Sarasota Film Festival announces opening and closing night films

Grab the popcorn, get your tickets and find a seat Sarasota cinephiles because the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival, running April 10 through 19, has just announced its opening and closing night movies. 

With the festival scheduled to announce its complete film schedule and event lineup this coming Wednesday, March 25, the film festival let loose a little sample of what festival patrons can expect. And if the two films announced are any indication, then the films being presented at this year's festival should be fun passion projects loaded with talent in front of and behind the camera.

“I’m thrilled to be able to showcase these two significant films for my first year at the festival,” said Michael Dunaway, director of programming in a prepared statement. “They place the Sarasota Film Festival in a competitive spotlight and tastefully frame our diverse lineup.”

Opening the festival on Friday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House is Oren Moverman's "Time Out of Mind." Starring Richard Gere, Jena Malone and Ben Vereen, Moverman's moving drama follows a man (Richard Gere) as he descends into homelessness and poverty in New York City as he tries to reconnect with an estranged daughter (Jena Malone). Moverman has tackled other social issues with his two previous directorial efforts (coming home from war in "The Messanger" and police corruption in "Rampart") and will be receiving the Hearts and Minds of Independent Film Award from the festival.

Closing the festival at the opera house on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. is director Brett Haley's romantic dramedy "I'll See You in My Dreams." The film explores the relationships forged during the august year's of one's life as a widow in her 70s Carol Petersen (played by Blythe Danner) starts dating again and meeting new people.

The film's cast includes Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, June Squibb, Malin Akerman, Rhea Perlman and Mary Kay Place. This is Haley's second feature-length film and has directed seven short films prior to this. Both Haley and Danner will appear at the festival with the acclaimed actress receiving the festival's Impact Award. 

"We're excited to have these two films to open and close our 17th  installment,” said Mark Famiglio, president of the Sarasota Film Festival in a prepared statement. "Opening with a very dramatic performance by Richard Gere and closing with the elegant and clever Blythe Danner, the festival will have both touching and inspiring moments for all."