Tampa International Film Festival Set to Unreel

Now in its second year, the festival is partnering with the new Madstone Theaters, 1609 W. Swann Ave. in Hyde Park, where all screenings will be held.

Last year, the Weekly Planet named TIFF “Best Film Festival” and festival director Rob Tregenza “Best Mover and Shaker on the Local Film Scene.”

Again this year, Tregenza and his programmers have scoured the major international film festivals, and have selected exciting and thought-provoking cinema from Japan, China, Cuba, Canada, Iran, Italy, Austria, France, Sweden, Latin America and the Czech Republic.  All films are making their Florida premiers at the festival.

“The robust response to last year’s festival really proved there was a need for a quality, world-class international film festival here in Tampa.  We had over three thousand admissions in the first edition of TIFF,” said Dr. Tregenza, associate professor of communication at The University of Tampa.

The opening night films will be Luck, directed by Peter Wellington, a dramatic comedy from Canada focusing on hockey, love and gambling, and Crimson Gold, a powerful drama from Iran that screened at Cannes and New York film festivals.

The closing night films will be Hukkle, from Hungary, winner of last year’s European Film Award for Best First Film, and Japanese director Takeshi Kitano’s Dolls, a hit at the Venice and Toronto international film festivals.

Tickets to individual films are $7 general, $5 for seniors and students with I.D.  Festival passes are $50 for admission to 10 films.  Gold Card Express, $150, gains admission to all screenings and the opening night party.  Tickets are on sale at Madstone Theaters.