Sarasota Film Festival to honor Sophia Loren

Every year, the Sarasota Film Festival picks one iconic performer or director to receive its Legend Award. Past recipients have included Charlize Theron, Robert Altman, Kevin Kline, Sidney Pollack and Stanley Tucci.

On March 31, the festival will present its Legend Award to Academy Award-winning actress Sophia Loren. She was already scheduled to be in town for "An Evening With Sophia Loren" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

She'll receive the award at the Van Wezel. After the presentation, "Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Bill Harris will join the celebrated actress on stage for "An Evening With Sophia Loren."

That will serve as the kick-off for the 2016 Sarasota Film Festival, which opens April 1 and runs through April 10.

The schedule of films and other events for this year's festival will be announced Wednesday evening, stay tuned to Bradenton.com for the announcement.

Details: 8 p.m. March 31, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $80-$130. Information: 941-953-3368, vanwezel.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Sarasota Film Festival to honor Sophia Loren ."