The Tampa Film Review will celebrate four years of showcasing local independent film on Friday, January 11 from 8 – 10 p.m. at the International Bazaar, 1600 E. Eighth Ave. in the Centro Ybor complex in Ybor City, by honoring both the best filmmakers of today and some of Tampa’s legendary artists. The event will be preceded by live music and refreshments at 7 p.m.

The January show will feature a “Best Of 2007” lineup. Each film showcased will also be presented with an award named in honor of a legendary Tampa artist.

The Tampa Film Review hopes such an event can bridge the gap between today’s artists and those Tampa artists who paved the way for the successes of Tampa’s current crop of artists. All of the filmmakers being honored will be present to accept the award. Many of the artists for whom the awards are named will either be on hand to present the award or have friends or family present the award in their stead.

The Tampa Film Review was founded in 2004 by Pete and Paul Guzzo as a monthly showcase for locally produced independent short films. During its first year, its average attendance numbered just 40. Today, almost 150 people a month are regularly in attendance with some months seeing close to 250 people in attendance. Films showcased at the TFR have also been screened at the Tampa Museum of Art’s Art After Dark events throughout the year. The TFR has also set up an exchange program with other monthly film fests around the world. In 2007, select films screened at TFR were shown in Canada, Australia and Oklahoma.

Tampa Film Review was awarded a 2005 Best of the Bay Award for BEST REASONS TO BELIEVE THE LOCAL FILM SCENE IS ALIVE AND WELL and another in 2007 for “BEST QUICK RECOVERY.”

This entry was posted on Monday, January 7th, 2008 at 9:09 pm and is filed under General News.