Tyler premieres Axis at Sarasota Film Festival

Actress. Comedienne. Podcaster. And now, feature filmmaker. Aisha Tyler has proven her perpetual worth ethic over decades in television and movies in the industry. She passed a major milestone as a director Friday night when Axis, the feature-length directorial debut, world premiered at the Sarasota Film Festival. The charismatic filmmaker strolled the red carpet alongside actor Emmett Hughes, the star of the film, before promising an emotionally challenging experience to film-goers at the Regal Hollywood 20. “Be prepared,” she the audience for the screening. “It’s artsy.”

Kopple takes webcam tale to silver screen with ‘This is Everything’

Barbara Kopple’s newest documentary, This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, will likely be seen on the video sharing platform YouTube Red by far more people than ever purchase a ticket to see the movie in theaters. But she’s still excited to have brought the film to the Sarasota Film Festival this weekend as a Centerpiece Film. “Being on a screen in beautiful,” says Kopple, who still loves the idea of movies as a communal experience.

At the end of the day, though, she wants as many people as possible to see her film, which recounts the life of YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous.

2017 Sarasota Film Fest Opening Night!

Check out pictures from 2017 Sarasota Film Festival’s Opening Night.

Kennedy’s ‘Take Every Wave’ Coasts Through Sarasota Film Festival

The call of the ocean rings familiar to many of us living on the Gulf Coast. The beach bums, boaters, fishermen, divers—this region calls a siren’s sound to many a waterman. But it remains clear that surfer supreme Laird Hamilton, subject of Rory Kennedy’s new documentary Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton, may feel a deeper attraction even than the ticket holders watching the film at the Sarasota Opera House on Friday night.

Tucci, Arquette to attend Sarasota Film Festival

Both Stanley Tucci and Rosanna Arquette will attend the Sarasota Film Festival, which runs from March 31 through April 9. In addition to promoting films in the program, each will participate in the festival’s “In Conversation With…” series discussing their acting and filmmaking careers.

2017 SFF Press Kickoff Party

Sarasota Film Festival to Spotlight Heroes of Science, Sport and Sustainability

Science, sustainability and celebrity will soon blast across Sarasota movie screens. The Sarasota Film Festival released its full program Monday evening, and in addition to bring such star filmmakers as Diane Lane, Aisha Tylor and Rory Kennedy to town, programmers announced documentaries on the space program and environmental protection along with films celebrating cultures around the globe. “It’s important to take films from all over the world and create comprehensive programming that makes sense and that will showcase the most original and innovative,” says Larisa Apan, senior programmer.

Sarasota Film Festival releases complete 2017 line-up of films

The Sarasota Film Festival today released its complete program of films. The festival runs from March 31 to April 9. Full line-up below the fold:

‘Laird Hamilton,’ ‘Paris Can Wait’ to Tentpole Sarasota Film Festival

The Sarasota Film Festival today announced Rory Kennedy’s documentary Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton as its Opening Night film and Eleanor Coppola’s Paris Can Wait (pictured) starring Diane Lane as its Closing Night film. It also announced Michael Almereyda’s Marjorie Prime and Barbara Kopple’s documentary This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous as its Centerpiece films, a special screening of Jill Campbell’s documentary Mr. Chibbs focused on the life of former NBA star Kenny Anderson produced by Coastal Transportation President Barry Greenstein, and Aisha Tyler’s Axis as part of the Independent Visions Competition.

“This year’s festival is reflective of the power and strength women around the world showcase every day, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Mark Famiglio, President of the Sarasota Film Festival. “To have iconic and talented women such as Diane Lane, Rory Kennedy, and Aisha Tyler attend the festival this year is a great honor.”

From the release:

The Fabulous Independent Film Festival this week announced its full line-up of films.

The event runs September 30 through October 2. The festival has moved out from the auspices of the Sarasota Film Society and under the oversight of the Harvey Milk Festival, but the spirit in true independence, both in the sense of film and of the individual, remains clear in the festival’s programming. Festival founder Magda Diouri promises the event this year will showcase self-discovery. “I don’t start with a theme in mind,” Diouri says. “It appears throughout the selection process. This year’s theme is ‘finding oneself.”

The LGBT-themed event will open with a screening of Closet Monster, starring True Crime’s Connor Jessup. The movie won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto International Film Festival. There will also be a special beachfront screening Real Boy. An exact location for the screening has yet to be announced. Other films will screen at Burns Court Cinema. An Opening Night Party will be held September 30 at Made, starting at 10pm.

This will be the fifth year of the event since it relaunched as the Fabulous Independent Film Festival. Last year, Diouri turned the independent event, itself an offshoot of the Film Society’s Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Read the Sept. 8 edition of SRQ Daily to learn more about the event.

Closet Monster, 7:30pm, 9/30

The film follows the emotionally scarred life of Oscar (True Crime’s Connor Jessup), a gay Canadian teen guided by his ‘spirit animal’ Buffy the hamster (voiced by Isabella Rossellini) during his first tumultuous boyfriend experience. The film has won numerous awards including Best Canadian Feature Film at The Toronto International Film Festival.

Where Are You Going Habibi?, 1pm, 10/1

Ibrahim, a young German of Turkish Descent, leads a dual life: he lives with his tradition-bound family, but outside home he is a confident gay man looking to find love and a job. 

Me, Myself and Her, 3:30pm, 10/1

An Italian comedic-drama exploring the dynamics between two mature women, Marina and Frederica. Marina is a once popular and loved actress, confident about her sexuality, whereas Frederica, a divorced architect is in a her first ever relationship with a woman.

Lazy Eye, 6pm, 10/1

Passions reignite and secrets are revealed when a graphic designer reconnects with the great, lost love of his life for a weekend tryst at a house in the desert near Joshua Tree.

Real Boy, 8:30p, 10/1, beach screening, location TBD

The documentary, which won the Audience Award at Frameline Film Festival, offers an intimate glimpse into the family life of a transgender adolescent male dealing with family conflict as he works on becoming a musician. Featured image above.

Love is All You Need?, 2:30pm, 10/2

When a female quarterback falls in love with a male journalist, they are harassed after their relationship becomes public in an overwhelmingly homosexual world where heterosexuality is publicly reviled. Based on the multi-award winning short film of the same name.

Hunky Dory, 5pm, 10/2

Sidney’s constant search for cash, drugs, and sex (with men and women) is interrupted when he finds his 11-year-old son Georgie in his apartment, dropped off by Sidney’s ex who has left town without warning or an explanation. Winner of Best Narrative at Slamdance Film Festival.