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:  

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

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.”