Celebrities and film makers walked the red carpet Thursday to open the 12th Annual Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg.

  • 125 films showing April 28-30
  • Dylan McDermott, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano among attendees
  • Actors will speak at panels, workshops throughout weekend

Among the stars attending Opening Night of the festival at St. Petersburg's The Palladium were actors Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, and Dylan McDermott. McDermott will attend screenings for two of his productions this weekend, including "Sugar", a web series about human trafficking that he help shepherd in multiple production roles.

"I wrote and directed it also and produced [Sugar]," said McDermott. "It was interesting because then it's sort of like a clean vision you know, there's no one in the way of your vision so I enjoyed that.

Davi, who longtime film fans will recognize for his many "bad guy" roles, will accept the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday. Pantoliano, most well-known for roles in "The Sopranos" and "The Matrix", will be awarded the festival's Legacy Award.

Actress Kirstie Allley, who made a surprise appearance on the red carpet, told us she hopes to bring even more production to the Bay area.

"I'm working on a TV series that I hope to shoot in Florida," said Alley. "I have a house in Clearwater and I'd love to shoot it close, within 30 minutes of my house."

Films screened at the festival throughout the weekend will include foreign language films, social awareness-focused projects and documentaries.

Sunscreen will also feature a variety of short programs and a busy workshop schedule.

It's not all serious, however. Saturday evening will feature a special outdoor screening of "Spaceballs", hosted by one of the film's stars, Daphne Zuniga. The screening will coincide with the film's 30th anniversary.

For more information, visit http://sunscreenfilmfestival.com/