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Library will give obscure films early screenings

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published August 2, 2006

MADEIRA BEACH - The first Tuesday of each month is more than just the day after Monday; it's a chance to see a first-run, award-winning independent or foreign film for free at the Gulf Beaches Library.

The library is taking part in the Film Movement program, which sends new curator-selected films chosen from film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes and the Toronto Film Festival to subscribers each month.

Film Movement allows public libraries performance rights to screen the films, which are often shown before they hit theatrical screens in some communities.

"We enjoy presenting programs that serve the community, and we feel really good about welcoming the public in with such a quality film series," said Stanley Silverstein, circulation manager for the Gulf Beaches Public Library and organizer of the film series.

For example, this month's film, The Forest for the Trees, is a 2006 Sundance Film Festival award winner. The German film centers on the trials of a naive first-year high school teacher who grew up in the country and finds herself in unfamiliar territory in a tough urban school.

Though most of the films are geared toward adults, Silverstein previews the films before screening them publicly to ensure that they are fairly family-friendly.

"I don't know how many kids are really into reading subtitles. But I try to avoid obscure films that may be too edgy for younger people, so I look for movement in the films and lots of great cinematography," Silverstein said.

Part of the motivation behind the program for the company supplying the films is hope of generating buzz for movies that lack the momentum provided by large commercial distribution and marketing campaigns, he said.

"So many independent films are made that not many of them are released to movie theaters, so we think it's pretty exciting. I've seen hundreds of foreign films and really enjoy them, so this project has been a labor of love for me."

The film screenings are the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Gulf Beaches Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach. For more information on upcoming film series screenings, visit the library's Web site at http://gulfbeacheslib.org/news.php or call 727 391-2828, ext. 202.

St. Pete Beach

The Historic Preservation Board will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday in the commission chambers at City Hall, 155 Corey Ave.

Treasure Island

The Island Community Theater's board of directors will meet at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14 at Gators Cafe & Saloon, 12574 Kingfish Drive, John's Pass.

Tierra Verde

The Tierra Verde Community Association's board of directors will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 14 at the association office, 1275 Pinellas Bayway S (the Mercantile Bank building, second floor). All community association members are welcome to attend.

News for the Beaches Neighborhood Notebook may be e-mailed to SPTimes listings@yahoo.com or mailed to Lorrie Lykins, P.O. Box 4954, Seminole, FL 33775. The deadline for inclusion in the Wednesday Neighborhood Times is the previous Friday.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 12:52:08]