Sarasota Film Festival’s Star-Studded Red Carpet Event is Set to Roll

Each spring Sarasota filmmakers, locals and visiting cinephiles mingle to watch hundreds of spectacularly curated films spanning an impressive array of film categories. 

The 27th Annual Sarasota Film Festival will celebrate cinema and filmmaking as a craft, as well as cast a well-deserved spotlight on the organization’s year-long programs sponsored for the economic, educational and cultural benefit of our local community.

The festival marks the culmination of a lively, cultural winter season – an annual pilgrimage for many who flock from all parts of the world to delight in Sarasota’s mild climate and artsy vibe set against dreamy waterscapes and tropical environs.   

“What’s so special about our festival is the care we put into the curation of films," says Paul Ratner, Managing Director of the Sarasota Film Festival. "We also pay a lot of attention to the details and how our festival supports the community,” 

From black-tie to t-shirt, festival events are a key attraction – providing the opportunity to “share the air” with film greats. Prior guests and honorees have included Greg Kinnear, Diane Lane, Jane Seymour, Rachel Weisz, Blythe Danner, Jason Momoa, Peter Bogdanovich, Christopher Plummer, Charlize Theron, Frank Langella, Kevin Kline, Patricia Clarkson, Edward Norton, Sydney Pollack, Robert Altman,  Allison Janney, William H. Macy, Paul Reiser, Sam Elliott, Alan Alda, Woody Harrelson and Jon Voight – just to name-drop a few.

Box Office Now Open – Plan Ahead & Catch the Special Events

Early on murmurs can be heard in the street and at tables about what to see and where to go next to take in the festival’s best. Parties and film fetes run the gamut from well-heeled couture to casual kid-friendly gatherings. Hotels pre-book and restaurants fill up for the 10-day event, so be sure to plan ahead!

Sarasota Modern Hotel Pool Deck, where the Opening Night Party will be held

Dates: April 4 - 13, 2025
Event Venues: The Ora, CineBistro, The Sarasota Modern, Rise Above Performing Arts and Ringling College of Art + Design Auditorium

• Opening Film: Marcella – a documentary about beloved, late cookbook author Marcella Hazan, a Longboat Key resident. 
• Closing Film: Lovers – two women reconnect with their community after a friend's funeral. Taylor McFadden will attend with the film's executive producer, Nathaniel Ratcliffe, a famous singer-songwriter who will perform an acoustic set following the screening. 
• Oscar Nominated Shorts: Beautiful Men by Nicolas Keppens; In the Shadow of the Cypress by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani; Magic Candies by Daisuke Nishio; Wander to Wonder by Nina Gantz; and Tuck! by Loic Espuche. 
• Television: Premiering two episodes of Godfather of Harlem, starring Forest Whitaker as a crime boss. Creator Chris Brancato will attend with actor Rome Flynn. The show premieres on MGM+ in April. 
• Local Documentary: River of Grass – an ode to the Florida Everglades past and present, told through the voice of Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

• Hollywood Nights, Parties, Award Ceremony & Special Presentations: Don't miss the annual Friday Night Street Party in the Rosemary District, SPF's 2025 Award Ceremony at Cinebistro or other fun and educational events. Bookmark and visit the event schedule to order tickets in advance.

   

Watch

Each year begins with the solicitation and careful curation of films conducted by Sarasota Film Festival experts. “Last year, half of the films we screened made the Oscar shortlist,” Ratner says. With hundreds of films of varying categories and lengths, there is something to please any audience from the cinematic genius to curious and casual moviegoers.   

Attendees will be invited to watch the best in cinema – with more than 200 films screened each year – including features, documentaries, shorts and kid-friendly picks. Film categories will range from micro-docs to full-length, with notable features including The Librarians, a story about librarians fighting books banned in Florida; Sally, spotlighting American physicist, astronaut, author and STEM advocate Sally Ride; plus Gallagher, the watermelon-smashing comic who grew up in Tampa. 

Categories include:
•    Documentary (non-fiction over 40 minutes)
•    Narrative Feature (fiction, over 40 minutes)
•    Shorts (40 minutes and fewer)
•    Local Filmmaker (Sarasota and Manatee County films)
•    Florida Filmmakers
•    NYU Students
•    Young Filmmaker Competition (ages 8-18)

Screening and showtime locations: New College of Florida/Sainer Pavilion, CineBistro Siesta Key and Ringling College / Morganroth Auditorium

Stay

Pre-festival drinks at Art Ovation Hotel's Perspective Rooftop & Pool Bar 

Filmmakers love attending the annual festival in Sarasota. “Guests love to visit our luxury hotels and experience our unique vibe and rich culture,” said Ratner.  

Popular hotel options to rest your head, lounge poolside, indulge in spa offerings or grab a rooftop cocktail during the film extravaganza include: The Sarasota Modern, Art Ovation Hotel, Aloft Sarasota, The Westin, voco Sarasota and The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota – all an easy walk or drive from most Downtown Sarasota and festival locations.

For short and long-term stays that are both historic and quintessential Sarasota consider The Reserve Retreat, a landmark boutique hotel in the former home of the Ringling family, and Burns Square Historic Vacation Rentals, artfully 1920’s restored apartments on Sarasota’s famous Pineapple Avenue and just steps from indie movie theater, Burns Court Cinema.

Dine 

Dining out back at Owens Fish Camp, located in the Historic Burns Court District

What better way to indulge in a cinema marathon than tasty food and craft cocktails? From casual to gourmet cuisine experiences, Sarasota does not disappoint. Many restaurants are reachable on foot from theater venues, and others are a quick drive away in surrounding neighborhoods, such as the Rosemary District and Historic Burns Court District. 

For options just a stone's throw away from almost any downtown venue, consider local standouts such as: Sage SRQ, Marina Jack, Selva Grill Downtown, Patricks 1481, Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, Owen's Fish Camp and 1592 Wood-Fired Kitchen & Cocktails. After-dinner and festival drinks are not to be missed at Element's intimate cocktail lounge or overlooking the bay at Jack Dusty.

In the mornings, start your day fresh and movie marathon-ready with a caffeinated beverage or juice at one of the many Downtown Sarasota cafes, including First Watch, Organic Farmer's Table, Breaking Wave Coffee, Project Coffee, O&A Coffee & Supply, Green Zebra and more.

Learn

One of the most cherished aspects of the Sarasota Film Festival is the sense of community that is embedded in all festival activities. Student engagement and craft education opportunities are part of the excitement.

In 2025, festival leaders are proud to announce an expansion of the filmmaker talk series. Film is often a leader of change in society, and this year’s festival will include topics sweeping the world and industry, including the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. 

The 27th Annual Sarasota Film Festival is a long-awaited tradition. It’s a time that our city sparkles for locals and guests alike… and we get the chance to “roll out the red” on our fair city’s best.