Tampa Bay will be home to another movie set in the next few weeks and home to a big star who has filmed here before.

Harry Connick Jr., star of Dolphin Tale, filmed in Clearwater, will be in the area soon filming a new thriller, "I Saw A Man With Yellow Eyes."

For the full article, CLICK HERE. 

“Because of Sam” Trailer Release

PDQ is partnering with Tampa filmmaker Renee Warmack and employee Sam Piazza, who has Down syndrome, to put Sam's story on the big screen with “Because of Sam.” Renee hopes the movie will help change how the world views people with disabilities and inspire all people to tap into their potential to achieve their goals. Head to becauseofsamthemovie.com to help Renee raise money to finish this important project.

We were thrilled to be a part of the trailer release party at PDQ last month. Congratulations Sam! 

Check out more about this story at the link HERE.

This past week Film Tampa Bay joined Film Florida in Tallahassee to show support for various film programs and initiatives.  We are grateful to Senator Annette Taddeo for her resolution (SB 1808) advocating for recognition of the value film and television productions bring to Florida.  A true economic driver, film productions create the highest wage jobs in the state (avg. $81k+ per year). 
 
Film Tampa Bay currently supports two bills, HB 1401 and SB 526.  While an uphill climb in the House, we believe the program presented by these bills lays the foundation for the best way forward.  If passed these bills would form a new grant program, with a focus on putting Florida cast and crew first, with the highest ROI possible. 
 
Unfortunately, with only 5 weeks left in the session, we have not seen the movement we were hoping for.  There is little chance of seeing the bills placed on committee agendas, which is necessary to move the program through the legislative process.  However, the conversation is turning, and despite setbacks, we have made significant progress in educating legislators this year as to the benefits of supporting film, as well as the losses resulting in the lack thereof.  
 
Our office will continue to advocate on behalf of our local film community, and we hope to continue the fight by supporting a statewide program, that is both fiscally conservative, Florida centric, and provides a beneficial ROI to all taxpayers.  Don't be disheartened, now is the best time to reach out to legislators, not armed with vitriol or anger, but with arguments rooted in facts.  To that end, we recommend you visit https://filmflorida.org/legislative-issues/ to learn more about the issues and the current bills in both the House and Senate.
 
Thank you to all the legislators who took the time to meet with Film Florida and Film Tampa Bay:  Senator Harrell, Senator Hooper, Senator Bradley, Representative Yarborough, Representative Perez, Representative Aloupis, Senator Benacquisto, Senator Braynon, Representative Plakon, Representative Jones, Representative Santiago, Senator Torres, Senator Taddeo, Representative Rouson, Majority Leader Galvano, Representative Zika, Representative Hattersley, Representative Valdes, Representative Buchanan, Visit Florida CEO Dana Young.

Suncoast Credit Union’s 13th Annual Gasparilla International Film Festival

This year's Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival was one for the books! Amazing turnout, incredible films, and all-star cast of special guests made GIFF 2019 one of the most memorable festivals yet! 

High School Filmmaker Panel with an engaging discussion led by Hollywood vets William Fichtner and Cain DeVore; spectacular opening night festivities and feature film; Vanderpump Rules cast panel/roast and award ceremony; family fun day at Armature Works; and more!

Made in Florida features included We Are Mermaids, featuring the mermaids of Weeki Wachee, and Save Our Cottages, featuring the beach cottages along Indian Rocks Beach.

For more photos from the event, follow Gasparilla Film Festival on Facebook.   

Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival

It was a privilege to be a part of the Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival this year. This celebration of Jewish culture and cinema was nothing short of remarkable. With so many films that sparked conversation and left an impression, it was an unforgettable festival. 

For more information about TBJFF visit their webiste at www.tbjff.org.

Coming Soon 
Second Screen Cult Cinema 
Wed, Apr 3
"REPO MAN"
6 pm cocktails | 7 pm showtime 
Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection
12017 S Howard Ave Tampa, FL 33606

Sunscreen Film Festival
Apr 25-28 
Various Locations 

Film Bar Mondays
Mondays 6pm - 9pm
Tampa Bay Locations Vary 
Stay up to date by
joining them on Facebook 

WIFT Wednesdays 
Women in Film & TV
Stay tuned for time and location
on their Facebook page

Recent Productions 

20 productions filmed within
Hillsborough County - March 2019

Notable Commercial
Spectrum
NAPA Autoparts
Publix 

Notable Feature Film
Hallmark's True Love Blooms 

Notable TV Show
CNN - Death Row Stories