Sarasota Film Festival's Major Films Announced

The Sarasota Film Festival released its teaser to its feature event Monday, announcing its major films as well as the first batch of stars. 

The Film Festival takes place April 5-14 in downtown Sarasota, and will kick off with Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Blackfish, screened at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Friday. April 5.

The documentary was screened at Sundance and covers the story of the killer whale who in 2010 killed a trainer, Dawn Brancheau, at SeaWorld in Orlando.

“As a leader in the cultural life of our community, The Sarasota Film Festival once again looks forward to introducing Sarasota to a new group of superlative films and artists,” says Sarasota Film Festival Board President Mark Famiglio in a prepared statement. “Our festival continues to thrive in no small part because of the support of our patrons and sponsors, and I know they share our excitement for this year’s event. ” 

Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha will close out the festival on April 13 at the Sarasota Opera House.

The centerpiece films will be James Ponsoldt's The Spectacular Now and Barbara Kopple's Running From Crazy. 

Most films will be screened at the Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 on Main Street, and the rest of the line-up and programs will be announced March 13.

A new Spotlight series will be introduced this year featuring Carlos Puga's Burma starring Christopher Abbott and Gaby Hoffman along with Justin Schwarz's The Discoverers, which stars Griffin Dune. 

Will Slocombe's Pasadena will make its world premiere at the festival, and stars Peter Bogdanovich and Cheryl Hines.

Awards

Mariel Hemingway will receive the festival's third annual Impact Award at the Tribune Luncheon, set for 11 a.m., Friday, April 12, at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

The award goes to women in film industry for their off-screen impact. Hemingway's honor is for her suicide prevention advocacy, according to the festival. The award is presented by the Gulf Coast Chapter of UN Women. 

Actress Lili Taylor will receive the Career Achievement in Acting Award, and will attend the festival for the North American premiere of Tom Gilroy's The Cold Lands, which is entered in the Narrative Feature Competition. 

Two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple will receive the festival’s Director’s Award, and the festival’s Achievement in Acting Award will go to Griffin Dunne for his performance in The Discoverers. 

The festival’s World Cinema Award will be given to Canadian actress Suzanne Clément for her performance in Xavier Dolan’s film Laurence Anyways, which will also be playing in festival’s the Narrative Feature Competition.

Factory 25 will present the Independent Visions Award. The Brooklyn-based film distributor will also award the winner "an unprecedented distribution offer from Factory 25," according to the festival.

"I've considered Sarasota Film Festival one of the top U.S. festivals for years," said Factory 25 founder Matt Grady. "They consistently curate some of the most progressive, engaging, and polarizing indie films for their audience. Partnering with the SFF to give out this award just makes sense."

Conversation Series

The popular Conversation Series where filmmakers and stars discuss their careers and work returns, featuring Hemingway on Thursday, April 11 and Taylor on April 1, Dunne on April 13 and Bogdanovich on April 14.