April 29 - May 2, 2021, in beautiful, sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, join us for another spectacular, live film festival where attendees mix and mingle with filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, and celebrities in an open and relaxed atmosphere! Click here for Sunscreen's Covid-19 Safety Guidelines. Filmmakers and students, from now until January 31st, submit your short and feature length narrative, documentary, or animated films at FilmFreeway!
- The Sunscreen Film Festival shines on!
At its inception in 2005, the then titled "Sunscreen Film and Video Festival" was fortunate to find a home at the quaint Studio@620, a local arts gallery in St. Petersburg, Florida. The burgeoning festival screened 35 short and feature films over a two-day period, including two world premieres and played to a crowd of over 600 attendees and filmmakers, which at times resulted in a standing-room only.
In 2007 and 2008, the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club hosted Sunscreen in its picturesque downtown St. Petersburg ballroom. As Sunscreen continued to expand and gain in popularity, increasing the number of films and world premieres, in 2009, Sunscreen moved its venue to a centralized shopping district and a 20-screen movie theater. The three-year-old festival featured an impressive amount of films and celebrity appearances by actors like John Travolta, Kelly Preston (2008 and 2010), Patrick Wilson, Bill Cobbs, Jefferey Donovan, Michael Rooker, and Billy Dee Williams, to name a few.
Shortly after Sunscreen’s 2009 festival, MovieMaker magazine voted Sunscreen one of the “25 Coolest Film Fests” in the country and was voted the Best Tampa Bay Area Film Festival in 2012 by Tampa Bay Magazine.
In 2013, the Sunscreen Film Festival expanded to Los Angeles, holding two film festivals each year: the original St. Petersburg, Florida version in the spring and the newly opened Los Angeles version in the fall. Between 2013-2014, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences proudly selected Sunscreen to join its ranks as the 23rd film festivals in the nation to be sponsored and acknowledged and awarded a Festival Grant.
Today, Sunscreen boasts an annual attendance of over 10,000! and is organized and presented by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization, which is dedicated to educating the public about the art of visual storytelling, enhancing opportunities for filmmakers to develop their craft and art, and increasing the public’s awareness and support of filmmaking as a cultural asset. The annual Sunscreen Film Festival supports and enhances St. Petersburg’s economic profile by putting on an internationally recognized event to draw tourism and international media coverage to St. Petersburg, FL.
Introducing the many talented people, behind-the-scenes, who make Sunscreen possible.
FOUNDER
Creative director
Co-Programming Director
Co-Programming Director
Co-Programming Director
Education Director
Volunteer Director
Digital Strategist
Education Coordinator
Technical Director
Introducing the committed, community professionals who help support Sunscreen.
Chairperson
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
The Sunscreen Film Festival is Tampa Bay’s oldest and longest-running mainstream film festival and we couldn’t do it without the help of our amazing and dedicated volunteers!
For your hard and devoted altruism, Sunscreen volunteers receive a Day pass for one(1) of any of the four(4) festival days for working just one(1) shift - a $50.00 value. Work two(2) shifts and earn two(2) Day passes - a $100 value. But, if you work three(3) shifts, you will earn a VIP pass good for all four(4) days of the festival, an all-access VIP pass good for all screenings, parties and workshops - a $150 value. Are you in? To volunteer for the Sunscreen Film Festival, please visit Sign Up Genius or email Julie Chaloub at Volunteer@sunscreenfilmfestival.com.
The Sunscreen Film Festival is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization (The St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Society) that is funded through grants, private and public donations, corporate sponsorships, educational classes and workshops and interested parties who want to see the arts thrive.
These wonderful people who enjoy going to the cinema and theater help us produce the festival every year. In exchange for their generosity, they are able to enjoy the festival behind the scenes through a VIP pass that gives them access to the actors, producers, directors, and other industry professionals who make this event possible.
For details on sponsoring the Sunscreen Film Festival email info@sunscreenfilmfestival.com.
Click the image above to view or download our Sponsorship Deck.
Sunscreen Film Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.
Submissions for the 16th Annual Sunscreen Film Fest in St. Petersburg, Florida (April 29 - May 2, 2021):
Important Deadlines:
August 1, 2020 Opening Date
October 1, 2020 Earlybird Deadline
December 16, 2020 Regular Deadline
January 10, 2021 Late Deadline
January 31, 2021 Extended Deadline
February 22, 2021 Notification Date (Approximate)
April 29 – May 2, 2021 Event Date
Awards
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Foreign Feature Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Foreign Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Student Short Film (College)
Best Student Short Film (High School)
The 16th annual Sunscreen Film Festival's guest speakers.
Writer, Director & Producer
Writer, Producer, Director
Location Sound Mixer
Producer, Director
Writer, Director & Producer
Actress, Producer & Director
Producer, Talent Manager
Digital Strategist
Writer, Producer
Producer, Production Designer
Attorney
Producer, Financier
Producer
Publicist
Cinematographer, DP
Writer, Producer, Director
Founder, Level Talent Group
Director, Writer
Producer
Actor
Director, Producer
Producer, Writer
Producer, Actor
For a more comprehensive workshop and panel's schedule listing, please visit our partner website at: Sched.com. Powered by Sunscreen Education!
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
How to build a film campaign, a whiteboard session with media mavens, Laurie Jessup (Jessup Communications), Antony Francis (Head of Lettuce) and Paul Wilson (Wilson Media & Lonesome Pine Pictures).
60 mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Antony Francis, Laurie Jessup, and Paul Wilson. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
It's the question everyone is asking, how do I land a freelance job, and we're going to give you some advice and tips on how to find one.
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Caree Davis, Rachel Cameron, and Julia Ward. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Hear from and receive expert and sage advice on how to land a role in an audition in 2021.
90 mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Eugenie Bondurant, Kelly Paige, and Mary Rachel Quinn. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Learn, in an interactive, workshop environment, how to create a hook for your next screenplay. Be prepared for homework!
60mins
@ AMC Theater 12
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
10:00a
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Work with veteran actors, one-on-one, in a workshop style environment on how to make your scenes better.
75mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Eugenie Bondurant, Mary Rachel Quinn, and Paul Wilson. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
An interactive, workshop environment, how to create a hook for your next screenplay. Be prepared to bring your homework! (Part 2 of 2)
60 mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Learn from successful, local Producers on how to produce a micro-budget feature film and get it distributed.
75mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Forget everything you've read. In this Film Finance panel discussion, you'll hear from two very successful filmmakers, a producer and financier, and a line producer on how to truly get your screenplay made.
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Tony Armer, Mike Brown, and Santosh Govindaraju. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.4:00p
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Work with a local, female director, Victoria Jorgensen, on scene work - actors with directors.
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Introducing Ms. Victoria Jorgensen. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Learn about the legal fundamentals needed for your project. Discuss ownership rights, clearing, production/financing/distribution deals, insurance and more! The information covered in this panel is worth thousands. So, bring a notebook! (Note legal discussions will be cursory. For detailed legal advice, the moderator and/or guest speaker(s) reserve the right to either answer in detail or suggest a consultation.)
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
12:30p
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
This is your opportunity to pitch movers and shakers in the industry! There will be sign up slips, and you will be given one minute to pitch and when your slip is pulled out, then receive two minutes of feedback from our panel of big industry experts. It will be 1st come, 1st serve and once the sheet fills up, there won’t be an opportunity to pitch your big idea to the panel. Do you have what it takes to be the next big thing? We’ll find out!
90mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Guest Speakers:
Tony Armer, Joe Belcastro, Robert Enriquez, and Dave DeBorde. Moderated by Dave DeBorde
See Sched.com for more info.
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Chat with a former Hollywood Film Executive. Here's your chance to peek inside the boardroom and learn the tricks to get your project noticed.
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
Moderated by Dave DeBorde
Hear from one of our best action writers, director, and producer Joe Belcastro, and learn from his many years producing content for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
60mins
@ AMC 12 Theaters
For Filmmaker, Day or VIP pass holders
In case you did not get the opportunity to attend Sunscreen this year and grab a program guide, or you simply prefer a digital copy, click the "Download PDF" button below to view or obtain a digital copy of the program guide. And if you're feeling a little nostalgic, you can go way, way back and view or download years 1 through 14!
The Sunscreen Film Festival is held at the Sundial AMC 12 Theaters located in the beautiful Mall at Sundial nestled in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
153 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-800-3201
21.0 mi / 33.8 km from Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Accommodations, located in the heart of downtown St. Pete, within walking distance or a short ride to venue.
Within walking distance to the festival and local restuarants. Call 1-800-445-8667.
details
Mere blocks from the festival's
venue, surrounded by shops and restaurants.
A very nice and economical hotel in north central St. Pete, close to interstate.
details16
years
2100
films
360
workshops
14
countries
Movies - Workshops - Parties: With a DAY or VIP pass gain access to film screenings, workshops and parties and the Awards Ceremony!
$10
$50
$150
The programming is outstanding... championing courageous, distinctive, transcendent films...Sunscreen went out of their way to be supportive, run by an impressive, helpful and affable staff.
Jay Alvarez
The festival is amazing, great movies in a beautiful city. Can't wait to go back! Our short film "Him" screened there and we had a wonderful time sharing with the audience. The selection this year was outstanding and very supportive of LGBTQ rights.
Daniel Montoya
The workshops were wonderful and one of the highlights. The location was perfect. Since all the screenings were at one location, it made it easy to see the other films and interact with the other filmmakers. A lot of thought goes into the festival and that they truly value independent films and filmmakers.
Katie McEntire Wiatt
What a great festival! I highly recommend film makers submit and attend this festival. They are very supportive of all film makers, provide opportunities for networking, and moderate great workshops.
Heidi Yewman
The 16th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival would like to thank Visit St. Pete Clearwater and the Film Commission office.
