Gasparilla Film Festival

Nothing But the Truth, a political thriller written and directed by Rod Lurie (Resurrecting the Champ, The Contender) is the opening-night selection for the third annual Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF).

The fest, easily the biggest and most significant event of its kind in the Tampa Bay area, kicks off Feb. 26 at Tampa Theatre, and continues through March 7.

Lurie's film, which has opened in New York and has screened at other fests (Toronto, Santa Barbara), stars Kate Beckinsale in a sort of remix of the case of New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who was jailed rather than spilling the truth about the government source who revealed that Valerie Plame was a CIA agent. Beckinsale is the reporter, Farmiga is the CIA agent, and the cast also includes St. Petersburg's Angela Bassett, Alan Alda, Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer, Jamey Sheridan, and Noah Wyle.

The complete schedule of films, appearances, awards and special events will be announced on Monday afternoon (Feb. 9) at the Don Vicente Hotel in Ybor City.

For more information, go to the official festival site or call 813-514-9962.

The festival greatly depends on the funding it receives through memberships in the organization, which has 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization.

Here are the details:
Supporter: $50
Receive 2 tickets to any regular Festival film screenings
Receive 1 VIP ticket to Opening Night at Tampa Theatre
Receive notification of Special Screenings during the year
Receive tickets to ‘Members Only’ Parties during the year
Discounts on Gasparilla Film Festival screenings during the year
Special recognition on the Gasparilla Film Festival website

Associate: $100
Receive 4 tickets to any regular Festival film screenings
Receive 2 VIP tickets to Opening Night at Tampa Theatre
Receive notification of Special Screenings during the year
Receive tickets to ‘Members Only’ Parties during the year
Discounts on Gasparilla Film Festival screenings during the year
Special recognition in Program Guide

Ambassador: $250
Receive 1 unlimited “No Ticket Required” admission pass to all regular Festival film screenings
Receive 2 VIP tickets to Opening Night at Tampa Theatre
Receive 2 tickets to Closing Night Party
6 individual screening passes to any film during festival
Receive notification of Special Screenings during the year
Receive tickets to ‘Members Only’ Parties during the year
Discounts on Gasparilla Film Festival screenings during the year
Special recognition in Program Guide

Benefactor: $500
Receive 2 unlimited “no ticket required” admission passes to all regular Festival film screenings
Receive 4 VIP tickets to Opening Night at Tampa Theatre
Receive 4 tickets to Closing Night Party
12 individual passes to any film during festival
Receive VIP tickets to exclusive VIP Screenings during the year, in addition to notification of other special screenings
Receive tickets to ‘Members Only’ Parties during the year
Discounts on Gasparilla Film Festival screenings during the year
Special premiere recognition in Program Guide

Patron: $1,000
Receive 4 unlimited “no ticket required” admission passes to all regular Festival film screenings
Receive 8 VIP tickets to Opening Night at Tampa Theatre
Receive 8 tickets to Closing Night Party
30 passes to individual screenings during the festival
Receive VIP tickets to exclusive VIP Screenings during the year, in addition to notification of other special screenings
Receive tickets to ‘Members Only’ Parties during the year
Discounts on Gasparilla Film Festival screenings during the year
Special premiere recognition in Program Guide and at Closing Night Party

To renew/register: Pay via credit/debit (AmEx, Discover, MasterCard, Visa via PayPal) online at www.gasparillafilmfestival.com or send check to: 701 S Howard Ave STE 106-432 Tampa, FL 33606