's right, beanstalk and all, I kid you not. And featured in the film is SFF alum (and Oscar nominee) Stanley Tucci as Lord Roderick. Playing Jack is Nicholas Hoult from BBC's "Skins," Tom Ford's "A Single Man," and "X-Men: First Class" where he got blue and furry as Beast... another fairy tale reference! Ewan McGregor (from SFF's "Beginners"), Bill Nighy and Ian McShane help round out the cast under the direction of Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects",

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Want to know what some of SFF's most amazing alums are up to these days? Read on for updates about Kevin Kline, the fabulous Duplass Brothers, and SFF Independent Visions Award Winners Lena Dunham and Calvin Reader!

First up, Hollywood loves a good shaggy dog story (no, I'm not talking about Scoobie and the van, Shaggy was the... oh, nevermind.) Anyhoo, one particular shaggy dog story caught the attention of SFF's very own Kevin Kline. It's called "Darling Companion" and it tells the story of Beth Winter (played by Diane Keaton) a lonely woman whose husband (that Kline fellow) barely gives her the time of day. Her situation changes when she adopts a rescue dog that fills her heart with love—until her self-involved husband loses it. The film's examines the relationships of everyone searching for the missing dog, including Mad Men's Elizabeth Moss, Sam Shepard, Diane Wiest and actor/producer Mark Duplass (a name that should be very familiar to regular SFF attendees! More on him and his brother Jay in just a bit.

The film is directed by Lawrence Kasdan, he of "The Big Chill," "Body Heat," and "Silverado" fame. (He also wrote the script for some little-seen indie flick called "The Empire Strikes Back." I think it had something to do with ticked off cereal manufacturers...) This is Kline's sixth collaboration with Kasdan so expect their usual magic. And remember, Kasdan directed Geena Davis, who graced SFF 2011 with her charm, wit and brilliance, to an Oscar win for "The

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If you're reading these words, then you've seen the stunningly beautiful original art adorning our brand spanking new website. This image will also serve as the visual centerpiece of SFF 2012's marketing campaign. We chatted — via these here interwebs — with amazing artist Vince Fraser from his home in J.O.E. (that would be Jolly Ole England) about his inspiration for this incredible work.

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others," Vince tells us. "In keeping with this year's festival theme [See Things Differently], I wanted to create something instantly recognizable and memorable but also very different from last year's campaign. I feel I have achieved another visually stunning piece which celebrates the art of filmmaking."

When asked to tell us more about his process for creating this outstanding piece, he replies, "When I was approached to create an image for this year's festival I knew exactly which direction to take. I wanted to create an image that was softer, more fluid and ethereal than the past images. For the color palette I took inspiration from the brilliance of Sarasota, the blues of the beautiful clear waters, combined with the drama of sunsets. Once I had the basic composition and color palette I then started to add elements evocative of the artistry of film. I wanted the final piece to mimic film's mystical ability to spirit the viewer away on a flight of imagination and fantasy... To where? That depends on the individual."

And how do

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Isn't it wonderful? Over the last few months we've worked hard to review, reorganize and refresh our entire online presence, bringing you the streamlined version you see here. We sincerely hope you will find it easy to use, navigate and engage wtih us. Click around and explore, or read on for more about the functionality.

Overall, we really wanted to simplify both the site's look and its architecture. Thus the basic black and white with SFF-themed accent colors setting off the really important stuff: our films, events and outreach programs.

Check out the new navigation at the top of the page, too. To the far left you'll find general info under the "About SFF" drop-down menu. Want to know more about this year's Festival including the films and events to be featured? Chose the "2012 Festival" drop-down for lots of options related to our annual festivites in April. The "Outreach" menu has info on our education department and community partners and the "News" tab holds info for press as well as the link to our in-house blog, a great source of constant updates on all things SFF. If you want to donate to, volunteer for, or sponsor The SFF, you'll find all those options under the "Support SFF" tab. Feel free to contact us to learn more about anything if browsing the site still leaves you wanting more.

In addition to the new design and navigation setup, our web solutions team, Destiny Group, built our new site using a content management solution called Joomla that gives us the

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We certainly think you could be. To know for sure, we need you to come one, come all to our inaugural Town Hall from 5:30 to 7:30pm. on Wed., Feb. 8 at the Selby Public Library (1331 First St., downtown Sarasota). Let your voice be heard. If you have a question about SFF, ask it! If you've got an opinion, raise it! Heck, if you've got some rabble, rouse it!

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We’re happy to announce today that Tom Hall, who has served the festival as Director of Programming (2004-2009) and Artistic Director (2009-2011), has been named Director of The Sarasota Film Festival. Effective December 1, 2011, Hall will take on an expanded role in the management and financial development of The SFF, reporting directly to The Chairman of the Board. In addition to his managerial duties, Hall will continue to work on the festival’s film and artistic programs.

In addition, Magida Diouri was appointed Programmer and Veronica Pastore was appointed Associate Director of Marketing for the 2012 Festival.  Diouri has worked with the SFF for five years and brings experience as a film booker, festival programmer and distribution professional to her new role as Programmer.  Pastore joins The SFF after running her own company for the last year, managing social media and event marketing for local entertainment-based businesses in addition to being a regular contributor to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.  Day to day operations will fall under the purview of Kathy Jordan who returns as the Managing Director.

Former SFF Director of Programming Holly Herrick will remain with the SFF as Director of SFF Women, a program designed to promote independent filmmaking, collaboration, awareness and film education among women and girls of all ages.

“I think it is important that The Sarasota Film Festival continue to thrive. We are committed to serving our core mission of

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And congratulations to Sarasota Film

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THE OREGONIAN is a harrowing and challenging film filled with hypnotic and disturbing imagery sure to haunt audience members for a good long time after viewing. I had the pleasure of chatting with director Calvin Lee Reeder twice at our Filmmakers Tribute event, first in the courtyard before the ceremony, then after his big win. (Fun aside, loved being part of a chat between the directors of HOW TO DIE IN OREGON and THE OREGONIAN. Only at SFF! 

Calvin’s film won the Special Jury Prize Independent Visions Award at SFF 2011. Listen up for a chat with this young and very talented director!

Photo by Becky Boletti

I am–THE INSIDER—wanted by motion picture executives for revealing industry secrets to a public with the Right to Know, “The Insider” has spent over 15 years working behind the scenes in almost every aspect of “The Biz” developing a secret network of contacts, spies, moles, and highly trained counter-intelligence operatives and movie ninjas whose only goal is to inform and entertain you—and help you make this the best year of the Sarasota Film Festival ever!

So many people contribute in so many ways to our festival that it is impossible to thank them all. I had the great pleasure of speaking with just a few of the amazing individuals who have meant such a great deal to SFF 2011. Fingers crossed that I will have more follow-ups and thank yous soon!

This year SFF was graced with the presence of a stunningly elegant fleet of vehicles from Wilde Lexus of Sarasota. All of our VIP guests were truly transported in style and we are ever so grateful to Wilde for their generosity and support. Listen in as our Wilde man on the scene, David Trimble, talks about his 2011 festival experience. 


Robert Smithson of Trinity Graphic USA sits on our Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and his impact on SFF can literally be seen everywhere you look. Trinity Graphic USA has placed SFF’s creative on everything from Tervis Tumblers to our amazing commemorative posters and banners (not to mention our spiffy cars decked out from bumper to bumper with SFF logos and Vince Fraser’s incredible art) and much more! Listen up as he tells us what the festival means to him!

James Neumerski, Manager of the Brasserie Belge at 1990 Main Street, also chatted with me! Brasserie Belge provided our Filmmaker Lounge and we are so grateful. Our filmmakers have dined on exquisite entrees and sipped amazing drinks (including Stella Artois). We’ve all been made to feel incredibly welcome in an environment that your friendly neighborhood Insider plans to

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