{"id":161560,"date":"2026-02-19T19:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/161560\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T19:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T19:11:12","slug":"gasparilla-film-fest-showcases-dozens-of-stars-new-films-indie-hits-and-panels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/161560\/","title":{"rendered":"Gasparilla Film Fest\u00a0showcases dozens of stars, new films, indie hits and panels"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Tampa\u2019s got a proud tradition of throwing festivals for basically everything: pirates, strawberries, pirates stealing strawberries, you get it. And now it\u2019s time to add one more to your calendar. The Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) is back for its 19th year, running March 3\u20138, with a week of independent films and the kind of artsy energy that makes you briefly believe you, too, could shoot an award-winning short on your phone.<\/p>\n

GIFF is Tampa Bay\u2019s biggest indie film party, and it\u2019s run by the nonprofit Tampa Film Institute, which says the whole point is to inspire, educate, and entertain through the annual festival, alongside year-round events, outreach, and social awareness programs that support the local film scene. In other words, it\u2019s not just \u201cwatch movie, clap,\u201d it\u2019s \u201cwatch movie, clap, then accidentally join a community conversation about why stories matter,\u201d which is a lovely problem to have. Check out the full list of showings here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Indie cinema, big feelings<\/p>\n

What\u2019s on screen? A little bit of everything. The festival showcases features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, and international films. It\u2019s basically the entire cinematic buffet, from \u201cheartfelt and intimate\u201d to \u201cI have no idea what I just watched but I respect the confidence.\u201d And this is a star-studded affair. From Al Pacino and Bill Murray to Oscar Isaac and John Travolta, GIFF features films from some of Hollywood\u2019s biggest names.<\/p>\n

Practically speaking, you\u2019ll want to plan around the schedule and grab tickets or passes online at GIFF\u2019s ticketing hub<\/a>. Midweek is especially friendly for casual fans who want a taste without committing their whole weekend to cinema. For example, Wednesday programming is listed at AMC West Shore from 5\u201310 pm, while Friday\u2019s slate also runs 5\u201310 pm at the same spot, which is perfect if you\u2019d like your film festival experience to include a normal workday and then a sudden, glamorous pivot into \u201cI have opinions about cinematography now.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re the \u201cgo big\u201d type, the festival stretches across the weekend too, so you can build your own mini-marathon, and still be home before your laundry judges you.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the sneaky best part: GIFF\u2019s been around since 2006 and says it\u2019s hosted thousands of filmmakers, talent, producers, and film buffs over the years, so you\u2019re not just watching movies, you\u2019re plugging into a legit creative ecosystem with actual humans who make actual things.<\/p>\n

For full showtimes, venues, and any last-minute additions, check the official schedule before you go. Also, consider tossing them a follow on Instagram<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photos via Gasparilla International Film Festival\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n