20th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival Wraps with Record Attendance, Rave Reviews, and Powerful Stories

20th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival Wraps with Record Attendance, Rave Reviews, and Powerful Stories

 

Presented by the City of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Clearwater Film Commission, the event took place April 24-27, 2025, in St. Petersburg, FL.

 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – (May 2, 2025) – The Sunscreen Film Festival celebrated a historic 20th edition from April 24–27, 2025, drawing over 7,600 attendees to downtown St. Petersburg for a four-day celebration of independent film, creativity, and community. As Tampa Bay’s longest-running mainstream film festival, Sunscreen once again proved itself as a cornerstone of the region’s cultural identity and a vital launchpad for filmmakers. Hosted at the AMC Theatres Sundial and other venues across downtown, the festival presented a dynamic lineup of 224 films, complemented by red carpet events, industry panels, filmmaker workshops, and unforgettable parties. “This festival has grown into something truly special,” said Tony Armer, Sunscreen Co-Founder. “It’s not just about watching great films—it’s about building community, supporting creators, and making St. Pete a hub for independent cinema.”

 

���� Opening Night & Special Events

The festival opened with the world premiere of Four Down, a harrowing and inspiring documentary about survival and resilience, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Steven Cantor and produced by Cantor and Jamie Schutz of Stick Figure Productions, Rick French of Prix Productions, and Stanley Buchthal and David Koh of Dakota Media Group. A Q&A with the filmmakers followed, along with an opening night party at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art.

Other key events included:

• Filmmakers Party at FloridaRama

• 16 Panels and Workshops on screenwriting, producing, directing, financing and more.

• A stunning Awards Ceremony on the St. Pete Pier, with food, drinks, and waterfront views

 

���� 2025 Festival Award Winners

Category Winner

Best High School Short Film Encounter

Best College Short Film Off Limits

Best Florida Film Little Haiti for Best, Florida

Best International Short Film Satellites Never Fall from the Sky

Best Animated Film The Escort

Best Short Documentary Salt Cured Life

Alan Armstrong Service Award Sydney Parkhurst

The Dale Pople Best Sci-Fi Film Award Project Penelope

Best Mid-Length Film El Rebote

Best Short Film Tripple Trouble

Best Documentary Feature Four Down

Best Comedy Feature Operation Taco Gary’s

Best International Feature Time Travel Is Dangerous

Dave Barrett Cinematography Award Eastern Western, Cameron Wheeless

Best Director Todd Wiseman, Jr., The School Duel

Best Narrative Feature The School Duel

Best Actor Dustin Milligan, Operation Taco Gary’s

Best Actress Leah Bateman, Where Were You

Best Screenplay The School Duel

 

��� Filmmaker and Attendee Testimonials

Filmmakers and guests flooded social media and post-event forums with glowing reviews: “Great festival. This was my first time, but we met so many filmmakers who had been coming for years. They clearly support alumni filmmakers and have created a really strong network. The venues for screenings and parties were amazing, and theaters were packed!” — Yasmin Mistry

 

“Sunscreen has been such a huge part of the area for so many years. It was incredible to premiere my short there. The programming is amazing and it's a really fun festival! I had such a blast being back home—and perfect timing for the weather. Don’t sleep on this festival!” — Anthony Valdez

 

“What an amazing event. We felt so welcomed, and there was no shortage of films, events, and workshops to attend. The Awards Party on the pier? Unreal. Walking away with a 'Best Actress' award didn’t hurt either. Thanks Sunscreen!”

— Philip Abraham

 

“Sunscreen was an outstanding EXPERIENCE! From packed screenings at AMC Sundial 12 to truly supportive staff and panels, they created an environment where filmmakers flourish. The parties and networking? Some of the best I’ve ever been to.” — Thomas Hindy

 

����� Economic and Cultural Impact

Over its two-decade history, Sunscreen has driven more than $40 million in economic impact for the region, boosting tourism, hospitality, and local business while raising the profile of Tampa Bay as a film destination. With filmmakers traveling from around the U.S., UK, Germany, and Latin America, this year’s event reaffirmed St. Petersburg’s status as a global cultural hub.

 

����Looking Ahead

As the festival moves into its third decade, Sunscreen remains dedicated to fostering storytelling, empowering diverse voices, and celebrating film year-round through screenings, panels, and education. To learn more about the festival or get involved, visit: www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com

 

About Sunscreen Film Festival:

The Sunscreen Film Festival was founded in 2005 by Tony Armer and Derek Miner to celebrate independent filmmaking and nurture the arts community in St. Petersburg, FL. Now in its 20th year, the festival is a recognized leader in the industry, offering world-class programming and fostering connections between filmmakers and audiences. The Sunscreen Film Festival is organized and presented by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society Inc., a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, screening top-notch films, providing year-round programing, including; films, educational workshops, parties, and events in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa, Florida. Consistently internationally recognized as a top global film festival it is the longest-running mainstream film festival in the Tampa Bay area.