The Seventh Annual Sarasota Film Festival kicks off on January 28th with the previously announced Peter Falk and Paul Reiser in town for the Opening Night Film, THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS, and other previously announced guests including Bille August, Gary Busey, Peter Falk, George McGovern, Connie Nielsen, Michael Pitt, Paul Reiser, Vinessa Shaw, Jerry Springer and more to come… This year’s feature films and documentaries encompass 4 World Premieres, 6 US Premieres, 15 East Coast Premieres and 29 Southeast Premieres. On Saturday, February 5th the Sarasota Film Festival is proud to honor Ms.Leslie Caron and Rutger Hauer at the annual Filmmakers Tribute Dinner to be held in the elegant grand ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

The Sarasota Film Festival is proud and delighted to celebrate with the Regal Entertainment Lifetime Achievement Award to Ms. Leslie Caron. She’s one of the most beautiful women in the world and her face is instantly recognizable. She has starred opposite such performers as Gene Kelly, Mel Ferrer, Jean Pierre Aumont, Fred Astaire, Maurice Chevalier, Henry Fonda, Charles Boyer, and Cary Grant, and that’s just a few of the men. She has also shared the screen with the likes of Juliette Binoche, Nathalie Baye, Kate Hudson, Barbara Stanwyck and Naomi Watts. And her films range from her debut in a little thing called An American In Paris, through Gigi, Lili, The L Shaped Room, Daddy Long Legs, Father Goose, and Is Paris Burning?, all the way up to the recent Funny Bones, Le Divorce and Chocolat. Ms. Caron will also be on hand to present a special screening of Gigi on Saturday, February 5 at 11:30 AM at the Regal Hollywood 20.

Rutger Hauer will be on hand to receive Sarasota Film Festival Career Achievement Award. Rutger Hauer first came to international attention appearing in such acclaimed films, of his Dutch countryman Paul Verhoeven, as Turks Fruit, Keetje Tippel and Soldier of Orange, which catapulted him across the Atlantic and into Blade Runner as well as such fare as Nighthawks, The Osterman Weekend, Ladyhawke, Flesh and Blood, Bloodhounds of Broadway, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He can be seen next in the highly anticipated Sin City and Batman Begins. A special screening of Blade Runner: The Director's Cut will be presented on Friday, February 4th 6:45pm and on Saturday, February 5th at 5:00 pm Ladyhawke will be presented with Mr. Hauer in attendance for both. All proceeds from the special screenings will be donated to Mr. Hauer's non-profit association, The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. The Association is a legally established non-profit entity with Headquarters in Italy, and is focusing its efforts on support given on an international basis to HIV/AIDS-stricken children and pregnant women.

The Filmmakers Tribute Dinner will be held Saturday, February 5th with cocktails at 7pm and dinner at 8:00 pm. The Chairwoman for the event is Mary Ann Robinson. Individual tickets are $300. Individual Tickets for the film screening are $8. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sarasotafilmfestival.com or by calling toll free 1.877.733.8491.



Actor/ musician Gary Busey will join Levon Helm, David Johanson, Tom Scott and others yet to be announced for the Musical Graffiti: At Tribute To Legends In Rock And Roll Music & Movies event Thursday, February 3rd at 9:00 pm. Gary Busey is best for his portrayal of rock legend Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story. Tickets are $75.00 for rock show.