LBKCA plots new film series

Most residents know the Longboat Key Center for the Arts for its stunning art openings and exhibitions, but now film lovers can enjoy the center too.

The 2016 film series will begin with a showing of Anne Marie Russell’s “Worst Possible Illusion: The Curiosity Cabinet of Vik Muniz” Jan. 20.

The film follows internationally known artist Victor Muniz from Brooklyn, N.Y. to his native Brazil and to Chicago and Arizona.

Russell, the newly appointed executive director of the Sarasota Museum of Art, will speak about her film at the showing.

“When I was pulling this all together, I was talking with Russell about the film series, and she said, ‘Let’s show my film,’” LBKCA Director Jane Buckman said. “It’s a delightful film about his process and what he does.”

The film series will continue with a four-part short film series Feb. 17 and 24 and March 16 and 23. Each night will consist of a screening and a discussion with a faculty member of the Ringling College of Art and Design’s film and advertising departments. A student will also show his or her own short film that is in production.

“One of the themes this year for students at Ringling are short films,” Buckman said. “When you are starting out as a filmmaker, you’re primarily making short films. It’s in its own genre and has its own following.”

One of the nights will focus on commercials and their shift toward being more innovative.

“If you follow commercials, you know how contemporary they are all becoming in terms of marking and how much a filmmaker’s eye is being applied to these,” Buckman said.

Each evening of the film series will be $15 and will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

“It will be a little something different,” Buckman said. “It will be informative and entertaining, and I’m really looking forward to it. I think anybody who appreciates film will enjoy coming to all of these events.”