Make time in your busy viewing schedule for the exciting events!  We welcome celebrity guests, film lovers, and local filmmakers alike with the best in dining, entertainment and spectacular setting

 

OPENING NIGHT FILM & PARTY I Friday, April 5th Film 7:00pm Party 9:00pm

 

VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL

777 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA FL

Join us April 5th for the Opening Night Film & Party at the Van Wezel. The evening will begin with the bright flashing lights while filmmakers and actors walk the red carpet.

Patrons will then proceed to the theatre for the showing of our opening night film, BLACKFISH. Blackfish is a documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, which explores the lives of orca whales and the tragic limitations of the human desire to harness thier majesty.

After the film, head to the after party, where you will spend the rest of your evening dancing, drinking, and enjoying unique food catered by Mattisons.

FILM: $25

PARTY: $75

VIP FILM: $125

 

 

 

 

OPENING NIGHT FILM / BLACKFISH

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Executive Producers: Judy Bart, Erica Kahn

Producers: Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Manuel Oteyza

USA/ 90 Min

In BLACKFISH, director Gabriela Cowperthwaite forges a breathtaking examination of the consequences of whale captivity. Blackfish features searing, never-before-seen footage and poignant , in-depth interviews with whale trainers and marine experts. The film is a powerful exploration of the lives of orca whales and the tragic limitations of the human desire to harness their majesty.

The sights sounds and splashes of orca performances at sea parks around the owrld have provided families with thrills and excitement for decades, but orcas, or "killer whales", are highly sentient creatures who exist in the wild as apex predators with sophisticated social structures. The conflict between captivity and the wild is embodied in Tilikum, a 12,000 pound bull orca who, over the decades, has been responsible for the deaths of three people who have encountered himin the water of his tank. 

Stunningly photographed at locations in Florida and beyond, and presented on the giant screen of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, The Sarasota Film Festival is proud to present our 2013 Opening Night Film.

 

 

 

U.N. WOMEN RECEPTION I SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH 6:30PM-8:30PM

 

ART CENTER

707 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA FL

The Gulf Coast Chapter of UN women, established in 1993 works to increase awareness of women's issues worldwide and to support the work of the UN Women. All of the proceeds from the Through Women's Eyes International Film Festival support the work of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women.

Originally established in the United Nations in 1976 as UNIFEM, UN women leads, supports and coordinates work on gender equality and the empowerment of women at global, regional and country levels. UN women works tirelessly toward a women and girls live free form violence, poverty and inequality.

COST: $75

 

 

YOUTH SCREENWRITERS CIRCLE LIVE! I MONDAY, APRIL 8TH 7:00PM

FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

1241 N. PALM AVE, SARASOTA FL

Get ready to laugh and cry your way to the edge of your seat at this staged reading! Original screenplays authored by students from the Pheonix Academy and Sarasota County Technical Institute are brought to life by performances from the Sarasota High School Drama Department. Come celebrate creativity anf collaboration with these local stars!

 

COST: FREE

 

 

THE GREAT CHICKEN WING HUNT AFTER PARTY I MONDAY, APRIL 8TH 3:30PM-7:30PM

 

 

 

TRIBUTE LUNCHEON I FRIDAY APRIL 12TH 11:00AM-1:00PM

 

SARASOTA YACHT CLUB

1100 JOHN RINGLING BLVD , SARASOTA FL

One of our most popular events, the Tribute Luncheon is star studded and intimate. This is an up close oppourtunity to witnesswell-deserved awards to a group of hand selected recipients for varied acheivements.

The Sarasota Yacht Club provides an elegant setting to mingle with festival guests and film lovers while enjoying a lunch prepared by the clubs' talented chefs.

 

COST: $200

 MEMBER: $175

 

 

CINEMA TROPICALE CELEBRATION I FRIDAY APRIL 12TH 8:30PM-11:30PM

SARASOTA YACHT CLUB

1100 JOHN RINGLING BLVD, SARASOTA FL

The Sarasota yacht Club plays host for the Cinema Tropicale on the final Friday of the festival. enjoy tropical dining selections, cocktails and live music at this island themed celebration!

Cinema tropicale honors Florida Filmmakers and visiting artists from around the world. Your ticket includes exotic foods and drinks. Celebrate Sarasota as a film-loving community.

 

COST: $150

MEMBER: $120

 

 

 

FILMMAKER AWARDS & CLOSING NIGHT FILM I SATURDAY APRIL 13TH 6:00PM

 

SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE

61 N. PINEAPPLE AVE, SARASOTA FL

Join us for our Filmmaker Tribute Awards, The Sarasota Film Festival's annual salute to the filmmakers and artists whose work inspires and provoles us. This year's award presentation will be followed by our 2013 Closing Night Film.

 FILM: $25

MEMBER FILM: $20

VIP COST: $125

VIP MEMBER: $100

 

 

 

 

CLOSING NIGHT FILM / FRANCES HA

Director: Noah Baumbach

Producers:

Cast: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver

USA/ 86 min

Frances (played by Greta Gerwig) is a dancer struggling as an apprentice in an esablished company, living withher best friend Sophie (a lovely performance from Mickey Sumner) in a small but nice enough apartment in Brooklyn. But despite the daily reminders of her professional and romantic struggles, nothing will put a dent in France' self-belief or her optimisim about what life should bring. Shot in luminous black and white, FRANCES HA is amasterful new comedy that sings to the rhythms of life and experience, smiling at laught and triumph in equal measure. This is a lovng portrait of a young woman full of joy and doubt, looking for that unknown something while trying to make a life for herself in contemporary New York City.

 

 

 

 

LATE NIGHT UNWRAP PARTY I SATURDAY, APRIL 13TH 11:37PM-2:00AM

THE FRANCIS

1289 N. PALM AVENUE, SARASOTA FL

The Wrap Party brings us back together for a final late night of dining, dancing and discussing our favorite films. VIP level includes complimentary drinks and appetizers, while everyone has access to the dance floor, a cash bar, and great DJ. Due to the high profile of the guests in the film and music industry, entry to this year's event will be extremely restricted. The Late Night Wrap Party will take place at a new venue, The Francis.

 

COST: $30 

MEMBER: $25

VIP: $100

 

 

HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS STUDENT CINEMA SHOWCASE I SUNDAY APRIL14TH 5:00PM

 

HOLLYWOOD 20 THEATRES

1993 MAIN STREET, SARASOTA FL

Don't miss this amazing showcase of work created by talented young filmmakers! Hollywood Nights is a red carpet event featuring screenings from up-and-coming local student filmmakers ages 10 through 18. Students from across Florida premiere their films in competition for awards and scholarship prizes. Join these students as they strut their stuff and present their work on the big screen!

 

COST ADULT: $10

COST STUDENT: $5 

 

 

 

FILMMAKERS LOUNGE I APRIL 6-13TH 11:00AM-8:00PM

 

SUPERNOVA CAFE

1900 MAIN STREET #104, SARASOTA FL

Across the street form the Hollywood 20 Theatre on Main Street, Supernova Cafe hosts our VIP Lounge where filmmakers, artists, sponsors, Board Menbers, and Cinephile badge-holders enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks, including Stella Artois beer. Gratuities appreciated.