Tues., March 24-Sun., March 29, Channelside Bay Plaza. Tampa. Ticket prices and full events schedule TBD, gasparillafilmfestival.com.
Since it’s now in its ninth season, it’s fair to consider the Gasparilla International Film Festival a reliable staple of Gasparilla Arts Month. That’s not to say, however, that GIFF has become a staid, predictable tradition, or that you know what you’re going to get. GIFF’s organizers have consistently made an effort to not only offer refreshing variety in terms of the films that are screened, but also to set the film fest apart from its hundreds of nationwide peers by celebrating individual elements of its home city.
“GIFF is really focused on Tampa Bay, and I think we try with every one of our festivals to showcase our city, make it something people from out of town get a special experience out of, but also people who live here get to see the community in a new light,” says Rachel Feinman, president of GIFF’s board of directors. “We’re always trying showcase our unique city, and share something culturally relevant.”
This year, the festival has managed something of a local coup by re-opening the Channelside Bay Plaza’s Channelside Cinemas 10 theater, shuttered in September 2012, for a creative “pop-up” vibe. In addition to keeping all of the screenings in one place so viewers won’t have to travel between venues, this year’s location also allows GIFF to throw its various parties and side events right alongside the main attraction.
“We’re working with the rest of the Channelside community. You’ll see other parties and activities around the district during the festival,” says Feinman. “We’re really excited to be partnering with that community.”
She assures that the multiplex’s caretakers have kept the space in excellent shape since its closing, and that attendees can expect the same amenities they’d get at any contemporary film festival or night out for a flick, “with a GIFF flair.” In fact, the fest made the unprecedented move of running a successful crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo to make sure it had the resources to provide the highest possible quality of experience.
“It was really positive to see the community rally around our efforts,” says Feinman. “Just to see the social media response and the engagement … that’s what makes crowdfunding so exciting and unique for a nonprofit venture.”
While the festival’s programming schedule has yet to be announced beyond opening-night thriller The Surface, expect GIFF’s tradition of defying art-house or genre restrictions in favor of an incredibly diverse spate of films to remain intact. And of course, along with the movies, parties and various peripheral excitations, festgoers will get to interact with an inspiring array of filmmakers, performers and industry insiders.
“Ninety-five percent of the films we screen, the filmmaker or someone associated with the making of that movie is in the audience, answering questions and engaging [patrons],” Feinman says. “You’re not just passive, you’re actively involved in what they were trying to achieve, maybe finding out what happened behind the scenes, and that really takes going to the movies to a whole new level.”
HIGHLIGHTS
The full GIFF schedule of films and events should be available within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are some of Board President Rachel Feinman’s tips about events you won’t want to skip.
Opening Night
This year it’s on a Tuesday, but GIFF’s big kick-off is always something to behold, even beyond the featured movie — The Surface, directed by Gil Cates, Jr. and staring Mimi Rogers, Sean Astin and Chris Mulkey. This is one event that will take place outside of Channelside, at its traditional home at Tampa Theatre.
A serving of Borscht
“Borscht is an award-winning short film festival in Miami, and we’ve got the creator and founder coming to show a group of Borscht shorts,” says Feinman. “They’re all really creative, experimental short films that get national attention, and the team is coming up to do a show of films and host a master class as part of our educational panels.”
Speaking of panels
“We offer multiple free panels to the public,” Feinman says. Topics include filmmaking in Florida and how to raise production funding. There'll be a panel of distributors who are looking at films, and an actors' panel, "where all the talent who’s in town sits on the panel. They talk and share their experiences.”
Closing Night Party
This year’s closing night shindig has been moved from Sunday to Saturday, in an attempt to involve moviegoers who might not be able to stay out before the Monday workday. “That’s always an anticipated event,” she says. “We really want to raise attendance even higher and get the whole community activated and involved.”
Family Day
Thanks to title sponsor Suncoast Credit Union, Sunday will be a full day of movies and more for the kids, including “multiple films for free as well as a bunch of other activities.”
DO'S & DON'TS
DO keep your eyes on the GIFF website, gasparillafilmfestival.com. The full deets are coming, and sometimes things get changed around a bit.
DON’T wait until the last minute to buy tickets to a particular movie or event at the door. Many sell out.
DO plan your GIFF outings wisely, and in advance. It’ll be easier this year due to everything (except for Opening Night) being at Channelside, but it never hurts to know when you need to be where.
DON’T expect things to start late, or that being in line when a movie is scheduled to start means they’re gonna hold the film until everyone is inside.
DO be aware that you’ll be able to carry beverages (both alcoholic and not) from nearby vendors into movie venues.
DON’T assume that “your car” or that gas station on Kennedy constitutes a nearby vendor.
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2015.