Gasparilla Film Festival Returns to Tampa Bay With Star-Studded Lineup and Global Indie Films

The Gasparilla International Film Festival runs March 3-8 in Tampa Bay for its 19th year. Big names are coming. Al Pacino, Bill Murray, Oscar Isaac, and John Travolta have projects in the lineup. The six-day event will screen features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, and international entries at several locations.

According to That's So Tampa, the Tampa Film Institute operates GIFF as a nonprofit. Their goal is to inspire, educate, and entertain through annual screenings. They also host year-round events, outreach, and social programs that support local filmmakers.

Since 2006, GIFF has welcomed thousands of filmmakers, actors, producers, and movie lovers. Nearly two decades later, it's grown into Tampa Bay's biggest indie film celebration.

Wednesday screenings happen at AMC West Shore from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday follows the same schedule at the same spot, so you can drop by after work.

The festival continues through the weekend. Attendees can build their own schedules across all six days.

Tickets and passes are sold online at GIFF's ticketing hub. The complete screening list lives on the festival's website.

Midweek showings give casual fans a chance to catch films without sacrificing their entire weekend. Programming fits around typical work hours.

GIFF screens independent productions from across the globe. Stories vary wildly — some intimate, others experimental.

Festival organizers stay active on Instagram and Facebook. Check their official accounts for showtimes, locations, and any late additions before you head out.