“Four Down,” the documentary feature film from Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award winning filmmaker Steven Cantor, will open the 20th edition of the internationally acclaimed Sunscreen Film Festival on April 24 in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla.
The film’s world premiere will take place at AMC Theatres Sundial, beginning with a red-carpet event at 5:30 p.m., followed by its screening at 7 p.m. The festival runs April 24-27.
“Four Down” is produced by Cantor and Jamie Schutz of Stick Figure Productions, metro Detroit native Rick French of Prix Productions, and Stanley Buchthal and David Koh of Dakota Media Group. It tells the story of Nick Schuyler’s rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard, 43 hours after a tragic boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico claimed the lives of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith, and Schuyler’s best friend and former University of South Florida teammate Will Bleakley.
The film explores friendship, survival, and the commitment of the U.S. Coast Guard, whose support was instrumental in bringing the documentary story to life, according to the filmmakers.
Gala Film, a leading Web3 entertainment company, financed the film, with its founder and CEO Eric Schiermeyer and senior vice president of content and partnerships Jonathan Hazeldine executive producing, alongside Schuyler; Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Archie Gips of Unrealistic Ideas; and Snoop Dogg and Sara Ramaker on behalf of Death Row Pictures.
Filmed on location in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tampa, and at Lantica Studios in the Dominican Republic, “Four Down” uses current commissioned U.S. Coast Guard members and officers for many of the film’s reenactments, with documentary-style interviews of the heroes behind the massive search and rescue effort 16 years ago that ultimately saved Schuyler’s life.
The opening night screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers, providing audiences with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film.
Following the screening and filmmaker Q&A, the festival will host its Opening Night Party at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, offering guests an evening of networking and entertainment.
Tickets for opening night and festival passes are now available for purchase here.
To read a DBusiness story about Rick French, visit here.
