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3/17/08 Third Annual Sunscreen Film Festival
The third annual Sunscreen Film Festival, running March
19-22, 2008 has grown from 600 attendees to an anticipated 8,000 attendees
in 2008. The Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club continues to be home
base for the festival, with additional locations throughout downtown St.
Petersburg added this year, which include: Muvico, Baywalk, Push
Ultra Lounge, State Theatre, Nova 535 and seven distinct venues along Central
Avenue between 1st and 4th Streets during the
city’s Friday Night Party event.
The festival received 240 entries from over a dozen countries
including, Japan, Germany, UK, Australia, Italy, France, Switzerland, China, Iraq, Canada, Palestine and the US. This represents a 20% increase in the amount
of film submissions from prior years due to its growing worldwide
awareness. The Sunscreen Film Festival is pleased to host seven World
Premiers and fifteen films shot within the state of Florida, with an
overwhelming display of storytelling and filmmaking caliber. Film
submission facts include: 58 feature films, 182 short films, 14 animated
films, 34 documentaries, 12 music videos, and 47 Florida films.
Attendees this year will be able to vote on their favorite
films a la American Idol. Audience members will be able to text message
their vote for their favorite film in various categories. “It’s
the audience that ultimately decides the merits of any film,” stated
Tony Armer, executive director of the Sunscreen Film Festival.
In addition, there will bean exclusive screening of
“Raiders of the Lost Ark: The adaptation 1982-1988. This is a
complete remake of the original Spielberg Raiders by three young men from Mississippi who began the project when they were 10, 11, and 12 and took subsequent years
to complete. The reproduction has been blessed by Spielberg and has played
to sold-out festivals around the world.
This year’s festival also includes a host of special
guests. John Travolta and Kelly Preston hosted the festival’s
kick-off party on March 4th held at Push Ultra Lounge.
“People who know me know that I am a great believer in the creative
process, and I am excited to be a part of something that is honoring the
next generation of film makers. I love living in Florida and want to see
more films made here – this is what Sunscreen is working toward and I
support what they are doing,” stated Travolta. Other special guests
to appear include: Steven E de Souza, co-writer of 48 Hrs. and Die Hard;
Karl Iglesias, author of 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters; and
Timothy J. Sexton, Oscar-nominated co-writer of Children of Men.
More information
about the third annual Sunscreen Film Festival can been found at: www.SunscreenFilmFestival.com, Festival Program, Indy Begets Indie article, and A Lift from Travolta article.
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