Gasparilla International Film Fest brings past Oscar nominees to downtown Tampa

The Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF), presented by Film Tampa Bay,is back March 21-24. This year’s festival includes 20 Feature Films, 75 Short Films, 5 Educational Panels, 4 Parties, a High School Film Competition, and over 50 filmmakers attending from around the world. John Travolta, Tim Blake Nelson, Quavo and more major stars and esteemed actors will be showing films, and taking part in the cinephile festivities.

GIFF will kick-off the festival with the film Cash Out, making its World Premiere as the Opening Night Film on March 21 at the Tampa Theater (711 N Franklin Street).  Cash Out is described as a fun, smart and witty cat-and-mouse heist film in the spirit of the classic Steve McQueen-Faye Dunaway thriller “The Thomas Crowne Affair.” Mason Goddard (John Travolta) is a suave, debonair world class master-thief at the top of his game. Believing he has pulled off the perfect multi-million-dollar heist and can finally retire, he must first match wits with a sexy FBI investigator. 

John Travolta will be a part of Gasparilla International Film Festival

Two-time Academy Award Nominee John Travolta, Grammy Award Nominee Quavo, actor Lukas Haas, actor Natali Yura, and actor Noel Gugliemi are confirmed to be in attendance for the World Premiere event along with the film’s producers.  Other notable cast members include Kristin Davis, Matt Gerald, and Luis Da Silva Jr. The film was produced and financed by Convergence Entertainment Group.

“We are grateful for the support of Film Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County throughout the years.  We would not have been able to be recognized as one of the best film festivals in the country without their partnership,” said Tim Zehnder, President of the Board of GIFF. 

The fastest growing festival in America

GIFF’s Closing Night Film, also held at the Tampa Theater on March 24^th, is THE INVISIBLES, making its Florida Premiere.  The film tells the story of a couple facing the end of marriage, when the husband starts to disappear. As he fades from existence, he discovers a new world of people who have disappeared just like him. Director Andrew Currie, actor Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, I Robot) and actor Tim Blake Nelson (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, O Brother, Where Art Thou?) will be in attendance.  Other notable cast includes Grechen Mol, Rachel Wilson, Tennille Read, & Juno Rinaldi. 

GIFF is a big part of Tampa’s arts scene, sharing films that inspire, teach, and entertain. It’s consistently recognized as one of the top 50 festivals in the U.S., and is one of the fastest growing film festivals in the country. GIFF doesn’t just happen once a year. It’s active all year round, reaching out to our community and raising awareness about important issues. By doing this, it helps our local film industry and brings money into our area. GIFF is where filmmakers, actors, and fans come together, making our city richer with great movies and learning opportunities.

Festival Passes, schedule, program guide, and individual tickets are available now. 

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