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4th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg

Written by Heidi Lux and Ana Livingston

Thursday, 07 May 2009

Patrick Wilson being interviewed at the Sunscreen Film Festival Opening - Photo by Brad Kugler St. Petersburg, FL

The red carpet was rolled out for the 4th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival which had its kickoff on April 29th, at Baywalk Muvico in St. Petersburg.

Seen at the event was famed actor Patrick Wilson, looking suave in a blue blazer. He was there for the southeast premiere of his film “Passengers”, co-starring Anne Hathaway. The Watchmen star has local ties in the form of his brother, Paul, on the board for the festival, and his father, John, a local TV news anchor.

Chris and Victoria Kelly, a couple from Illinois were excited to be on the red carpet. Their film Hampshire was premiering at the festival as well. “I didn’t expect half of this,” said Chris. His wife added, “We couldn’t have picked a better location. The people are so nice.”

Sunscreen Board Members Lisa Mansell (left) and Joanie Sigal (right) with Hollywood actor Patrick Wilson - Photo by Brad Kugler Latanya Potts, a bicoastal talent agent with offices in both LA and Atlanta, was out scouting for talent. She is currently casting a movie, “Get Lifted” which shoots in Miami this summer and was on the lookout for Tampa Bay’s next rising star!

Paul Wilson was the charming MC for the standing-room-only awards ceremony at the NOVA 535 Modern Art Lounge on Saturday night. And speaking of rising stars, the awards presented that evening were bestowed to some immensely-talented directors this year. Alan Mehanna (promising not to cry) was touched and honored when awarded the new Travolta Family Inspiration Award for his film “One Last Stand”. “Validation”, a crowd favorite, was presented the Best Narrative Short Film and Todd Thompson, director of the wonderful “This Man’s Life”, picked up the award for Best Florida Film.

Following is a complete listing of the winners at the 4th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival:

The Travolta Family Inspiration Award was presented to Alan Mehanna (ONE LAST STAN (from left) Declan Flynn, Gina Kugler, Brad Kugler, Jeff Donovan (of the TV Series “Burn Notice”), Bill Cobbs (“Night at the Museum”), festival director Tony Armer, Harry Chittenden, Lisa Mansell, Paul Wilson and Corey Janey - Photo by Brad Kugler D)

Best Animated Short: LARRY AND ROZ - Directed by Kristen Palana
Best Music Video: SNOW by the Beauvilles - Directed by Jon Wolding
Best Documentary: SLEDHEAD - Directed by David McIlvride
Best Florida Film: THIS MAN’S LIFE - Directed by Todd Thompson
Best Narrative Short Film: VALIDATION - Directed by Kurt Kuenne
Best Director: Tao Ruspoli - FIX
Best Narrative Feature Film: YESTERDAY WAS A LIE - Directed by James Kerwin

Audience Award: I AM THE BLUEBIRD - Directed by Thomas Verrette

Catherine Cummins, Best Florida Film Winner Todd Thompson, Mariah June and Sunscreen co-founder Tony Armer - Photo by Brad Kugler Everyone was buzzing about how hot Sunscreen had gotten. “This year they seemed to have upped their game,” said Alan Mehanna, a winning filmmaker. Patrick Wilson himself stated it best by saying about the Sunscreen co-founders Tony Armer and Derek Miner: “It’s a lot of work and they must really love it to be able to put that much effort into it. I think they’re doing a great job, and it will only get bigger.”