Editor

Tune into to SNN6 this Friday February 22nd at 7pm for a special Broadcast "10 Years of the Sarasota Film Festival" airing again at 11:30pm.

A fantastic look-back over what began as a 3 day festival, with 8 films and 3 events, which has grown into one of the leading film festivals in North America. The Sarasota Film Festival now boasts a 10 day program, with over 160 films, countless events and an attendance of over 50,000 people in 2007.

The retrospective includes highlights and stars from the last ten years including: Robert Altman, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Norman Jewison, Marcia Gay Harden, Joe Pantoliano, Billy Crystal, Sydney Pollack, Gena Rowlands, Richard Dreyfuss, Chevy Chase, Woody Harrelson, Kevin Bacon, Paula Wagner, Gene Simmons, Jon Voight, Alan Alda, Patrick Stewart, Michael Stipe, Tom Selleck and Brook Shields.

Next up is the annual SFF presentation of the 2008 Academy Awards in Pineapple Square Feb. 24

Think you know who is walking away with an Oscar? Test your skills, impress your friends, and take home swag with our Oscar ballot game.

Hollywood’s most exciting night is coming to downtown Sarasota! The Sarasota Film Festival and ABC7 bring you the 80th Annual Academy Awards live on our two-story movie screen.

The hottest street party is located at Lemon Avenue and Main Street and begins with the pre-show at 7 PM. Admission is free and open to the public. Arrive early for tables and seating at Mattison's City Grille (941-330-0440) and Bacco's Ristorante Italiano (941-365-7380), where food and drinks will be available for purchase.

For more information visit www.sarasotafilmfestival.com

Topping off the week of Festival highlights is the annual press & sponsor kick-off gala at the Long Boat Key Club and Resort Harborside, Wednesday February 27th.

Festival organizers will be announcing some of the major films and players of this year’s highly anticipated Festival at the beautiful Longboat Key Club and Resort - the private country club and AAA Four-Diamond beachfront resort. The resort’s on-site amenities include: newly renovated luxurious suites, 45 holes of championship golf, golf instruction, 38 Har-Tru tennis courts, a fully equipped Fitness Centre, Island House Spa, four unique restaurants, deep-water marina, and a private white sand beach.

The mission of the Sarasota Film Festival is to present unique and quality cinema in a festival atmosphere for the purpose of educating, stimulating and entertaining audiences. The Festival supports and encourages the filmmaker by supplying essential networking opportunities and open dialogue with intelligent, creative and inquisitive consumers of film. The Festival attracts audiences from local, national, and international markets as well as promotes Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding Gulf Coast communities as cultural centers which contribute to the financial and cultural success of our region.