From Script to Cannes in 7 Months: A Case Study - Workshop

How do you take a screenplay from an idea on the page to a completed feature film, and get it into the international marketplace?
About this Event

From Script to Cannes in 7 Months

September 29, 2026 – 6:30 PM

WHAT: From screenplay to production to Cannes in seven months. Filmmaker and Sunscreen Film Festival Co-Founder and President Tony Armer breaks down the real-world process of taking an independent feature from script to the global marketplace.

WHERE:
Charlene A. Gordon Theater
Ferman Center for the Arts, University of Tampa
📍 214 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606

PARKING:
Rick Thomas Parking Garage
📍 810 Frederic H. Spaulding Dr, Tampa, FL 33606

DETAILS: The Sunscreen Film Festival, in partnership with The University of Tampa Film, Animation and New Media program, presents a free filmmaking workshop with filmmaker, producer, and Sunscreen Film Festival Co-Founder and President Tony Armer.

How do you take a screenplay from an idea on the page to a completed feature film and get it into the global marketplace?

Drawing from multiple real-world case studies, Tony will break down the complete journey from screenplay through development, financing, pre-production, production, post-production, film markets, sales, distribution, and release.

The workshop will focus on the new feature, Key of Bones: Curse of the Ghost Pirate, which was filmed on location in Key West in January 2026 and just four months later had a market screening at the Cannes Marché du Film as part of the Fantastic Pavilion in May 2026.

Tony will also draw from his experience producing Bernie the Dolphin 1 & 2, which followed a similarly accelerated path from development and production into the international marketplace and was ultimately distributed by Lionsgate.

Using these projects as case studies, the workshop will explore the practical realities of:

• Developing a screenplay into a producible feature
• Packaging, budgeting, and financing an independent film
• Moving efficiently through pre-production and production
• Navigating post-production and deliverables
• Understanding the difference between film festivals and film markets
• Working with sales agents, distributors, and international buyers
• Taking a completed film into the global marketplace
• Building a realistic strategy for distribution and release

This isn't theory. It's a practical look at the decisions, timelines, challenges, successes, and lessons learned from actually taking independent feature films from the page through production and into the marketplace.

FREE and open to the public. Advance registration is requested.

Presented by the Sunscreen Film Festival in partnership with The University of Tampa Film, Animation and New Media program.