5 Sarasota Film Fest Movies Come to Bradenton

Bradenton, you're gonna be a star!

The Sarasota Film Festival announced Monday evening details of its expansion into Bradenton and Manatee County, which includes a program at and a kick-off party at . This is the first time the festival will have screenings and events in Manatee County. 

"Our goal is really to reach as many people as possible with our movies," festival executive director Tom Hall told Bradenton Patch. "We already draw really great support and response from Bradenton and it's a way to give something back."

First up is a partnership with the , 5840 26th St. West,  called SFF@SCF where movies will be screened April 20-22 at Neel Performing Arts Center. One day will celebrate Earth Day with family films.

The will also be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays as a box office from noon to 2 p.m. starting Monday through April 18.  The box office at Neel will also be open before all screenings on April 20-22.

The film that most audiences might recognize some star power is Your Sister's Sister. The feature stars Emily Blunt, who was in The Young Victoria and The Devil Wears Prada, Rosemarie DeWitt, who had starred in Mad Men, comedian Mike Birbiglia and Mark Duplass, who co-wrote and co-directed dark comedy Cyrus with his brother Jay Duplass.

Your Sister's Sister is about two longtime friends looking to find happiness at the end of a difficult year. Things get complicated after a drunken night. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was also screened at Sundance Film Festival. It will be screened at 2 p.m. April 22 at the Neel.

Some of the films at Neel are a part of the Film Festival's YouthFest — also a first for the festival. This is a series of films that are geared toward kids, and children get a special promotion. All films are free for kids 12 years old and younger, but they must get a ticket. All other student tickets will cost $8 or a student passport can be purchased for four films for only $20. Student ID required.

"To me, it's the accessibility and affordability that's awesome to see," said Allison Kohler, director of education for the festival. 

Additional youth events will take place in Sarasota, including a student cinema showcase on April 15 at the Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20. Films made by students ages 18 and under will be featured that night. Tickets for students are $5.

"I want people to have fun and encourage them to come down to Sarasota and see the rest of the program," Hall said, adding he hopes that Cortez Road doesn't become a "giant barrier" for folks from both counties for the festival. 

And maybe a free party is a way to do that. The free SFF Manatee Kick-Off Party is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 29 at the Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, giveaways and a cash bar are a few of the features at the event. Tickets for the festival can also be picked up at the party.

Tickets for all SFF@SCF events are available at sarasotafilmfestival.com, the Sarasota Film Festival Box Office at 1993 Main St., Sarasota, inside the lobby of the Regal Hollywood 20 in Downtown Sarasota, or by contacting the SFF Call Center at 941-366-6200.

Also new this year is an iPhone app for the Film Festival that gives movie times, ratings, trailers, and adding movies to your schedule. You can filter movies by venue, time, and more. Click on the link above to visit the Apple App Store for the Film Festival app or search for Sarasota Film Festival on your iPhone.

Sarasota Film Festival Movies at Neel Performing Arts Center

April 20 — 7:30 p.m.

I Am A Good Person/I Am A Bad Person | Director: Ingrid Veninger | Category: Narrative Feature | Stars Hallie Switzer, Ingrid Veninger, Jacob Switzer, Matthieu Chesneau, Suzana Mikytova | Synopsis: An insecure filmmaker leaves her husband and son in Toronto to hit the European film festival circuit with her 18-year-old daughter where the two part ways.

April 21 — 1 p.m.

Otter 501 | Director: Bob Tablot | Category: YouthFest!; Narrative Feature | Synopsis: A sea otter pup is separated from her mother as Katie, a young woman bound for adventure, blows into town. | Presented in a sensory-friendly environment.

April 21 — 3:30 p.m.

How I Became An Elephant | Director: Tim Gorski, Synthian Sharp | Category: YouthFest!; Documentary Feature | Stars: Juliette West, Sangduen (Lek) Chailert | Synopsis: When Juliette West sets out on a quest to educate herself about the plight of elephants, she got far more than she bargained for.

April 21 — 7 p.m.

Chasing Ice | Director: Jeff Orlowski | Category: Documentary Film Competition | Synopsis: A National Geographic photographer uses a revolutionary time-lapse camera system to capture a multi-year record of the world's changing glaciers through the Extreme Ice Survey. | Preceded by short film eXtinction directed by Clayton Haskell.

April 22 — 2 p.m.

Your Sister's Sister | Director: Lynn Shelton | Category: Narrative Feature | Stars: Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, Mark Duplass, Mike Birbiglia | Synopsis: Two longtime friends look to find happiness at the end of a difficult year. Things get complicated after a drunken night of debauchery.