Tampa Marketing Exec Produces Three Films Screening at Gasparilla International and Sunscreen Film Festivals
TAMPA, Fla., (March 21, 2024) – Call it a hattrick or just a festival anomaly, but Eric Polins, Managing Partner at HCP Associates, has two films debuting at the 2024 Gasparilla International Film Festival this weekend and then another one in April at the 2024 Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg.
Polins is no stranger to the film and production business, as he started an indie film company back in 1997 with business partner Sean Coniglio called Gulf+Atlantic Films (www.gafilms.com). Polins also served as a longtime board and advisory member for GIFF and was a past President. Not by coincidence, fellow HCP Partner Coniglio was one of the original founding members of the 17-year-old film festival’s parent organization, The Tampa Film Institute, along with Founder Eric Odum, GMF Founder David Cox, and others.
“Post an early journalism stint, I ‘worked’ as an actor in the early 90s in Florida and quickly realized my skill set was more of ‘behind the camera’. For the past decade, I have focused more on producing films written and directed by younger filmmakers. This doesn’t interfere with my role at HCP for the past 24 years and it keeps me in the game with growing credits in IMDB; but more importantly, gives me great joy supporting some amazingly talented young writers and directors trying to make their mark in the industry,” Polins said.
Typically, a film producer oversees and manages all aspects of a film’s production, from development and financing to post-production and distribution. However, in Polins’ case, he mostly serves as an associate producer or co-producer these days to stay focused on his marketing businesses while dipping a toe in the film industry to support new filmmakers.
“I did Executive Produce a feature-length film in 2006 titled “Descansos”, but after spending three years of my life on the project, I quickly realized that lifestyle was not for me. This level of commitment feeds my love for film and helping young filmmakers, without the risks — in my opinion,” Polins said.
Polins’ producing efforts benefited three very different films from filmmakers in London, New York, and Tampa:
London-based Directors Linda Ludwig and James Curle with Inquisitive Pictures Productions debut their short film titled “Under the Blue” at The Gasparilla Film Festival’s International Shorts segment on Saturday, March 23 at 12:15 pm at AMC Westshore Theatre 2. The storyline is based on a true event: Bruised, hungry, and only halfway through her late shift, a lonely and disillusioned police officer forms an unlikely connection with an appreciative and thankful criminal.
Tampa-based writer and director Joshua Morgan debuts his first film entitled “Children of the Pines” at the Gasparilla International Film Festival on March 23 at 9:30 pm at AMC Westshore Theater 5. The film’s treatment revolves around Riley, a college junior, persuaded by her estranged parents to visit. Unbeknownst to her, they’ve developed an unsettling friendship with her high school ex, while also seeking supernatural healing for their family’s deep-rooted issues.
From April 25-28, the 19th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg will host New York City-based Krystyna Hutchinson, Ally Giannini, and Ben Nigh from Hello There Productions to debut their short film entitled “The Tower”. The film follows a woman named Lucy who receives an ominous tarot card reading that sends her running. She realizes she’s being followed, but no matter where she goes, the elusive figure is already there waiting. “The Tower” will run in the Retro Shorts Block on Sunday, April 28 from 1:15 to 3:00 pm at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in downtown St. Petersburg.
To learn more about the Gasparilla International Film Festival or to purchase tickets, please visit www.gasparillafilmfestival.com. To learn more about the Sunscreen Film Festival in April, please visit www.sunscreenfilmfestival.com.
About Gasparilla International Film Festival
It’s GIFF’s 17th Anniversary! The Gasparilla International Film Festival is Tampa Bay’s largest celebration of independent film held annually in Tampa, Florida. GIFF has become the most exciting and well-attended film festival regionally and in the Tampa Bay area. GIFF is run by the 501(C)3 Nonprofit Organization, The Tampa Film Institute, Inc. GIFF is a cultural arts institution that inspires, educates, and entertains Tampa Bay’s diverse population through an annual celebration of film, year-round events, community outreach, and social awareness initiatives that foster communication, generate economic impact, and provide support for the film industry of Tampa Bay and the State of Florida. The festival showcases films of all types/genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, international films, and more.
About Sunscreen Film, Festival
Celebrating 18 years, The Sunscreen Film Festival is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization (The St. Petersburg Clearwater Film Society) that is funded through grants, private and public donations, corporate sponsorships, educational classes, and workshops, and interested parties who want to see the arts thrive.