Sarasota Film Festival Announces Huge Opening & Closing Night Events & Honorees for Several Award Presentations
The Sarasota Film Festival (SFF) announced today the documentary MIKE WALLACE IS HERE, from director AVI BELKIN, will serve as the Opening Night Film for the 2019 Sarasota Film Festival, and PHIL, the directorial debut of Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy Award®-nominated actor GREG KINNEAR, will make its World Premiere at the festival as the Closing Night Film.
Kinnear and Belkin will both be in attendance at the festival.The festival will also screen Noble Jones’ THE TOMORROW MAN, as the Centerpiece film, starring Emmy Award®-winning and Tony Award®-winning actress BLYTHE DANNER.
During the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 13th, prior to the Closing Night Film in the historic Sarasota Opera House, Danner will receive the festival’s SFF Icon Award, and Emmy Award®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated actress ANNE HECHE will receive the festival’s SFF Career Tribute Award. Belkin, Kinnear, Danner, and Heche will all participate in the festival’s popular In Conversation With series.
“The Sarasota audiences are sure to enjoy two engaging and completely different films at the start and end of our festival. Mike Wallace is a historic figure with a remarkable story, and we are delighted to have Greg Kinnear share the World Premiere of his directorial debut,” said Mark Famiglio, Chairman and President of the Sarasota Film Festival. “We are honored to present awards to Blythe Danner and Anne Heche, whose work over the years have entertained audiences and who could not be more worthy of special, distinguished recognition.”
MIKE WALLACE IS HERE, which made its World Premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was recently acquired by Magnolia Pictures, will open the festival on Friday, April 5th at The Historic Sarasota Municipal Auditorium with a 7:30PM screening. From director Avi Belkin, the film explores the work and life of 60 Minutes newsman Mike Wallace through footage and behind-the-scenes moments from his extraordinary 50-plus-year career in broadcast journalism.
PHIL, the closing film of the festival and the directorial debut of Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy Award®-nominated actor Greg Kinnear (AS GOOD AS IT GETS, SABRINA, YOU’VE GOT MAIL, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), focuses on a man (Kinnear) struggling with everyday life and attempting to understand what it means to “have it all.” The film, co-starring Emily Mortimer and Bradley Whitford, will screen at the Sarasota Opera House on Saturday, April 13th beginning at 6:00PM.
THE TOMORROW MAN will screen as the festival Centerpiece film on Saturday, April 13th at 2:00PM at the Regal Hollywood 11. Starring Danner and Academy Award®-nominated, Emmy Award®-winning and Tony Award®-winning actor John Lithgow, the film, which had its World Premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, tells a couple’s eccentric love story during their twilight years. The film will be released on May 24th by Bleecker Street.
Danner will be receiving the festival’s SFF Icon Award. An Emmy Award®-winning and Tony Award®-winning actress, Danner was a guest at the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival. Some of her many notable film credits include THE GREAT SANTINI, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, MR. & MRS. BRIDGE, THE PRINCE OF TIDES, MEET THE PARENTS, WHAT THEY HAD, and I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.
Heche will be honored with the SFF Career Tribute Award. An Emmy Award®-winning and Tony Award®-nominated actress, Heche has starred in renowned films including DONNIE BRASCO, WAG THE DOG, JOHN Q, and SIX DAYS, SEVEN NIGHTS as well as indie hits including WALKING AND TALKING, BIRTH, RAMPART, and CEDAR RAPIDS.
The 21st annual Sarasota Film Festival, which will take place from April 5th to April 14th, greatly appreciates the support of its corporate sponsors, including The Famiglio Family, Amicus Foundation, Regal Entertainment, Herald-Tribune Media Group, The Overton, The_Modern, Sage, Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Sarasota Scene, SNN, SRQ Media, and METV.
About Sarasota Film Festival
Held annually in Sarasota, FL, The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 200 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks. Entering our 21st year, we’re proud to bring the best new and established independent filmmakers to our Festival with local and kid-friendly programs that showcase our idyllic Gulf Coast community. The festival is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization and also offers a year-round educational program, which reaches thousands of local students through classic film showcases, film contests, summer camps and instructional workshops. This year the festival will take place April 5th – 14th, 2019.
photos from Sarasota Film Festival