MANATEE -- For the first time in its 14-year history, the Sarasota Film Festival is presenting official screenings and events in the Bradenton area.

A partnership with State College of Florida, the collaboration, dubbed "SFF@SCF," brings movies and conversations to the campus' Neel Performing Arts Center in Bradenton.

Featuring a day of family films celebrating Earth Day, as well as popular selections from the festival's extensive program, SFF@SCF offers a wide range of cinematic attractions.

In addition to three documentary films, two of which center around young girls who are environmental activists, the film festival will be presenting two narrative feature films by women directors at SCF.

"We are thrilled to bring the Sarasota Film Festival to Manatee County," said SFF Director Tom Hall, in a statement to the Herald. "We hope that this program encourages our community in Manatee to take in a full slate of SFF films and events, and we are honored to partner with make SCF to make the Neel Performing Arts Center our home for the 2012 Festival."

The Sarasota Film Festival Manatee Kick Off Party, which is free and open to the public, takes place 5:30-7 p.m. March 29 at Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 Riverside Drive E., Bradenton.

Attendees are invited to learn more about the festival and pick up tickets to all SFF films and events while enjoying appetizers, giveaways and a cash bar.

SFF@SCF starts 5:30 p.m. April 20 with the panel discussion "Women In Film: Fostering Collaboration And Creativity."

The Canadian film "I am a Good Person/I am a Bad Person" will be screened the same day at 7:30 p.m.

The Earth Day Film series, featuring an outdoor Earth Day fair for all ages, sponsored by Mote Marine, SCF and SFF, is April 21.

And on April 22, the U.S. film "Your Sister's Sister," starring Emily Blunt ("The Devil Wears Prada"), will be screened at 2 p.m.

Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-745-7057. Follow Twitter.com/wtatangelo.