TWE Partners with SFF

The Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UNIFEM and the Sarasota Film Festival are partnering for the first time to run their events concurrently from April 9 through 18. UNIFEM GCC’s Through Women’s Eyes will screen their films during the first weekend of the Sarasota Film Festival at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20 in Sarasota.

“The partnership builds on the synergy between our two organizations,” said Dr. Connie Ellis, President of the Gulf Coast Chapter, which has presented Through Women’s Eyes (TWE) since 2000. “We share the common goal of bringing the world to Sarasota through film. By working in partnership, our two nonprofit groups can better allocate resources to best serve the community.”

“Together, we have 21 years of experience presenting domestic and international films that entertain, inform, challenge and inspire,” said Mark Famiglio, President and Executive Director of the Sarasota Film Festival (SFF). “Through this partnership, we hope to broaden and enrich the film festival experience for filmgoers and filmmakers.”

The programming and community outreach focus of the organizations remains unchanged. Through Women’s Eyes will again feature independent documentaries and short films by women directors that increase awareness of the lives of women around the world. Invited directors will lead post-film discussions on April 10 and 11, and talk informally with filmgoers at a Filmmakers’ Reception on April 10. Encore screenings of the TWE films will be integrated into the Sarasota Film Festival schedule throughout the 10-day event. This year SFF will screen over 160 films plus education programs, special events, talkbacks and panels with some of the leading voices in film today.

The two groups share a similar history of growth and a commitment to year-round, collaborative work in the community. Both presented film festivals that began modestly and grew over the years, culminating in record-breaking 2009 seasons. TWE drew sold-out audiences to its two-day screening of 16 films by women directors, while SFF attracted 45,000 attendees over the 10 days.

Since 1993, the all-volunteer Gulf Coast Chapter has presented programs and events to raise awareness and funds for UNIFEM, the women’s fund at the United Nations, which supports women's empowerment and gender equality programs in more than 100 developing nations throughout the world. Over the years, SFF has expanded to include year-round programs targeting independent and student filmmakers, at-risk and underserved youth, arts organizations and social service agencies.

The 2010 Sarasota Film Festival schedule and ticket purchasing information for SFF and the TWE films will be posted in March on the SFF website at www.sarasotafilmfestival.com.

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