Academy Award nominated actor Edward Norton and writer/producer Brian Koppelman (who recently teamed together as actor and producer of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful The Illusionist), will join in the festivities at SFF’s big first Saturday night (April 14) event, “The Reel Experience at The Lake Club.” Mr. Norton will be honored with the Festival’s Humanitarian Award with Koppelman receiving an ‘Excellence in Screenwriting’ honor for his work (which includes the upcoming Ocean’s Thirteen, as well as Runaway Jury, and Rounders starring Edward Norton).

The following day, the pair will participate in the festival program, In Conversation With…At The Historic Asolo Theatre where they will discuss their acclaimed careers, independently and mutually.

In Conversation With… At The Historic Asolo Theatre features the stars of the 2007 Sarasota Film Festival in an intimate conversational setting and offer a once in a lifetime chance to get up close and personal with the talented artists who have shaped this year’s event. (Other “Conversations” scheduled for the 2007 festival are planned with Marcia Gay Harden & Joe Pantoliano, who will discuss their festival film Canvas as well as their storied careers, and Norman Jewison whose conversation will be moderated by TCM’s Robert Osborne and will be taped for broadcast on that network’s Private Screening series).

Mssrs. Norton and Koppelman will also be attending several private dinners and receptions while in town on behalf of Enterprise Community Partners, a national community development organization investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year, and specifically to discuss that organization’s Hurricane Katrina relief fund and programs.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused major damage to 265,000 homes in Louisiana and Mississippi. Nearly half the families whose homes suffered damage were "very low-income" under the federal definition, meaning they earned about $25,000 or less. The storms also laid bare longstanding conditions in the Gulf Coast that exacerbate the rebuilding challenges - high concentrations of poverty, overburdened local government agencies and strained capacity among community-based organizations.

Enterprise is responding to this unprecedented disaster with an unprecedented response, bringing to bear all our resources to leverage locally led partnerships. Enterprise has committed to provide $200 million to help create more than 10,000 healthy, sustainable homes in the Gulf Coast by 2008.

Enterprises priorities in the Gulf region are simple: assist nonprofit and faith-based development organizations; create healthy, thriving communities for low-income families; provide safer, more sustainable development that saves energy and protects the environment; and assure low-income people a meaningful role in the rebuilding.

In addition to his stature as accomplished actor, Mr. Norton is widely known for his ongoing commitment to numerous not for profit organizations. He has served as a Trustee of the Enterprise Community Partners since 2000. He also worked in Enterprise’s New York office from 1991-1993 after his graduation from Yale University.

Enterprise Community Partners is a leading provider of development capital and expertise for creating decent, affordable homes in thriving communities. For more than two decades, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $7 billion in equity, grants and below-market loans and is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year.

It’s time again to leave the daily hum-drum of life and enter the world of flickering lights, fantastic dreams, tall tales, romance, reel life, fabulous parties, rock ‘n roll, educational journeys and so much more as the 9th Annual SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL gets underway. The 10-day event, which has grown into one of the leading film festivals in North America, will take place in the Gulf Coast resort city of Sarasota, Florida, April 13-22, 2007

The mission of the Sarasota Film Festival is to present unique and quality cinema in a festival atmosphere for the purpose of educating, stimulating and entertaining audiences. The Festival supports and encourages the filmmaker by supplying essential networking opportunities and open dialogue with intelligent, creative and inquisitive consumers of film. The Festival attracts audiences from local, national, and international markets as well as promoting Sarasota, Manatee and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities as cultural centers which contribute to the financial and cultural success of our region.

For more information on Enterprise Community Partners please visit www.enterprisecommunity.org. to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity, and to meet some of the half a million people they have helped.