Entries tagged ‹ Tampa Bay Brewery ›

April  5th.  2012
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GIFF 2012

posted 1 year ago



The Gasparilla Film Festival never disappoints when it comes to quality independents and panels.  I really wish I was able to see all the films but I haven’t figured out how to be at three different places at the same time. :D


One of the films I was lucky enough to see was Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best.  It was a moving, funny and inspiring story with lots of good music.  It stars our very own local bred talent Arielle Kebbel!  Ryan O’Nan  a well deserving winner of the Rising Star Award at this year’s GIFF wrote, directed and starred in this movie.  He also wrote and performed all the songs in the movie along with Michael Weston.  If you’re a fan of House, like I am,  then you’ll recognize him instantly.


Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best won the Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Narrative and Michael Weston won Digital Domain Institute Award for Special Mention Male.  The movie will be released in theatres later this year as will be the soundtrack album from the movie.  If you get the chance to catch the tour of the title band - you should take it!!  Find out more from The Hollywood Reporter.


I also got to watch them perform the songs LIVE at the Tampa Bay Brewery after the film!!  What a treat!





Another movie that I would recommend is A Bronx Tale by Chazz Palminteri.





Congratulations to everyone involved in Subprime for winning the Florida Governor’s Office Film in Florida Award for Best Florida Prod.  starring our very own Michael Santi and Chris Greene.





Congratulations to Akil Dupont  for winning the Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Short Narrative for Underground - a slave story told through song.
 

Have to give a special mention to The Last War  starring local Tampa talent Trish Chaney.


Congratulations are due to Keith David for the Life Achievement Award and to Chazz Palminteri for the Career Achievement Award. They joined the great actor’s panel this year along with past award winners Armand Assante and Obba Babatunde.


I also had the pleasure of meeting an amazing inspiration Brook Susan Parker.  To learn more about her incredible journey visit: Above the Noise.


Kudos to Elizabeth Fendrick  and Joseph Restaino along with everyone responsible for putting together this great Film Festival including all the volunteers!