Immerse yourself in 11 days of fantastic films and extraordinary events. With over 150 cinema screenings, celebrity guests, scintillating soirees and family fun, The Sarasota Film Festival returns for its 13th year of celebrating the finest in contemporary international and independent cinema.  From the Opening Night Extravaganza to our signature “Conversations With…” series to a celebration of women filmmakers and much more, plunge into the best of the fest that Variety Magazine called “The acme of regional film festivals.”

EVENTS

Short Stacks Family Film Day

Come celebrate at Sarasota Film Festival’s first-ever Short Stacks Family Film Day with a morning full of film, fun, and pancakes featuring a youthFEST Family Film shorts program screening, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, plus a handful of Kids Reel Life Studio workshop activities like constructing a pinhole camera and lego animation!  Tickets available March 18, 2011.  Recommended for families and children age 12 and under. When: Saturday April 9, 2011 | 9am - 12pmWhere: Sarasota High School Campus | 1000 South School AvenueTickets: $5/Child, $10/Adult in advance$10 per person at the door Discounted tickets available to students who participate in a free or reduced lunch program. For more information, visit www.sarasotafilmfestival.com. 

Short Stacks is part of the SFF Outreach and Education Department's annual youthFEST.  The 2011 youthFEST offers 12 educational programs for students and educators in addition to many family-friendly events.  SFF youthFEST also features dozens of culturally, socially, and thematically diverse short films, narratives, and documentary features appropriate for students.  Admission is free to all youthFEST family film selections for those 12 and under and all students receive a discounted ticket price to films with a valid school ID.

 Sarasota Film Festival’s Cinema Tropicale CelebrationWednesday – April 13 Sarasota Yacht Club 1100 John Ringling Blvd., SarasotaJoin us once again for a sultry night of tropical fun; dance to Caribbean beats while enjoying the warm ocean breeze, cocktails and casual cuisine. Come kick-back and relax or cha-cha and mambo the night away!

 Sarasota Film Festival’s Filmmaker TributeSaturday, April 16Sarasota Opera House 61 N. Pineapple AvenueAn evening dedicated to the celebration of the art of film.  Featuring a star studded line-up of presenters and honorees. Christopher Plummer will be on hand to accept this year’s Cinema Master Award on along with other special guests.

 Sarasota Closing Night Film Saturday, April 17 Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20

Mike Mills’ “Beginners”, a Focus Features release, has been selected as the Closing Night Film. “Beginners”, starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, and Mélanie Laurent, imaginatively explores the hilarity, confusion, and surprises of love through the evolving consciousness of Oliver (Mr. McGregor). Oliver meets the irreverent and unpredictable Anna (Ms. Laurent) only months after his father Hal (Mr. Plummer) has passed away. This new love floods Oliver with memories of his father who – following 44 years of marriage – came out of the closet at age 75 to live a full, energized, and wonderfully tumultuous gay life. The upheavals of Hal’s new honesty, by turns funny and moving, brought father and son closer than they’d ever been able to be. Now Oliver endeavors to love Anna with all the bravery, humor, and hope that his father taught him.  The film is a must see!