"If Only" at 2004 Sarasota Film Festival - JLH to attend, perform

12-16-2003, 03:12 PM

from: link

Harrelson, Hewitt on film fest guest list

By CHARLIE HUISKING

charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com

SARASOTA -- Two actors who started their careers on television, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Love Hewitt, will provide some of the star power at the 2004 Sarasota Film Festival.

Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher, Genevieve Bujold, Broadway and film actress Betty Buckley, and Elizabeth Moss, a cast member of "The West Wing," also are expected to attend the festival, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 1.

Organizers announced the partial guest list and the film lineup at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota on Monday. The names of additional festival celebrities, including the actor or actress who will receive the festival's career-achievement award on closing night, will be announced later.

"People know that we still have some holes to fill, but they're not upset about that," said Executive Director Jody Kielbasa. "They trust us to deliver a good product. They're interested in the celebrities, sure, but they're also excited to hear about the films."

In its sixth year, the festival will screen more than 100 feature films and shorts, ranging from mainstream Hollywood fare to edgier independent works, documentaries and foreign films.

Most will be shown at the Hollywood 20 on Main Street. But the opening-night film, "If Only," will have its world premiere at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

It stars Hewitt, who is perhaps best-known for her "Party of Five" television series, as well as the horror film "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and its sequel.

In "If Only," Hewitt's character dies in an auto accident after a fight with her boyfriend (British actor Paul Nicholls). But he gets a chance to live the day over again, in hopes of changing its outcome.

Also a recording artist, Hewitt sings in the film, and she will perform at the party that follows the screening.

"Cheers" star Harrelson will introduce the documentary "Go Further." Directed by Ron Mann, it follows Harrelson and his activist friends on a bus ride to promote environmental causes and "organic-lifestyle choices."

Fletcher, who earned an Oscar for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," stars with Bujold in "Finding Home." The drama is about a young woman who re-evaluates her life after inheriting an inn on a remote island.

Buckley is in the cast of "Mummy and the Armadillo," which also will have its world premiere at the festival.

Moss, who plays President Bartlett's daughter on "The West Wing," stars in "Virgin," one of several films to be shown during the festival's Women's Voices program.

The festival again is collaborating with the Florida West Coast Symphony. Guest conductor Emile de Cou will lead the orchestra in a Cine-Symphony concert of Oscar-winning music.

The festival's Luncheon Under the Banyans salute to a female star will be held again. But the actress who'll be honored at the Selby Gardens event hasn't been selected.

The festival's Tropicana KidsFest expands from four to nine days, and will include screenings of short films, discussions, interactive programs and showings of the new full-length feature, "A Separate Peace."

The festival will present a wide range of panel discussions and seminars. One will feature Joe Bob Briggs, a syndicated columnist and TV host who champions drive-in fare and other B-movies. Briggs will introduce the 1963 horror film "Blood Feast," a camp classic.

[ December 16, 2003, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: TC Visitor ]

12-16-2003, 03:30 PM

Cool! Thnx for the news. I can't wait! We actually get to get some reviews and there is a bigger chance of it getting released.I am so happy that this film is going to follow through unlike TDADW which i also wanted to see. Thnx again! [img]smile.gif[/img]

**Trotter** · 12-16-2003, 03:49 PM

[img]smile.gif[/img]
Thank-you for the news..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hopefully If Only will be a HUGE hit for Love....... :D

LOVE YOUNG GIFTED & GORGEOUS

12-16-2003, 03:57 PM

Sarasota...isn't that in FLORIDA?

A U.S. premiere for Love should be in HOLLYWOOD,
CALIFORNIA!! WHY ISN'T IT?? :confused:

12-16-2003, 04:20 PM

ronald: they're having the world premiere outside of Hollywood because the company that financed If Only had a great deal with a major studio that would have given the movie a big U.S. release this past fall, and a big Hollywood premiere ... but the company completely screwed up the deal (I have posted this before, but I can't say more than that about the specifics, as I promised my source I wouldn't). Anyway, the company has been scrambling to make up for its huge mistake ever since ... that's why they're selling foreign rights first. This world premiere in Florida in January is a positive step. It's not the biggest film festival in the country, but If Only gets to be the opening night film (a lot of prestige to that), plus JLH gets to sing live at the party. This movie will get much more attention being the "star" of a festival like this, rather than just one of many films at Cannes, etc. If all goes well, I'm sure it will have its Hollywood premiere at some point next year. :D

12-16-2003, 04:31 PM

Cause SHE knew YOU'RE in HOLLYWOOD ronald. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

A big film festival openning could be so much better for the movie the a normal premier in hollywood.

12-16-2003, 04:51 PM

TC Visitor: Thanks for finding and posting that great info and happy news!!

12-16-2003, 05:22 PM

ThanX for the gr8t news TC [img]smile.gif[/img]

12-16-2003, 05:28 PM

Wow! Thats some great news! Tho ive never heard of the festival...Thankz TC :D

**andrew r** · 12-16-2003, 05:33 PM

Hooray! [img]graemlins/bday.gif[/img] That's great news. Finally the movie gets a premiere. I really do hope that it does very well at the festival. As I really do hope that this film does show that Love can do drama.

12-16-2003, 06:47 PM

Thanks so much for this really

great news TC [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

12-16-2003, 09:22 PM

cool thanks for the info hopefully someone from the board can go and tell us what went down heeh [img]smile.gif[/img]

12-17-2003, 12:08 AM

OMG! That's amazing news! Is that open to the public?

12-17-2003, 01:43 AM

Yeah, hopefully a deal gets worked out sometime early next year. Looking forward to the film.

Quote:

Originally posted by jennyfan:
OMG! That's amazing news! Is that open to the public?

Looks like the public can buy tickets. - SFF website
Opening night film - $15/person
Opening night film and party - $100/person

12-17-2003, 02:29 AM

lets hope so thanks man<small>

12-18-2003, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ronald33:
Sarasota...isn't that in FLORIDA?

A U.S. premiere for Love should be in HOLLYWOOD,
CALIFORNIA!! WHY ISN'T IT?? :confused:

Because it's too good for Hollywood. :D I make rhyme. :D

12-18-2003, 06:13 PM

Jordan: Looks like you are from Orlando.
SO . . .
To Jordan and any other Love fan within a few hour's driving distance (or a very short, cheap plane ride) from this event:
You HAVE to go to this premiere and party!!
For a hundred bucks you can see the world premiere of this film, enjoy a Q & A with JLH afterwards, hang out at a party where she's singing live ...
Then you must report ALL to the board! :D

12-18-2003, 08:10 PM

You're not kidding BooBoo. If that was around here I'd be so there. It's a good deal if you have the money. Even if you can't afford the $100, the movie is a great price, if anyone is aorund there they should try to go. I'm sure they'd have a lot of fun.

12-20-2003, 10:50 AM

Well, I am intending to go, as long as everything goes really well. I've been waiting forever for this film and I don't really care to wait any longer. haha. So I'm probably going to fly down there, will pay the extra cash for the party and will report back with any and everything I see/hear.

12-20-2003, 06:12 PM

Hey cool chris h. Keep us posted.

12-16-2003, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
TC Visitor Posts: n/a	from: link Harrelson, Hewitt on film fest guest list By CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Two actors who started their careers on television, Woody Harrelson and Jennifer Love Hewitt, will provide some of the star power at the 2004 Sarasota Film Festival. Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher, Genevieve Bujold, Broadway and film actress Betty Buckley, and Elizabeth Moss, a cast member of "The West Wing," also are expected to attend the festival, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 1. Organizers announced the partial guest list and the film lineup at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota on Monday. The names of additional festival celebrities, including the actor or actress who will receive the festival's career-achievement award on closing night, will be announced later. "People know that we still have some holes to fill, but they're not upset about that," said Executive Director Jody Kielbasa. "They trust us to deliver a good product. They're interested in the celebrities, sure, but they're also excited to hear about the films." In its sixth year, the festival will screen more than 100 feature films and shorts, ranging from mainstream Hollywood fare to edgier independent works, documentaries and foreign films. Most will be shown at the Hollywood 20 on Main Street. But the opening-night film, "If Only," will have its world premiere at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. It stars Hewitt, who is perhaps best-known for her "Party of Five" television series, as well as the horror film "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and its sequel. In "If Only," Hewitt's character dies in an auto accident after a fight with her boyfriend (British actor Paul Nicholls). But he gets a chance to live the day over again, in hopes of changing its outcome. Also a recording artist, Hewitt sings in the film, and she will perform at the party that follows the screening. "Cheers" star Harrelson will introduce the documentary "Go Further." Directed by Ron Mann, it follows Harrelson and his activist friends on a bus ride to promote environmental causes and "organic-lifestyle choices." Fletcher, who earned an Oscar for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," stars with Bujold in "Finding Home." The drama is about a young woman who re-evaluates her life after inheriting an inn on a remote island. Buckley is in the cast of "Mummy and the Armadillo," which also will have its world premiere at the festival. Moss, who plays President Bartlett's daughter on "The West Wing," stars in "Virgin," one of several films to be shown during the festival's Women's Voices program. The festival again is collaborating with the Florida West Coast Symphony. Guest conductor Emile de Cou will lead the orchestra in a Cine-Symphony concert of Oscar-winning music. The festival's Luncheon Under the Banyans salute to a female star will be held again. But the actress who'll be honored at the Selby Gardens event hasn't been selected. The festival's Tropicana KidsFest expands from four to nine days, and will include screenings of short films, discussions, interactive programs and showings of the new full-length feature, "A Separate Peace." The festival will present a wide range of panel discussions and seminars. One will feature Joe Bob Briggs, a syndicated columnist and TV host who champions drive-in fare and other B-movies. Briggs will introduce the 1963 horror film "Blood Feast," a camp classic. [ December 16, 2003, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: TC Visitor ]

12-16-2003, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
driz2k Posts: n/a	Cool! Thnx for the news. I can't wait! We actually get to get some reviews and there is a bigger chance of it getting released.I am so happy that this film is going to follow through unlike TDADW which i also wanted to see. Thnx again! [img]smile.gif[/img]

12-16-2003, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Trotter JLH Nut Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydenham,London Posts: 27,990 My Profile	[img]smile.gif[/img] Thank-you for the news..... [img]smile.gif[/img] Hopefully If Only will be a HUGE hit for Love....... :D LOVE YOUNG GIFTED & GORGEOUS

12-16-2003, 03:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
ronald33 Posts: n/a	Sarasota...isn't that in FLORIDA? A U.S. premiere for Love should be in HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA!! WHY ISN'T IT?? :confused:

12-16-2003, 04:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
BooBoo Posts: n/a	ronald: they're having the world premiere outside of Hollywood because the company that financed If Only had a great deal with a major studio that would have given the movie a big U.S. release this past fall, and a big Hollywood premiere ... but the company completely screwed up the deal (I have posted this before, but I can't say more than that about the specifics, as I promised my source I wouldn't). Anyway, the company has been scrambling to make up for its huge mistake ever since ... that's why they're selling foreign rights first. This world premiere in Florida in January is a positive step. It's not the biggest film festival in the country, but If Only gets to be the opening night film (a lot of prestige to that), plus JLH gets to sing live at the party. This movie will get much more attention being the "star" of a festival like this, rather than just one of many films at Cannes, etc. If all goes well, I'm sure it will have its Hollywood premiere at some point next year. :D

12-16-2003, 04:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dr. Doogie MD Posts: n/a	Cause SHE knew YOU'RE in HOLLYWOOD ronald. [img]tongue.gif[/img] A big film festival openning could be so much better for the movie the a normal premier in hollywood.

12-16-2003, 04:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
BooBoo Posts: n/a	TC Visitor: Thanks for finding and posting that great info and happy news!!

12-16-2003, 05:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
BiBilove Posts: n/a	ThanX for the gr8t news TC [img]smile.gif[/img]

12-16-2003, 05:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
TrueLuver_13 Posts: n/a	Wow! Thats some great news! Tho ive never heard of the festival...Thankz TC :D

12-16-2003, 05:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
andrew r Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: England Posts: 30,794 My Profile	Hooray! [img]graemlins/bday.gif[/img] That's great news. Finally the movie gets a premiere. I really do hope that it does very well at the festival. As I really do hope that this film does show that Love can do drama.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

12-16-2003, 06:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
Only4JLH Posts: n/a	Thanks so much for this really great news TC [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

12-16-2003, 09:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
J-Mac Posts: n/a	cool thanks for the info hopefully someone from the board can go and tell us what went down heeh [img]smile.gif[/img]

12-17-2003, 12:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
jennyfan Posts: n/a	OMG! That's amazing news! Is that open to the public?

12-17-2003, 02:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sam Posts: n/a	lets hope so thanks man<small>

12-18-2003, 06:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
BooBoo Posts: n/a	Jordan: Looks like you are from Orlando. SO . . . To Jordan and any other Love fan within a few hour's driving distance (or a very short, cheap plane ride) from this event: You HAVE to go to this premiere and party!! For a hundred bucks you can see the world premiere of this film, enjoy a Q & A with JLH afterwards, hang out at a party where she's singing live ... Then you must report ALL to the board! :D

12-18-2003, 08:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
TC Visitor Posts: n/a	You're not kidding BooBoo. If that was around here I'd be so there. It's a good deal if you have the money. Even if you can't afford the $100, the movie is a great price, if anyone is aorund there they should try to go. I'm sure they'd have a lot of fun.

12-20-2003, 10:50 AM	#19 (permalink)
chris h Posts: n/a	Well, I am intending to go, as long as everything goes really well. I've been waiting forever for this film and I don't really care to wait any longer. haha. So I'm probably going to fly down there, will pay the extra cash for the party and will report back with any and everything I see/hear.

12-20-2003, 06:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
TC Visitor Posts: n/a	Hey cool chris h. Keep us posted.