Daily Loaf

It’s true that the real festival season around these parts is in the spring, with the Gasparilla Film Festival and Sarasota’s huge festie leading the pack. Still, film-fest patronage has become a year-round affair in the Bay area, and there are some worthwhile options for the movie freaks this fall. First up, The Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival …

Details after the jump …

Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF)

This is a big year for TIGLFF, as 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of a film festival that has been celebrating diversity since long before it became fashionable. Though the films at this year’s TIGLFF have yet to be announced, already on the schedule are the “Program Guide Launch and Ticket Pick-Up Party” on Sept. 18 at Tampa’s Mise en Place restaurant ($40), a 20th anniversary gala on Oct. 9 ($50), and two themed parties on Oct. 17: Sugar for the ladies at The Honey Pot and Surge: House of House for the dudes at Czar in Ybor (both are $15). The film fest will run from Oct. 8-18, so block out that time now. If you’re a movie buff, you can’t afford to miss this event.

Sunscreen Film Festival

The Sunscreen Film Festival prides itself on offering a mix of screenings and educational workshops for budding film-makers. Though the festival was held in April and May of this year, the learnin’ is a year-round affair. Upcoming events include 2009 Fundamentals of Filmaking, a four-month course “to teach filmmakers how to take off-the-shelf equipment and make a movie out of original stories.” The instruction will include primers on setting up production schedules, planning shots, directing actors, working with sound/lighting, editing, adding credits and more. Also on tap is an actors workshop with acting coach Marc Durso and casting director Lana Veenker (pictured), who recently has been casting the Twilight series. Both should be can’t-miss programs for up-and-coming Bay area auteurs.

2009 Fundamentals of Filmaking, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5, $250 for members, $299 for non-members. Actors’ Workshop with the Casting Director of Twilight, Oct. 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $125.

Independents’ Film Festival (IFF)

A production of Tampa’s The Education Channel, the IFF has been going strong since 1993. As the name implies, the IFF is primarily concerned with highlighting independent film makers and trying to bring an audience to their films. It’s also the most user-friendly film-fest in the Bay area, with all official IFF film selections airing on the Education Channel and on a web simulcast. There’s also the Junior Independents’ Film Festival, which features the work of of kids in grades K-12 in a theatrical setting. (Very cool for the young ‘uns.) IFF’s theatrical screenings begin in November, with details of films sure to be announced soon. Stay tuned …

Also of note: The Eckerd College International Film Series should be starting up for the fall semester, but as of right now there are no details available.

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