Spring time is near, and it is time again for Sarasota Film Festival!

Along with big name film festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival in Utah and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, the Sarasota Film Festival is ranked as one of the top film festivals in the country.

SFF is held every year and gives filmmakers the opportunity to premier their films in Sarasota, a community known for the arts. Many filmmakers have been honored at the SFF, including Charlize Theron, Stanley Tucci, and Billy Crystal.

Last year,as part of the festival’s educational outreach, the SFF offered ODA’s freshman and sophomore class a chance to see the film Ethel as part of their “Kids VIP Trip.” This year, SFF has extended their partnership with ODA to hold a series of events for select ODA students. Here are this year’s planned events:

Classroom Critic for Middle School Grades 7 & 8– March 18

Middle School students will receive the opportunity to learn more about watching films as a film critic would do. They will learn about the art of criticism and then create original film reviews that will be presented in the YouthFest program of the SFF. The top reviews will be published in the Observer prior to the film opening.

Junior Jury & Journalism Class– March 20 – March 22

The ODA Bolt writers will have a special opportunity to also participate in learning how to critique films. After watching the films, students will write reviews. Students also will get a chance to walk the red carpet at the SFF and announce what they think is the best film of the 2013 festival.

Kids VIP Trip for Grades 9 and 10– April 10 

Last year’s freshman and sophomore classes went to go see the film Ethel. The youngest daughter of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, wanted to show the story of her famous mother and father. With great feedback from the students, SFF is holding the same program for this year’s freshman and sophomore classes. Both grades will go to see a documentary and may even get a chance to meet with the film maker. After the film, freshman also get to travel to the “Embracing our Differences” exhibit.

If you would like to find out more, go visit SFF’s website at sarasotafilmfestival.com