8:30PM, Sat., April 7 at The Cock & Bull

Enjoy awesome vintage silent film footage playing behind your favorite local bands. It's free! An amazing beer selection and some great food are available for purchase, too.

LIVE MUSIC BY:
- Scone Train 8:30- 9

- Bard and Mustache 9:15-9:45

- Come Back Alice 10-10:45

- Villanova Junction 11-11:45

Sound provided By: David Byrd-Sound Engineer

Tickets to SFF films and events will be on sale — check out the great student discounts! Join us to celebrate the art of filmmaking and get excited for this year's SFF.

GET THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL APP!

You can browse, filter and search our complete film guide through the app and read the descriptions, watch trailers and check out audience buzz. Plus you can add screenings and events to your personal calendar and export it to iCal or share your film picks via Facebook, Twitter and email with the tap of a finger. Of course the app is linked to Maps as well so you’ll never miss a screening.

Just click here or visit the App Store and search for “Sarasota Film Festival” to get the entire Film Guide at your fingertips, 24/7.

You're invited to the first ever SFF Venice Kick Off and SFF Manatee Kick Off events! Join in on the fun for the announcement of the 2012 Sarasota Film Festival line up while enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres, giveaways, cash bars, and more! The events are free and open to the public.

Join us in Venice on Monday, March 26 from 5:30-7 PM at the Venice Theater (140 Tampa Ave. West) and enjoy caternig by Cafe Venice. The event is free but RSVP is required due to limited space. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance or call 941.364.9514 ext.124

Join us in Manatee County on Thursday, March 29 from 5:30-7 PM on the beautiful riverfront of the Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar (801 Riverside Drive East). No RSVP required.

 We're really excited to share our film line ups, stars attending and exciting events with you for this year!

We are proud to present NYU@SFF, our inaugural program presented in association with NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  Working with student filmmakers, producers, curators, professors and alumni to create a program of films and events at this year’s festival, The SFF is thrilled to provide a showcase for NYU Tisch filmmakers to share their work, ideas and vision in our community.  The 14th Annual Sarasota Film Festival runs from April 13, 2012 through April 22, 2012.

The partnership between The SFF and NYU Tisch School of the Arts presents a unique opportunity for NYU Tisch School of the Arts students to work with the SFF in multiple disciplines, from filmmaking and film curation to non-profit arts management.  In return, the Festival provides an important interdisciplinary platform for members of our community and the film industry to engage with outstanding films from NYU Tisch School of The Arts students and alumni.

“We are aware of the global reach of NYU Tisch School of the Arts and we are proud that they have chosen our festival as a home for their filmmakers,” says Sarasota Film Festival Board President Mark Famiglio.  “Over the past several years, we have developed a vibrant relationship with NYU Tisch School of the Arts and we are excited to announce this formal partnership," Famiglio continued.

"I am very proud of the MFA and combination MBA/MFA students who have taken on this project with such enthusiasm," says SFF Board Member and Tisch School of the

Read more ...

Bypass the lines and get the seats you want at the 2012 SFF by becoming a member or joining our A-List!

When you become a member, enjoy advance film ticket purchases one day before they officially go on sale to ensure you see the movies you want. Plus film ticket and event discounts and invitations to year-round advance film screenings and programs, including conversation series, members-only events and more.

Sponsor the Festival as an A-Lister and receive access to the Sponsor & Filmmakers' VIP Lounge, and advanced seating for Festival screenings. Click here to learn more. Film tickets go on sale March 23 but you can get your badge now to guarentee these benefits!

The Sarasota Film Festival invites you to our Moonlight Movie, a free outdoor screening of MEGAMIND, at Booker Middle School. The event is free and open to all ages! 

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, as well as their own food and beverages. Arrive early for the best viewing areas! Megamind features Will Ferrel, Tina Fey, David Cross, Jonah Hill and Brad Pitt. The supervillain Megamind finally defeats his nemesis, the superhero Metro Man. But without a hero, he loses all purpose and must find new meaning to his life. 

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

Read more ...

And congratulations to Sarasota Film

Read more ...

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

Read more ...