Running from April 5 through April 14, the Sarasota Film Festival promises nearly 10 days of nonstop film programming, where audiences can find everything from thrillers and character dramas to socially conscious documentaries and sports flicks. After the opening night film, Bull Street, a legal drama starring Amy Madigan (Uncle Buck, Gone Baby Gone), the festival splinters into various threads, depending on the viewer’s interest.

For documentary fans, the Documentary Feature Competition includes Sundance award-winner Sugarcane, exploring the investigation into unmarked graves at an Indian residential school in Canada, as well as Into The Spotlight: The Jake Ilardi Story, about the Olympic journey of the Osprey native, and Porcelain War, an unflinching look at three Ukrainian artists living through the Russian invasion. And while the Independent Visions Competition provides a platform to American independent films like Art Thief and the twisted comedy Puddysticks, the Narrative Feature Competition brings in foreign films ranging from Sudan to Canada.

As before, the Sarasota Film Festival this year also makes room for socially conscious films using the art of cinema to spread a message of change or hope. A dedicated slate of films focusing on the environment includes films from India and Madagascar, bringing viewers around the world to celebrate everything from endangered lemurs to reclusive Himalayan moths. Similar programs are dedicated to highlighting films and filmmakers dedicated to the African-American experience, women filmmakers, Jewish icons, and LGBTQ+ films.  

Festival films will be presented both at Regal Hollywood Cinemas and Cinebistro, among other venues. And as with previous years, film screenings will be supplemented with not only artist Q&As but also community discussions and talkbacks, giving audience members and local experts the opportunity to weigh in on the films and topics presented in the festival, including a panel discussion at Ringling College dedicated to examining the pros and pitfalls of artificial intelligence.

For a complete rundown of this year’s Sarasota Film Festival programming, and to purchase tickets to screenings and events, visit sarasotafilmfestival.com.