Ballet at the Beach Emerging Pictures brings three European ballets to the big screen at the Beach: The Pharaoh's Daughter from Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, Aug. 31; Bolt, also from the Bolshoi, Sept. 7; and Mediterranea, from Theatre all Scala in Milan, Italy, Sept. 21. Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach.
CLIP 19 (Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) "Every year brings its surprises," says Chuck Henson, executive director of CLIP, aka the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. In 2008, the surprise was that a documentary, The Bible Tells Me So, drew the biggest audience. This year's revelation? Maybe it'll be the Shakespeare-inspired musical Were the World Mine — "spectacular," says Henson. Or perhaps comedian Bruce Vilanch will spring a few shockers on the crowd when he makes an appearance in support of his new film Tru Loved. And some filmgoers may be surprised by the new moniker, CLIP. Why the change? It's easier to say than "TIGLFF," for one thing; the movies are screened not just in Tampa but on both sides of the Bay (Tampa Theatre and Muvico Baywalk); and since there are lots of other gay film fests around the country that share the "IGLFF" acronym, CLIP stands out from the crowd. Not that it didn't already. CLIP is the sixth largest gay film fest in the U.S., based on attendance (a record 14,000 last year) and longevity (this is its 19th year). And given Tampa Bay's oft-contradictory record on gay and lesbian rights (we had Ronda, but we also have Mayor Pam; we have St. Pete Pride, but we also have Mayor Rick), the sight of so many LGBT people turning out en masse to see movies that speak particularly to them remains a kick both for the audience and the filmmakers. Henson, who's nothing if not enthusiastic, tells potential sponsors that the difference between this fest and others around the country is simple: "In Tampa we'll love you more." Will Tampa love this year's films? The jury's still out: The new programming director, Stephen Mintz, splits his duties between this filmfest and one in Fresno, Calif., so we don't have a local track record to judge. But with subject matter that ranges from Filipino prostitutes in Iceland to Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild, it's safe to say we're in for another surprising year. Oct. 2-12, Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., downtown Tampa, and Muvico Baywalk Theatres, 151 Second Ave. N., downtown St. Petersburg.
Concert Films at the Beach Beach Theatre presents: Woodstock, the classic concert doc about the 1969 music fest, Sept. 12; the Neil Young-helmed CSNY: DÉJÀ VU, which follows the 2006 tour of Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Sept. 13; and Bruce Springsteen: Live in Barcelona, a full-length high-def digital presentation of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band offered exclusively to historic theaters like the Beach to support restoration, Sept. 26. Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach.
Eurocrime Fest University of Tampa and the Sunscreen Film Fest showcase those violent Italian cop and gangster films of the 1970s with free screenings of films like Rome Armed to the Teeth, Summertime Killer and Gang War in Milan. Stars of the genre will be on hand to help present the films, including Antonio Sabato (Senior, not Junior) and Chris Mitchum. There'll also be a preview screening of a documentary about the genre, Eurocrime!, with director Mike Malloy, as well as a 15th anniversary screening of the Eurocrime-inspired Pulp Fiction. "Eurocrime Invasion Tampa 2008: The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Rules The '70s," Oct. 3-5, Reeves Theatre, second floor of Vaughn Center at UT, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Free Media Art & Film Festival This single-day "Benefit for the Expression of Independence & Free Thought" incorporates art, live music and screenings of several films, including the featured presentation, D.I.Y. or DIE: How To Survive As An Independent Artist, which focuses on the modes, methods and motivations of independent American artists in different genres and media. Aug. 30, Crowbar, Ybor City.
Global Lens 2008 Film Series Gasparilla Film Festival partners with University of Tampa and Studio@620 to present films from around the world. The upcoming schedule includes: The Kite, Aug. 29, Reeves Theater, UT; The Bet Collector, Sept. 26, Studio@620; Mini-Festival 1: films/date TBA, Reeves Theatre, UT; Mini-Festival 2, Argentine Double Feature: The Custodian and Kept & Dreamless, Oct. 4, and Celebration of Asia: Let the Wind Blow, Luxury Car and Opera Jawa, Oct. 5, both at Studio@620. More dates and films TBA.
Hunter S. Thompson Double Feature Two very different peeks into the life of the Gonzo journalist: Gonzo, the critically acclaimed documentary by Alex Gibney; and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the film version of Thompson's book starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. Sept. 5 and 19. Beach Theatre, St. Pete Beach.
Independents' Film Festival Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Education Channel's Independents' Film Festival continues to fulfill the promise of its name: a broad range of "little guy" productions served up to a local audience. From 175 submissions, IFF's judges have selected 99 to air on the cable channel during weekends throughout September and online at ifftampa.com. From Sept. 16 to 20, a series of theatrical screenings spotlights "best of" selections at the Tampa Theatre and the University of Tampa's Reeves Theater. Along with a handful of impressive short films with local connections — among them Focus by USF students Jesse Newman and Sarah Wilson, Blow'd Away by Roderick Colbert and Fatal Love by UT student Lamar Edwards — expect a smorgasbord of offerings. Among the most intriguing are five short narrative films produced by the Burundi Film Center. Launched last summer in Burundi, the country just south of Rwanda, the Canadian-led effort trains students aged 18-25 in multimedia production and encourages them to grapple with contemporary African issues in film. Last year, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners yanked the Education Channel's funding, leaving the fate of both the channel and IFF up in the air. Fueled now by private donations, a recent grant and partnerships like one with UT, the festival is struggling to raise money just as the economy tanks and more local nonprofits find themselves in the same boat. A fundraiser on Sept. 18 — a $25-a-head celebrity look-a-like contest — may help secure the festival's future, as will the number of people who tune in via TV or the Internet and take the time to mail a check. What keeps the staff going, says the Education Channel's Laura Tierney, is hearing from alumni that recognition at IFF has inspired them to soldier on as filmmakers. With any luck, IFF will persevere, too. Screenings in theaters Sept. 16-20, on the Education Channel and online each weekend (Fri., Sat. & Sun.) in September, starting Sept. 5. —Megan Voeller
Indy Film Café A film series featuring screenings of socially conscious documentaries. Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, The Studio@620, downtown St. Petersburg.
International In Flight Film Festival Details TBA. Dec. 26, The Studio@620, downtown St. Petersburg.
Summer Classic Movie Series Silent Film Event Tampa Theatre closes its summer screening series with the first-ever winner of an Academy Award for Best Picture: Wings, a silent film about two men who go to war and the woman they leave behind. Rosa Rio provides live accompaniment on the theater's Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Aug. 31, Tampa Theatre.
Sunset Cinema Series Tampa Theatre presents outdoor screenings of series of family-friendly films outdoors at various area parks. The upcoming selections are The Goonies, Oct. 11, River Tower Park; and E.T., Nov. 1, Al Lopez Park.
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 2, 2008.