How about dinner and a movie? The Education Channel (Bright House Ch. 614; Verizon FIOS Ch. 32) offers both for the modest price of $15 per person at its 16th annual Independents' Film Festival. You get food, drink, coffee, dessert and schmooze time with some of Tampa Bay's most ambitious filmmakers, and screenings of their latest works.
All events are held at the Education Channel's headquarters, 703 N. Willow Ave. in Tampa. Seating is limited, with tickets available only online at the festival's Web site.
Here's the schedule of events, as described by the festival:
November 5th – Gangsters and Groove: documentaries with a Florida focus. Back by popular demand, the award winning Ghosts of Ybor: Charlie Wall explores one of Ybor City’s most famous crime residents and Florida’s first crime boss. Screens with The Tempo of Tampa Bay, exploring Tampa’s rich tradition of jazz and blues.
November 6th – Emerging Directors: sponsored by the University of Tampa. Amazing short films and animations created by college and graduate students. Filmmakers on hand.
November 7th – Junior Showcase: films by students in grades K-12, most from high school students, including Blake High senior Garrett Brown, already a local filmmaking legend. Followed by a Young Producers Panel discussion with current college students. Find out how to make it in film in higher ed.
November 11th – Going to Xtremes: Award winning documentary FRAG, true story of professional video gaming and the young cyber-athletes who dream of stardom in gaming tournaments.
November 12th – Art of Film: An evening of beautiful, inspiring films revealing the artistic vision of the filmmaker, and celebrating IFF special guests Dorothy Fadiman and Todd Thompson, plus a selection of films from the festival.
November 13th – Florida Short Film Showcase: Wonderful films by some of Florida’s best filmmakers. Come early and stay late to meet the creative forces in the local film scene.
November 14th – Educational Seminars at 10 AM & 12 PM: Producing with Passion: Making Films That Change the World presented by Dorothy Fadiman, and Telling Stories with Heart presented by Todd Thompson.
November 14th – Best of the Fest: A selection of award winning films, followed by an awards ceremony and wrap party for all attending.
Steve Persall is the movie critic for the St. Petersburg Times. He was conceived behind a drive-in movie theater his father operated and raised in projection booths and concession stands. He doesn't care how you did it up north.
Hey Cat,
Thanks for reading and liking. The Chappelle thing is on dvd and cool.
Angel, huh? Nice work, aromatropic one.
Posted by: Steve Persall | October 29, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Hi Steve,
I liked your ``CONCERT MOVIE`` page in the WEEKEND section in today's paper. I've seen & enjoyed all of those except #10.
& I also liked the the ``What's your blood (sucker) type?`` story. You won't believe this?? My boyfriend looks just like ----> David~ANGEL from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. People think it's him all. the. time.
My scent is like a drug to him!
Posted by: Cat | October 29, 2009 at 08:49 AM