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Film
Sunscreen showcases independent film projects
By Steve Persall
Published April 5, 2007
Sunscreen Film Festival - The second annual showcase of feature films, shorts and documentaries - many created by Tampa Bay artists - moves in to the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg. More than 75 works will be shown this weekend on two screens constructed in the Palm ballrooms for the event. The festival was created by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Film Society, which encourages young local filmmakers and presents films and videos often overlooked by larger festivals. Sunscreen's lineup also reaches beyond Florida to Korea, Russia and the Netherlands for several state and eastern U.S. premieres. Friday's opening night festivities include an 8 p.m. Florida premiere of Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life, a documentary profile of Darius Weems, born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The teenager had never ventured outside his home state of Georgia until friends rented a wheelchair-accessible recreational vehicle for a road trip. Their mission: to convince MTV's Pimp My Ride to customize his wheelchair and raise awareness of his disease. Weems and director-composer Logan Smalley will attend Friday's screening, and Sunday's 7 p.m. encore. Tickets for these shows and each program throughout the weekend are $6 per event. Tickets for Friday's post-show reception for Weems are $30, available at the door and online (www.sunscreen filmfestival.com) with a service charge added. Saturday's lineup of nine programs begins at 10 a.m. with a collection of children's shorts and ends with a 10 p.m. party ($30 per ticket). The day also includes a 2 p.m. panel discussion of film financing and distribution strategies with Hollywood studio veterans John Flynn and David R. Anderson, and independent filmmakers Jamie Fleming and Liron Artzi. Sunday's schedule starts at 12:30 p.m. with a Florida film showcase, concluding at 9 p.m. with an awards ceremony ($20 per ticket). Ticket packages are available for $50 (film events only) and $80 (access to shows and parties). Check the Web site or call festival co-founder Tony Armer at (727) 420-4536 for information. Steve Persall, Times film critic
[Last modified April 4, 2007, 11:18:34]
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by Darlene
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04/09/07 01:29 PM
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Pretty Cool! Tony was a very imaginative child and his desire to be a world traveler and film director have never subsided. Needless to say, his mom is pretty darn proud of him! Love ya KID!!!
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Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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