Ahhh … doesn’t this weekend's Sea Breeze Film Festival just sound inviting? It is time to celebrate indie films that might otherwise go unseen in Tampa Bay. Nomadic Tendencies presents the fest, which screens flicks of all lengths and genres from around the world. A taste of the featured presentations include: The Empress, an eight-minute animated Canadian film about two people in a bar and how they overcome their shyness together; Vigilante, a UK-made, 12-minute dark and satirical mockumentary about a group of villagers who want to eliminate crime and anti-social behavior in their community; Salawati, a Singapore-produced drama/mystery about a young girl who witnesses her brother’s death; and 16 to Life, a full- length American comedy about a rural American girl and her 16th birthday adventures. July 23-25, 2-11 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport; $7, $12 day pass, $5 children, military, seniors and students, $30 weekend pass; seabreezefilmfestival.blogspot.com for full schedule. —Lily Reisman
At least one good thing is coming from the BP oil spill: Gulf communities are banding together to help out. At Sunday's Birdstock benefit, you can pitch in, jam to local bands, and support beach businesses. A $10 wristband gets you in to a day-long concert by various local bands at the Beach Theatre, along with expos by ecological organizations and specials at Corey Avenue shops and eateries. Proceeds benefit the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Sun., July 25, 2-8 p.m., Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach.
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2010.