SARASOTA -- The Sarasota Film Festival says it wants to make its biggest splash ever this year in Manatee County.

The festival’s first “town hall meeting” Wednesday at Selby Library educated the public and welcomed questions about the 14th annual Sarasota Film Festival that will be held April 13-22; although no actual movie titles or celebrity appearances were revealed.

SFF Director Tom Hall did the majority of speaking, assisted by festival associates Veronica Pastore, director of marketing; Allison Koehler, director of education; Kathy Jordan, managing director; and programmer Magida Diouri.

Mark Famiglio, president of SFF’s board of directors, spoke up about Bradenton during the question-and answer-session that concluded the meeting.

“Is it true about the festival’s increased presence in Manatee County?” he asked from his seat at the back of the capacity-filled Gelbart Auditorium.

Famiglio later told the Herald they were in talks to bring the Sarasota Film Festival to Bradenton venues and benefit children’s charities in Manatee County.

“We want to have our biggest presence to date this year in Manatee County,” he said.

Hall agreed. “Our goal this year is to bring films and filmmakers to Manatee County during the festival itself,” he said. “In the past, we did events prior to the festival but never concurrent -- we’re trying very hard to make that happen.” The full film line-up will be announced on March 19 with tickets on sale to the general public beginning March 23.

Information: 941-364-9514 or visit www.sarasotafilmfestival.com.