The Sarasota Film Festival has announced the lineup for the festival’s 28th annual edition, taking place April 10-19.
Consisting of 47 features and 39 short films, the festival will kick off on April 10 with a screening of “Deep Water” at the Sainer Courtyard at New College in Sarasota, Fla. The event will host director Renny Harlin and producer Gene Simmons, followed by an opening night party at the Bayfront at New College. The festival will close on April 18 with Julian Schnabel’s “In The Hand of Dante,” which features Oscar Isaac, Gal Gadot, Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese. In conjunction with the screening, Schnabel will be honored with the Achievement in Directing Award.
This year’s Spotlight presentations include “Carolina Caroline,” which stars Samara Weaving; Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex”; “Late Fame” starring Willem Dafoe; John Early’s “Maddie’s Secret”; Trishul Thejasvi’s “Mala”; Ari Selinger’s “On the End”; “Everywhere Man: the Lives and Times of Peter Asher”; “Steal This Story, Please!” and Rory Kennedy’s “The Trial of Alec Baldwin.”
Special events and screenings include: “The SFF Sports Program,”featuring the Business of Sports Panel with experts in the industry; “Ski Dawgs,” an offbeat short comedy; and “Victory,” starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and Pelé.
“Each year, the Sarasota Film Festival celebrates the transformative power of storytelling and the strength of our creative community,” said Mark Famiglio, president of the Sarasota Film Festival. “Our 2026 festival brings together visionary artists, timely conversations, and meaningful community events that reflect the cultural energy of Sarasota. We’re proud to continue showcasing a festival that honors bold filmmaking while creating unforgettable experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike.”
For more information about screenings, visit sarasotafilmfestival.com.
