In January, I stood in line outside the famous Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theater, shivering in the snow as I waited to watch “To Kill A Man,” a feature film, and the first film of my Sundance Film Festival experience.

As a self-proclaimed movie buff I was ecstatic to check off my bucket list attending one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.

Before attending Sundance, I’d only experienced film festivals in Florida cities — Orlando, St. Augustine, Fort Lauderdale and Sarasota. While the crowds, the parties, and the number of celebrities elevate the Park City festival to a different status, the spirit of the festival is very much the same in Sarasota. People who love movies gather in theater settings to watch the final polished product and listen intently as filmmakers, actors and crew members explain the passion and work that went into creating what we see on the big screen.

Read more here.

***

Additional coverage for the Herald-Tribune:

15 years of celebrating women film making, March 28, 2014

The Through Women’s Eyes Film Festival will celebrate its 15th year of promoting international women filmmakers in Sarasota this year.

A film festival plan of attack, April 4, 2014

Are you planning on seeing multiple movies at the film fest this year? Here are a few things to consider before you go. Take it from me, a seasoned volunteer with experience at film festivals across the state.

Doctor who lost daughters in Israeli tank strike will sign books at film festival, April 8, 2014

Forgiveness doesn’t always come easily.

But after losing his three daughters and a niece when an Israeli tank mistakenly fired into their home in 2009, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish found it in him to forgive the tragic acts that violently ended the lives of those he loved. His emotional trek that led him to forgiveness is detailed in Abuelaish’s book, “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey.”