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 Accidental Tourist." Check it out!

Which brings us to the Duplass brothers and SFF. Mark Duplass co-directed "Cyrus" a fantastic film starring John C. Reilly (co-star of Kline's "The Extra Man," an SFF Opening Night Film) and current Oscar nominee Jonah Hill. He produced SFF films like "The Freebie" and "Kevin", the latter of which was represented here last year by his brother Jay, one of our Independent Visions Jurors! (Funny how this all connects.)

"Jeff Who Lives at Home" is the latest effort from co-directors Mark and Jay Duplass. This one stars "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Muppets" star (and he is quite the Muppet of a man) Jason Segel. Take a look-see right here!

Ah, the SFF Independent Vision Awards. Lena Dunham won in 2010 with her wonderfully observed "Tiny Furniture" and that film brought her to the attention of mega-producer Judd Apatow. Their collaboration has resulted in the upcoming HBO series "Girls" in which Dunham serves as writer/director/co-executive producer and star. "Tiny Furniture" co-star Jemima Kirke is also onboard. The show premieres in April and here's a sneak peak!

Lena also has a role in Judd Apatow's next feature "This is 40" and made appearances in Ti West's "The Innkeepers" and the mini-series "Mildred Pierce."

As for 2011 winner Calvin Reader (director of "The Oregonian"), he is also an actor. Currently he is appearing in the anthology horror film "V/H/S" currently a Sundance After Midnight selection. (The trailer on this one is not yet available.) We'll check in with Calvin before too long and see  if we can't get him to spill on his latest and greatest hush-hush super secret next film. (This just in: Magnolia has picked up "V/H/S" for theatrical and VOD distribution!) 

This is just the first of many rundowns we will be bringing you about projects from SFF alum. So watch this space!

—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!