Get your celluloid on at The Gasparilla International Film Festival March 24-27. The multifaceted cine-extravaganza partners with the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image this year, which begins one day earlier with presentations on March 23 and screenings at HCC-Ybor throughout the weekend (visit yborfilmfestival.com for details).
From international offerings to Florida-centric features, music documentaries, celebrity appearances and an assortment of soirees, the film fest truly has something for every movie watcher, with around 100 screenings, performances, parties and workshops compacted into four short days.
Particularly noteworthy at the film fest this year is the higher number of festival selections and nationally acclaimed films than in previous years.
"To have several national films choose our festival is a testament to how much it's grown over the years," said Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County Commissioner and GIFF board member.
Movies are screened at multiple venues, including Tampa Theatre, Cinebistro Hyde Park and Muvico Ybor. Admission is $10 at the door and a waiting list will be provided for sold-out screenings. Event admissions vary; check the website.
Here are some highlights:
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2011.