Independent films, documentaries and short features - along with celebrity actresses - comprise the 10-day Sarasota Film Festival
SARASOTA -- Ellie and Larry Davidson, of Sarasota, have blocked out the next week to immerse themselves in 10 films they've selected as part of this year's 2015 Sarasota Film Festival.
The couple has been coming to the festival in downtown Sarasota for the past four years since they first moved to Florida from New York, and Saturday, the sec
ond day of the 17th annual independent film event, they chose their first two films of the day: "To Life" and "Almost There."
"To Life" is a narrative film about three female survivors of Auschwitz and "Almost There" is a documentary about an elderly artist whose world changes when he's discovered by two filmmakers.
"We enjoy documentaries, foreign films and interesting stories. Not a lot of Hollywood 'shoot-'em-up' films, we don't go for that. Most of these films have some merit to them," Ellie Davidson said, while waiting for the 1 p.m. screening of "To Life" at the Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 Theater, 1993 Main St., where the movies will screen throughout the week.
"And, in all likelihood, you won't see these films in the theaters. You probably won't see them anyplace else," added her husband, Larry.
The festival offers the community more than 180 films, including features, documentaries, short films and some youthful pieces, produced by new and veteran independent filmmakers, both domestic and international.
This year, the festival makes a conscientious effort to support local filmmakers who live and work in Florida, films with serious social issues, and films that spotlight women's issues and gender equality. "We definitely need these small, independent films. We have a few, but not enough," Janine Iskowitz said, as she waited to purchase tickets with her friend, Maureen Simmons, both of Sarasota, who said they have been coming to the festival for several years.
Volunteer George Ruhl said he got to experience opening night Friday evening at the Sarasota Opera House, which featured Oren Moverman's "Time Out of Mind," about homelessness, starring Richard Gere and Ben Vereen.
"I thought it was an excellent film, very intense and illuminating," Ruhl said Saturday, while working the back of the house at Hollywood 20 where the film festival is primarily taking place,
The first weekend of the festival is also devoted to films directed by women on subjects important to women that transcend all countries and cultures.
Through Women's Eyes, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Chapter, United States National Committee - UN Women partnered with the Sarasota Film Festival to bring 19 feature and short films to the Hollywood 20, highlighted by a filmakers' reception held on Saturday evening at the Sarasota City Center, where moviegoers mingled with visiting female filmmakers from Israel, Australia, Switzerland, and Denmark.
"Through Women's Eyes is the major fundraiser for the Gulf Coast Chapter of UN Women," said Ann Fries, artistic director of Through Women's Eyes. "We send the money raised here at the film festival to the National Committee and everyone working here is a volunteer. These films are very special because they connect women to each other."
Besides the focus on female directors, several female celebrities will dominate the second half of the Sarasota Film Festival beginning next weekend. Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress Cloris Leachman will receive the 2015 Prime Time Legend, Award while starring in Ryan Jaffe's narrative "This is Happening." Actress Jane Seymour, best known for television's "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," is this year's recipient of the Icon of Television Award, and starring in the film "Bereave." Actress Blythe Danner, mother of Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, will host an intimate "Tea by the Sea" lunch at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club in Sarasota, along with Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz, who produced and stars in "Radiator," part of the Festival's Narrative Feature Competition.
A complete movie and event schedule, along with ticket and parking information is available at sarasotafilmfestival.com.
Kathryn Moschella, Lakewood Ranch reporter can be reached at 941-745-7010. Follow her on Twitter @MoschellaHerald.
This story was originally published April 12, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Independent films, documentaries and short features - along with celebrity actresses - comprise the 10-day Sarasota Film Festival ."