Tampa Film Fan

updates from the sunscreen film festival

February 24, 2008 at 4:51 pm | In Events, Film Festivals, Movies, Tampa Bay Area |

The Sunscreen Film Festival will offer audience voting via text messaging this year:

Tony Armer, executive director of the Sunscreen Film Festival, has announced that audience members will be able to vote on their favorite films. “It works like American Idol,” he said. “We’ll provide audience members with a special number. They can then text message their vote for their favorite film in various categories.”

Armer said that it’s the audience that ultimately decides on the merits of any film and is pleased to be able to offer this service as a young, up-and-coming film festival. Part of the fun of film festivals, he said, is being among the first to see what’s got sizzle in new movies. This service makes it possible to get a sense of what’s hot.

Armer said that the application remembers votes so that folks can vote only once for a film. The technology will be provided by Agile Communications Group from Tampa.

Remember when I mentioned that I was dying to write about the Sunscreen Film Festival’s celebrity guest but I was sworn to secrecy? I can finally spill the beans:

The Executive Producers of the Sunscreen Film Festival are pleased to announce that this March, actor and Florida resident John Travolta will join local filmmakers and film festival supporters for a reception celebrating the launch of the Film Festival’s third season.

“People who know me know that I am a great believer in the creative process, and I am excited to be a part of something that is honoring the next generation of film makers,” Travolta said. ” I love living in Florida and want to see more films made here – this is what Sunscreen is working toward and I support what they are doing.”

The Sunscreen Film Festival shows selections of films made by Florida filmmakers. This year it received 47 submissions for the Florida category among 240 entries. The Festival will be held in St. Petersburg March 19 – 22 at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel and at the Baywalk Muvico, a short walk from the Vinoy.

Tony Armer, Executive Director of the Festival, said that the support of Mr. Travolta and others is taking the Festival to a new level. “Each year Sunscreen grows and attracts more attention,” he added. “We are extremely grateful and honored by this support from Mr. Travolta, an accomplished artist and an industry leader. He is making a tremendous contribution.”

The festival’s website is www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com.