Pasadena Starring Peter Bogdanovich, Cheryl Hines to World Premiere at 2013 Sarasota Film Festival

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PASADENA, the new independent 'dramedy' starring Peter Bogdanovich, Cheryl Hines, Alicia Witt, Sonya Walger and Ashton Holmes will have its World Premiere today, Saturday  April 13, 2013, in Sarasota, Florida, at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival. 

NOR’EASTER to Screen at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival

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NOR’EASTER is screening this upcoming weekend at the 2013 Sarasota International Film Festival in Sarasota, Florida. NOR’EASTER was written and directed by Andrew Brotzman.

A young priest, Erik (David Call, TINY FURNITURE, Gossip Girl) serves as the lone Catholic authority on a small island off the coast of Maine. After a poorly attended mass, Erik is visited by Ellen Greene, the mother of Joshua, a child who has been missing for five years. Josh's absence has pushed Ellen's marriage to the breaking point, and though her husband strenuously objects, she and the priest decide to hold a symbolic funeral in an effort to move on.

Mickey Sumner, Cheryl Hines Among Stars Attending 2013 Sarasota Film Festival

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Sarasota, FL - Mickey Sumner will receive the Breakthrough Performer Award at the 2013 Sarasota Film Festival for her performance in the closing night film FRANCES HA.  The award will be presented at the annual Tribute Luncheon, Sarasota Yacht Club on Friday, April 12th. Ms. Sumner was seen most recently on stage in New York City opposite Carol Kane in the Atlantic Theater Company's production of THE LYING LESSON. Ms. Sumner joins previously announced guests Suzanne Clément, Griffin Dunne, Mariel Hemingway, Barbara Kopple and Lili Taylor in receiving honors at the Tribute. Ms. Sumner will also introduce the festival’s screening of FRANCES HA on Saturday, April 13th at The Sarasota Opera House.

2013 Sarasota Film Festival to Honor Computer Chess and Screen Over 222 Films

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The 2013 Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) announced their film lineup featuring over 222 films, including Tom Gilroy’s THE COLD LANDS (US Premiere), Jeremy Xido’s DEATH METAL ANGOLA (US Premiere), Nathan Silver’s SOFT IN THE HEAD (World Premiere), C&Y’s THE OXBOW CURE (World Premiere), and Gregory Collins’ A SONG STILL INSIDE (World Premiere). 

The Festival will also award the 2013 Terry Porter Visionary Award, named in honor of longtime festival friend Terry Porter, to Andrew Bujalski’s COMPUTER CHESS. Previous winners include V/H/S (2012) and Todd Rohal’s THE CATECHISM CATACLYSM (2011).

As previously announced, the 2013 opens on April 5th with Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s BLACKFISH, while Noah Baumbach’s FRANCES HA is the festival’s Closing Night film. James Ponsoldt’s THE SPECTACULAR NOW and Barbara Kopple’s RUNNING FROM CRAZY are the Centerpiece Films, with Carols Puga’s BURMA, Justin Schwarz’s THE DISCOVERERS and the World Premiere of Will Slocombe’s PASADENA are the SFF’s Spotlight Films.

The lineup

Sarasota Film Festival Announces Opening, Closing, Centerpiece And Spotlight Films

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Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s BLACKFISH will open the 2013 Sarasota Film Festival, taking place April 5-14.  Noah Baumbach’s FRANCES HA will screen as the Closing Night film, and James Ponsoldt’s THE SPECTACULAR NOW and Barbara Kopple’s RUNNING FROM CRAZY serve as the festival's Centerpiece Films.

The Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) announced their new Spotlight series, featuring Carlos Puga’s BURMA starring Christopher Abbott and Gaby Hoffman, Justin Schwarz’s THE DISCOVERERS starring Griffin Dunne, and the World Premiere of Will Slocombe’s  PASADENA, starring Peter Bogdanovich and Cheryl Hines.

Elena and Big Boys Gone Bananas Among Wiinners of 2012 Sarasota Film Festival

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Elena directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev took home this year’s Narrative Feature Jury prize, and Big Boys Gone Bananas!* by director Fredrik Gertten was the Documentary Jury Prize winner at the 2012 Sarasota Film Festival.  Two special jury prizes were awarded; in the Narrative category Alps directed by Giorgos Lanthimos took home a Special Jury Prize and for documentary Feature Competition special jury prize for Radio Unnameable directed by Paul Lovelace.

WWE Superstars Kelly Kelly and Rey Mysterio Among Sports Related Programming and Guests at 2012 Sarasota Film Festival

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The Sarasota Film Festival announced sports related programming and guests for the upcoming 2012 festival.

Tino Wallenda and the Flying Wallenda family will attend the World Premiere screening of THE SHOW MUST GO ON on Friday, April 20th.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON explores the unique familial bond that exists within the high flying Wallenda clan who, despite the true risks of their dangerous high wire act and the economic reality that threatens their livelihood, have performed aerial acts for generations as The Flying Wallendas. As they continue to hone their skills and develop their artistry, the film explores their rich legacy by sharing some of their most death defying feats. One of the most famous circus families in world, the Wallendas call Sarasota home, performing and training here with the same apparatus and on the same rigs as Karl Wallenda developed over 80 years ago.

WWE Superstars Kelly Kelly and Rey Mysterio will attend the Saturday, April 21 screening of THE DAY  alongside Dominic Monaghan, Ashely Bell and Director Douglas Aarniokoski.

THE DAY | Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic world, where much of the remaining population has turned to the chaos of open warfare. A group of survivors, just normal people forced into a life of constant battle for survival, are now lost, wandering the desolate country in hopes of finding a true refuge. There is no mission objective. There is no destination. There used to be 12. Only 5 remain. One survivor falls victim to illness and when faced with an impending storm, the group decides to take shelter at an abandoned farmhouse. THE DAY is a horrifying glimpse into what 24 hours is like in this vicious world. The battle is everywhere and the bullets are dwindling. The group must use every ounce of strength, courage and guile they have to defend their stronghold from a brutally determined enemy. When faced with the end, what will you continue to battle for? Grab your weapon. The battle for humanity is here. Fight or die. A Robert Rodriguez protégé, Doug Aarniokoski, directs this edge-of-your-seat war action horror. Relentless, visceral, intense... THE DAY has come.

NY Giants Hall Of Fame legend Harry Carson will attend thescreening of AMERICAN MAN on Thursday, April 19th.

AMERICAN MAN | Kevin Turner was always good at football. After playing fullback for and graduating from the University of Alabama, he spent his career in the National Football League with The Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots, laying vicious blocks on his opponents and playing the game with physical abandon. But after his career came to an end, Kevin developed ALS, a devastating disease of the brain that may have been caused by his participation in the game he loved. IN AMERICAN MAN, Jon Frankel provides a powerful portrait of an athlete whose diagnosis has inspired him to help in the quest to find answers about this mysterious disease.

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Sarasota Film Festival to Honor Penelope Ann Miller and Women Make Movies

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The Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) will honor Penelope Ann Miller, star of the 2012 Academy Award® Best Picture winner The Artist and 2012 Sarasota Film Festival film Think Of Me with this year’s 2012 Career Tribute.

The SFF will also honor Women Make Movies, the non-profit media arts organization that facilitates the production, promotion, distribution and exhibition of independent films by and about women, with the second annual Impact Award, presented in partnership with the Gulf Coast Chapter of UN Women.  The award will be presented in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Women Make Movies.

Additionally, the festival announced the complete 2012 ‘In Conversation With’ series.  The series returns with guests Rory Kennedy, Frank Langella, Penelope Ann Miller and Todd Solondz.  Each conversation is an in-depth and intimate look at the careers and stories behind these luminaries, their lives and their work.  The 14th Annual Sarasota film Festival runs from April 13, 2012 through April 22, 2012.

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Sarasota Film Festival Releases the Full Lineup of Films for 2012

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The Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) officially announced their complete 2012 Festival program today, featuring over 230 films from 30 nations. The Sarasota Film Festival kicks off on April 13th with the previously announced ROBOT & FRANK on Opening Night, with Todd Solondz’s DARK HORSE serving as the Festival Centerpiece and Joe Berlinger’s UNDER AFRICAN SKIES serving as the festival’s closer.

The Narrative Feature Competition

11 FLOWERS, Director: Wang Xiaoshuai
ALPS, Director: Giorgos Lanthimos
ARCADIA, Director: Olivia Silver – US Premiere
COMPLIANCE, Director: Craig Zobel
ELENA, Director: Andrei Zvyagintsev
FRANCINE, Director: Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatsky
GOODBYE FIRST LOVE, Director: Mia Hanse-Løve
THE LONELIEST PLANET, Director: Julia Loktev

The Narrative Feature Jury
John Anderson, Chairman, New York Film Critics Circle
Steven Gaydos, Executive Editor VARIETY
Karina Longworth – Film Critic, LA Weekly

The Documentary Feature Competition
THE ATOMIC STATES OF AMERICA, Director: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce.
BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!, Director: Fredrik Gertten

CHASING ICE, Director: Jeff Orlowski
DETROPIA, Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
FIRST POSITION, Director: Bess Kargman
JUSTICE FOR SALE, Directors: Femke van Velzen, Ilsa van Velzen
THE PATRON SAINTS, Director: Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatsky
RADIO UNNAMEABLE, Director: Paul Lovelace, Jessica Wolfson


Documentary Feature Jury
Joe Neumaier- The NY Daily News
Thelma Adams, Yahoo!
Clemence Taillandier, Zeitgeist Films

The Independent Visions Competition
EMPIRE BUILDER, Director: Kris Swanberg -World Premiere
LEAVE ME LIKE YOU FOUND ME, Director Adele Romanski
GAYBY, Director Jonathan Lisecki
IN OUR NATURE, Director Brian Savelson
RICHARD’S WEDDING, Director Onur Tukel -World Premiere
SEE GIRL RUN, Director Nate Meyer
SUN DON’T SHINE, Director Amy Seimetz
THE UNSPEAKABLE ACT, Director Dan Sallitt -World Premiere

WELCOME TO PINE HILL, Director Keith Miller

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ROBOT & FRANK to open 2012 Sarasota Film Festival

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Jake Schreier's ROBOT & FRANK will open the 2012 Sarasota Film Festival on Friday, April 13th.  Frank Langella and Mr. Schreier will attend the festival’s Opening Night.

Set in the near future, ROBOT & FRANK is the story of Frank (Frank Langella), a retired thief living alone and resigned to longing for the local librarian (Susan Sarandon). Concerned about his father’s health, Frank’s son brings him a new caretaker; a state of the art robot with a perfect memory and an inexhaustible desire to make Frank’s life better. Initially reluctant to accept help, Frank soon recognizes the benefits of his robot, treating his electronic helper like a true friend. So, when Frank decides to get back into the business of theft, who else to turn to but his newfound companion?

This year’s Centerpiece film is Todd Solondz's DARK HORSE, the story of Abe (Jordan Gelber), a confident young man who is stuck in a rut. Living at home with his parents (Mia Farrow and Christopher Walken) and working for his father’s company, Abe can’t escape from his family’s expectations. But when he meets a young woman named Miranda (Selma Blair), things temporarily start looking up and Abe can’t help but believe he must be on the road to happiness. Director Todd Solondz will attend.

Academy Award® Nominee Joe Berlinger's UNDER AFRICAN SKIES will close the festival.  In 1985, the singer-songwriter Paul Simon set out to South Africa to record with local musicians who could help him emulate the sound of their music, with which he had fallen in love. The result of that collaboration was the 1986 album Graceland, which went on to not only become Simon’s most successful album, but also launched the “world music” genre. But not everyone was happy; Simon was accused of violating the cultural boycott of South Africa, erected in an attempt to help bring down the nation’s racist apartheid regime.

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