The Gasparilla Film Festival is proud to announce, along with its partners the University of Tampa and Studio @ 620, the following 2008 screening schedule for the prestigious 'Global Lens 2008' film series.

The Gasparilla Film Festival is partnering with the Global Film Initiative (GFI) to host 'Global Lens 2008', a GFI-sponsored traveling film series. GFI promotes cross-cultural understanding and diversity by presenting developing world feature films in over forty major U.S. Cities, with their prestigious film series entitled "Global Lens." GFI is considered one of the foremost leaders in funding and distributing world cinema. It's Film Board is comprised of well known, accomplished international filmmakers, such as Pedro Almodóvar, Lars von Trier, Mira Nair & Lucy Barreto, to name a few.
Past and present partners of the Global Lens Series include:

The Museum of Modern Art in New York
The American Film Institute
The Chicago International Film Festival
Gene Siskel Film Center
Miami International Film Festival
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
San Francisco Art Institute
Sarasota Film Society &
The Seattle International Film Festival
Walker Art Center
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Denver Film Society
Salt Lake Film Society

Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Tom Garrett at University of Tampa states: "It's a wonderful international experience for University of Tampa's Film Media Arts Program and its students to be involved- to have first look exposure to the 'Global Lens' series along with The Gasparilla Film Festival."

Studio @ 620's co-Artistic Director, G. David Ellis: "The Studio@620 is very pleased and excited to be a part of "Global Lens 2008", and host these films through October. The Global Lens series will be a wonderful compliment to our evenings at the International Film Cafe. You can travel the world in the comfort of the Studio@620 and enjoy free popcorn too!"

John Rosser, Executive Director of the Gasparilla Film Festival: "The Gasparilla Film Festival is proud to hold the 2008 Tampa Bay exclusive rights for a world-class film series such as 'Global Lens 2008'. We are particularly thrilled to be working with such high-quality local partners as the University of Tampa and Studio @ 620 on screening these important films. Our organization continues to grow, and we look forward to continuing to support such worthwhile endeavors as 'Global Lens".