With a new venue, its biggest lineup ever and more free activities, the Gasparilla International Film Festival has released its submissions selected for screening during the juried, five-day festival.
Branded this year as the Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival, the ninth annual event will offer a total of 140 films in a juried competition that will screen feature films, short films, student films, international films, documentaries and Florida-focused films, as well as special award recognitions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors, education panels and festivities beginning Tuesday, March 24, through Sunday, March 29. Tickets are available for purchase online and range from $12 for adult regular screenings and $10 for students and seniors. Click here for the program guide.
This year’s film schedule boasts the largest lineup to date and has more features than any previous year; 13 of them are world premieres, four are U.S. premieres and 20 are Florida premieres; there are 60 feature films, and 70 short films. All films are included in the competition, with the exception of opening and closing night films and three free family screenings. Awards include the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary. Almost all films will be represented by film production or cast members who will host a Q&A session after the film. Nearly 200 directors are expected in addition to producers and cast.
The festival program will also include industry panels such as Women In Filmmaking, Casting Directors (including Hollywood heavyweight, Laray Mayfield), Filming In Florida, Financing Filmmaking (moderated by Suncoast Credit Union ) and Hollywood Producers Randall Emmett and Mitch Glazer.
As previously announced, this year’s opening night film is The Surface, starring Sean Astin, Chris Mulkey and Mimi Rogers. Director, Gil Gates, Jr., Writer and Producer Jeff Gendelman, Astin and Mulkey will be in attendance and host a Q&A session after the film. As per tradition, opening night will be held at Tampa Theatre, on Tues., March 24, and tickets are $15.
For the VIP treatment, purchase a ticket to the film and gain admittance to a Stella Artois opening night reception for $55, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The special event will include food tastings from area restaurants and an open bar with offer Stella Artois beer and Dark Horse wine. Guests are invited to dress to the nines and strut their stuff on the Red Carpet and take advantage of the opportunity to mingle with filmmakers, directors, producers, and stars during the reception. The film will be shown at 7:30.
A free after-party will take place at Anise Global Gastro Bar, 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa. The stylish fusion restaurant-bar is located within walking distance of the theatre and will offer drink specials.
On Wed., March 25, Mayor Bob Buckhorn and special guests will be in attendance for the official festival grand opening, a special “film cutting.” The event is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Channelside Cinemas, which will host film screenings and festival activities Wed., March 25, through Sun., March 29.
Celebrate the Channelside opening day at the “Wednesday Night After Party”, beginning at 9 p.m. at Hablo Taco, which will also offer free admission and drink specials for GIFF-goers. Likewise, the following night’s “Thursday Night After Party” is also free and begins at 9 p.m., at Splitsville. The “Bacardi Nights Party” on Friday, begins at 9 p.m. and will be go down at Channelside Bay Plaza, Suite 203. The event, sponsored by Bacardi, is $10 or free to attend with any film ticket or pass. Features live music, a special performance by Cuban singer Carlos Varela and a cash bar offering specialty rum drinks, like the Bacardi Mojito and Cuba Libre.
A more exclusive event, the “Big Party by New Amsterdam Vodka” is on Saturday at 10 p.m. at Channelside Bay Plaza, Suite 123, on the waterfront. Party with filmmakers and stars, indulge in complimentary beverages, including New Amsterdam Vodka’s signature cocktails, Stella Artois beer and Dark Horse wine and nosh on heavy hors d’ oeuvres. “DJ Fresh” will spin until 2 a.m. Tickets are available for $65.
Closing night film, Preggoland, is a Tampa premiere from director Jacob Tierney. The Canadian film, a comedy/drama, tells the story of Ruth, a 35 year-old woman who pretends to be pregnant to fit in with her friends. The film stars Sonja Bennett, James Caan, Danny Trejo, Paul Campbell and Laura Harris. Writer/Star Sonja Bennett and Producer Dylan Collingwood will be in attendance. The film makes its Tampa debut at Channelside Cinemas on Sunday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
A new feature at GIFF this year is the Family Fun Day. Sun., March 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Channelside Bay Plaza, offering free film screenings of Toy Story, The Goonies and Ghost Squad in addition to fun activities, games and prizes, casting calls, and red carpet walks. The free event will also include a high school film competition.
The awards ceremony follows on Sun., March 29, at 4:30 p.m. in Theatre 1 at Channelside Cinemas. During the free event, filmmakers will be congratulated for accomplishments and competition winners announced, including awards from the Grand Jury and Audience Choice for each competition category.
Wrapping it all up will be a free GIFF Wrap Party held in the lobby of Channelside Cinemas on Sun., March 29, from 7 to 10 p.m. The event features a cash bar and gathers attendees, filmmakers, organizers and volunteers, and the festival’s sponsors.
This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2015.
