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Sarasota Film Festival opening night gets the party started

After watching the opening night film, guests enjoyed an after party April 6 at The Sarasota Modern.


  • By Niki Kottmann
  • | 1:06 p.m. April 6, 2019
  • Arts + Culture
  • Share

Sarasota Film Festival 2019 kicked off April 6 with a documentary that, as one audience member put it, made viewers “think about what makes good journalism.”

Award-winning Israeli filmmaker Avi Belkin’s film “Mike Wallace is Here” served as the opening night film at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium — a film that follows the more than 50-year-long broadcast journalism career of “60 Minutes” correspondent Mike Wallace and the struggles he dealt with off camera. 

After the screening, guests headed to the Rosemary District's newest nightlife spot (that's actually a hotel), The Sarasota Modern, for a poolside party. Eventgoers sipped on cocktails, munched on hors d'oeuvres — and a whole table of solely doughnuts — and enjoyed live music and other performances. The most notable sources of entertainment were the dancing fire-eater and two lounging mermaids that welcomed guests as they walked in. 

Susann Chalhub and Stacy Prouty
Susann Chalhub and Stacy Prouty
The pool of The Sarasota Modern hotel was decorated with SFF balloons and colorful lighting.
The pool of The Sarasota Modern hotel was decorated with SFF balloons and colorful lighting.
Gail and Jerrold Kamensky
Gail and Jerrold Kamensky
Amy Tuten, Mary and Charlie Cusimano and Carol Bourbeau
Amy Tuten, Mary and Charlie Cusimano and Carol Bourbeau
Dianne and Hal Brin
Dianne and Hal Brin
The table at the far end of the party features everything a sweet tooth dreams of.
The table at the far end of the party features everything a sweet tooth dreams of.
Brian and Matt Craft
Brian and Matt Craft
A fire-eater entertains guests near the entrance to the party.
A fire-eater entertains guests near the entrance to the party.
A fire-eater entertains guests near the entrance to the party.
A fire-eater entertains guests near the entrance to the party.
C.K. Mallick and Debra Kaye
C.K. Mallick and Debra Kaye
Sadie Rogers, Matt De caro, Susie Brown and Bob Thill
Sadie Rogers, Matt De caro, Susie Brown and Bob Thill
Dawn Williams Boyd, Iyabo Boyd and Nellie Killian
Dawn Williams Boyd, Iyabo Boyd and Nellie Killian
Ramona Glanz and Andrew Vac
Ramona Glanz and Andrew Vac
Laura Bell Adams, Mikko Royce, Jodi Schwarzenbach, Michelle Teeter and Sande Caplin
Laura Bell Adams, Mikko Royce, Jodi Schwarzenbach, Michelle Teeter and Sande Caplin
Teresa Jones and Karen Johnson
Teresa Jones and Karen Johnson
Mermaids lounge poolside.
Mermaids lounge poolside.

 

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