2015 Annual Report By The Numbers Mission

2015 Annual Report
By The Numbers
Mission
> Over 15,000 attendees
> 95% of films accompanied by talent/director/
producer.
> Out of 55 feature films: 9 World Premieres, 4
USA Premieres, 25 Florida Premieres.
> 40% of films are Florida productions.
> Attendees on average stayed 1.5 nights in area
hotels during festival
> Attendees spend on average $289 per person
during the festival
> 120+ volunteers contributing 2000+ hrs
The Tampa Film Institute, Inc. (d/b/a
Gasparilla International Film Festival) is a
cultural arts institution that inspires,
educates, and entertains Tampa Bay’s
diverse population through an annual
celebration of film, year-round events,
community outreach, and social
awareness initiatives that foster
communication, generate economic
impact, and provide support for the film
industry of Tampa Bay and the State of
Florida.
Executive Summary
Director Gil Cates Jr, Sean Astin, and Chris Mulkey presented with custom
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey
Year Round Activities
The Tampa Film Institute Inc. d/b/a the Gasparilla International Film
Festival (GIFF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Tampa,
Florida. GIFF has grown steadily since its inception in 2006, attracting
increasing attention from the local community and the film industry on a
national level. In its 9th year, GIFF yielded record breaking results in all
aspects, including attendance, caliber of films, local, national and
international recognition, media coverage and talent.
As this report highlights, GIFF’s impact on Tampa Bay reaches far beyond
the films, red carpet, and parties of the annual festival… GIFF is a pivotal
part of a vibrant, growing, connected, and ’cool’ Tampa Bay community
that supports and fosters the arts. GIFF fulfills a much needed role in the
community of educating, informing and entertaining the community
through film. GIFF has become an indispensable annual event with an
ever-growing year round presence.
In addition to the annual festival, GIFF also
promotes its mission through programs and projects
that occur year round.
> GIFF’s Indie Film Series showcases acclaimed
independent films from around the world in various
locations throughout the Tampa Bay Area year-round.
> GIFF re-opened a shuttered Channelside Cinemas in
Downtown Tampa as home of the 2015 GIFF
> GIFF is an integral part of Tampa’s Gasparilla Arts
Month movement to promote arts and culture with
Arts, Music, and Film events throughout the entire
month of March each year.
Full large theaters at Channelside Cinemas
Re-opened Channelside Cinemas gave GIFF
attendees a pop up theater experience AND much
needed economic impact to area businesses
Top: Family of Filmmakers after a Q&A session following the
screening their film as a part of GIFF’s Young Filmmaker’s
Showcase Program
Right: Preparing for Opening Night of the 2015 GIFF at the
historic Tampa Theatre in Downtown Tampa.
“GIFF is by far the best opportunity we have to
showcase Tampa Bay community for film
production” ~ Ken Hagan, Board of County
Commissioners, Hillsborough County
Leadership
Rachel Marks Feinman, President – Hill Ward Henderson
Michael Cichon, Vice President - Merril Lynch
Jonathan J. Ellis, – Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
Elizabeth Fendrick, – SAG/AFTRA Member
Greg Firestone—USF Conflict Resolution
Margaret McCormick—Dwight Darby
Kevin C. Ambler – Kevin Ambler, PA
Frank Robertson - Robertson Media
Joseph Restaino - Merril Lynch
Joseph Alexander - Leiser Skaff Alexander, PA
Executive Director: Monica Varner
Director of Development: Ferdian Jap
Programming Director: Andres Castillo
Actor & Advisory Board
Member Armand Assante
It’s a Wrap!
2015 FESTIVAL
Sean Astin & Gil Cates Jr. speaks to University
of Tampa Film Students
Family Fun Day Red Carpet
The Films
> 140 films screened in 6 days
> Films include premieres from
Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, and other
prominent festivals
> 95% of films represented by
filmmakers and/or actors
The 9th edition of GIFF wrapped up another
record breaking year. The FL Premiere of “The Surface” for
Opening Night drew record attendance to Tampa Theatre. The
re-opening of a closed movie theater to use as “home” gave
attendees a pop up theater experience. GIFF’s Family Fun Day
drew children and families to enjoy GIFF. With record
breaking attendance and corporate support in 2015, be on the
lookout for the 10th year anniversary edition of GIFF in 2016!
The Filmmakers
Filmmakers
> Filmmakers flew in from all over the
world, including Sweden and Cuba
> 30% of films were Florida Productions
> Distributors in attendance & made
deals with filmmakers
“Gasparilla Film Festival Wows!” - Tampa Bay Times
GIFF provides a stage for cultural
showcase through films:
> GIFF’s World Showcase Competition
showcased the best of international
independent films (15 films)
> Cuban Sidebar showcased 4 Cuban
films including a World Premiere!
Local Films Showcase
GIFF provides a platform for local
filmmakers to showcase their works:
> Screening of multiple Tampa based
documentaries, feature films, and shorts
> GIFF also becoming the “go-to” Film
Festival for Florida made film.
> Suncoast Credit Union Family Fun Day
provided fun & free activities for kids
and families, including free family
friendly film screenings.
> Free film screening tickets given to
low income, schools, students, & more
> 900+ Films submitted (90 accepted)
“Gasparilla International Film Fest Puts Tampa Bay in starring Role…”
- Tampa Bay Times
Cultural Showcase
Events & Access
Community Impact
Education
Economic Engine
GIFF provides access to education,
knowledge, and network for aspiring
filmmakers/actors:
GIFF creates significant economic impact
to the local economy through film
productions:
> Educational Panels featuring industry
leaders are free & open to the public.
> Over $1.8 Million Direct Spending
Economic Impact during Festival
> Filmmakers and talent visited
University of Tampa Film Class
> 1400+ Room Nights Generated
Access to Films
> Film Production recruitment
Cause Vehicle
GIFF provides access to independent
films that would otherwise not be
screened locally:
GIFF provides a vehicle for causes to
raise awareness through films:
> Films screened at GIFF play in other
large markets and film festivals around
the world but not Tampa
> Partnership w/ Junior League of Tampa
to raise awareness on human trafficking
through the film “Pembroke Circle”
> Residents would not have access to
these films otherwise
> “Among the Discarded” raised awareness on homelessness on Skid Row
2015 Sponsors
In the News
> GIFF’s World Premiere of “The Poet of
Havana” drew a sold out crowd to see the
world renowned musician Carlos Varela and
his special performance after the film
screening.
> Sean Astin’s (Rudy, Lord of the Rings)
attendance drew the biggest crowd yet at
the Opening Night Red Carpet.
> GIFF Traditional Media coverage reached
369,737,610 viewers around the world
> 2,188,471 Impressions on Facebook
Below: Carlos Varela being interviewed by Reuters
and Carlos’ intimate performance at GIFF
Featured In
Thank You