Sarasota Film Society hosts Academy Awards parties

   You're probably planning on sitting at home watching the Oscars on Sunday, but here's a better idea: You can watch them on a big screen, with an open bar, surrounded by some serious film buffs.

   The Sarasota Film Society is hosting its annual Academy Awards Party on Sunday at both Burns Court and Lakewood Ranch cinemas. Pick whichever one's closer to you, because the events are pretty much the same at both theaters.
   The evening starts at 7 p.m. with a VIP Red Carpet reception, just before the Oscars show starts. There's an open wine, beer and soft drink bar for the entire event, and hors d'oeuvres during the red carpet part. There's also a silent auction, a trivia contest with prizes, and lots of other cool stuff. 
   Tickets are $20 for Sarasota Film Society members and $25 for everyone else. They're available at the box offices -- Burns Court is at 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch Cinemas is at 10715 Rodeo Drive No. 8, Lakewood Ranch -- or online at www.filmsociety.org.

Sarasota Film Festival announces a few events

Actor Frank Langella (second from left)
greeted film lovers on the red carpet last year.

If you're a film buff, you probably already have know that the 15th annual Sarasota Film Festival is scheduled for April.5-14. What you may not know (because it's only recently been announced) is that the box office will open March 15. The lineup of films is going to be announced two days earlier.

A couple of events have already been announced though. There's an Opening Night Film Party set for Van Wezel Hall at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, starting with the red carpet at 6 p.m.m a film at 7 p.m. and the party itself starting at 9 p.m. Last year professional wrestlers were on the red carpet, which for some reason the film festival people thought was really cool, and the Flying Wallenda Family performed were overhead, which actually is kinda cool..Organizers have't announced what they'll have in store for this year.

Also, Cinema Tropicale, the annual island-themed party, is set for 8:30 p.m. April 12 at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 100 Ringling Blvd.

The box office will again be at the Regal Hollywood 20 Cinema at 1993 Main St. in downtown Sarasota. 

There's not much more information available right now, but sarasotafilmfestival.com has the latestdetails

Cine-World brings Oscar buzz to Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch

Bill Murray as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 'Hyde park on Hudson.' Daybreak Pictures.

The Sarasota Film Society's annual Cine-World Film Festival, which starts Friday, again features a fine mix of pictures generating Oscar buzz as well as surprises from around the globe.

The 50 selections are being primarily shown at Burns Court Cinemas but there are also festival screenings at Sarasota Film Society's Lakewood Ranch Cinemas.

SFS Artistic Director Michael Kayatta deems this year's Cine-World as strong as any in the festival's 23-year history.

"We have a lot of weird and interesting films this year," he said.

"One of the interesting things about this festival is people can get a pass or tickets and just go and pick 10 movies and there's a really good chance they'll enjoy what they find."

Read more.

Sarasota Film Society 's Cine-World Film Festival schedule announced

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in "Silver Linings Playbook." (The Weinstein Co.)

The Sarasota Film Society 23rd annual Cine-World Film Festival features pictures from around the globe including opening night film “Quartet,” by director Dustin Hoffman and starring Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly and Michael Gambon.

Other spotlight titles include David O. Russell's "Silver Lings Playbook," Edward Burn's "The Fitzgerald Family Christmas," Steve James’ "Head Games" and Michael Haneke's "Amour," Austria’s official submission to the 2013 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

“This is easily one the strongest lineups Cine-World has seen in its 23-year history,” said Michael Kayatta, artistic director for Sarasota Film Society, in a statement issued today. “We can’t wait for people to see what we’ve brought to Sarasota.”

The 2012 Cine-World Film Festival is Nov. 9-18. Screenings will be held primarily at Burns Court Cinemas in downtown Sarasota with special shows at Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. Festival passes will be available for members of Sarasota Film Society online Oct. 24. Advance passes will be available to the public beginning Oct. 29. Individual tickets will become available Nov. 2. All passes and films can be purchased online at www.filmsociety.org.

Movieville Int'l Film Festival announces lineup

The Movieville International Film Festival's lineup has been announced:

Click for more info.