7th Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa Bay, Florida

The 7th annual Gasparilla International Film Festival runs from March 19 to 24 this year. It is one of the main highlights of the institution’s year-long initiatives to advance film education, production and screenings to cultivate and boost the film industry in Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

The GIFF is one of the largest independent film festivals in Tampa Bay, Florida. It was founded in 2006 and operated by the Tampa Film Institute. The Tampa Museum of Art provides monthly film screenings for local residents through its Global Lens series. Activities this year make the celebration seem like a red-carpet Hollywood event. More than 100 films are scheduled to be screen during the duration of the festival.

Surprise Visit

Irish actor Colin Farrell made a surprise visit to Tampa Bay, a first time for the charismatic actor. He came last Thursday to support Ante Novakovic, his collaborator and friend. Novakovic is a published playwright and poet whose short film, “The Fix” starring Armand Assante is being screened in the 7th Gasparilla International Film Festival. This is first foray into writing for and directing a film. Farrell has starred in films such as “In Bruges” where he received a Gold Globe in 2008, “Alexander” and “Total Recall.” He will soon be seen in the adaptation of “Winter’s Tale” and in “Dead Man Down.”

Activities this year

This is another packed year for the festival, with a series of activities that make the residents of Tampa and the GIFF proud.

On March 19, the Tampa Theater hosted the opening event of the GIFF, the world premiere of the Hollywood movie “Empire State,” a 2013 drama movie starring Liam Hemsworth and Emma Roberts. In town for the premiere were producer Randall Emmett, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Michael Angarano, a film co-star and Dito Montiel, its director. Mayor Bob Buckhorn came to support the GIFF by attending the screening.

The Gasparilla International Film Festival will also celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the film, “The Punisher,” which starred John Travolta and Thomas Jane. It was filmed around Tampa Bay in locations such as Fort DeSoto, Downtown Tampa, Claw Golf Course and Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The screening of the Marvel Comics-inspired movie will be in Ybor at 6:30 PM, March 23. Thomas Jane will be attending the screening. After the screening he will be presented by the Board of Directors of the GIFF with a Career Achievement Award for 2013. Joining Mr. Jane are The Punisher’s screenwriter Michael France and Florida crew members and cast of the said film.

Closing the festival will be the world premiere of “The Silent Majority,” a teen-inspiring film shot in Florida. It highlights the substance and alcohol abuse prevention programs for teens. It is from the same group that created the documentary “Secret World of Recovery,” which received a Voice Award nomination in 2012. The film is produced by the Rehab Productions and Reach Out Recovery group.

Photo by Sean Patrick Hopwood