Gasparilla International Film Festival 2025 Overview
This past March, the annual Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) took place, showcasing new independent films in the heart of Tampa Bay. Organized by the Tampa Film Institute, the festival aims to expose local film enthusiasts and aspiring professionals to a diverse range of independent features, shorts, music videos, and documentaries from around the globe, while also bringing cast and crew to discuss their films.
This year’s event featured esteemed guests such as John Travolta, who made a brief appearance at the Tampa Theater during the premiere of his latest film, “High Rollers.”
Film Spotlight: Almost Popular
One film presented with cast and crew in attendance was the new teen comedy “Almost Popular.” Directed by Nayip Ramos and written by Pamela Duffy-Little and Eleni Rivera, the film follows two best friends, Susie (Ruby Rose Turner) and Bobbie (Reid Miller), on a mission to become popular at their school, much to the dismay of elite ringleader Vicki (Ellodee Carpenter) and her crew.
“Almost Popular” draws heavily from the high school comedy genre, echoing characteristics found in films like “Mean Girls” and “Clueless.” However, it struggles to find a unique voice that sets it apart from other PG-13 teen comedies released in the past decade. The plot is thin and formulaic, serving mainly as a vehicle for jokes and gags reminiscent of a slightly raunchy Disney Channel original movie. Predictability reigns throughout the 95-minute runtime.
Plot Summary
Susie and Bobbie navigate a series of failed attempts to gain popularity, each one backfiring spectacularly. They try to buy TikTok followers to enhance their social media status, only to be exposed as frauds in the next scene. Following the advice of an ex-POP girl, they attend a party and attempt to adhere to a set of rules to avoid embarrassment in front of their peers. Naturally, they break all the rules and embarrass themselves. A falling out between the two friends seems to threaten their cherished friendship, but they quickly reconcile and become inseparable once again.
A secondary love triangle involving a football player, his nagging girlfriend, and the girl he truly loves adds another layer of predictability. While it’s easy to identify flaws in a straightforward comedy aimed at teenagers, these shortcomings make the film’s positive aspects more pronounced.
Performance and Audience Reception
Despite some clunky writing, “Almost Popular” benefits from the performances of Ruby Rose Turner and Reid Miller. Their natural chemistry and quick-witted exchanges elevate even the weakest jokes, transforming a stock dynamic into an entertaining and believable comedic duo. Audience reactions may have influenced my enjoyment, as the theater responded enthusiastically to each gag, prompting genuine laughs throughout the show.
Deep analysis is neither required nor encouraged to appreciate “Almost Popular.” While I typically prefer to engage critically with films, I found it more enjoyable once I allowed myself to relax. After all, I didn’t buy a ticket to the Berlin Philharmonic or an Ingmar Bergman film; I received a press pass to a light-hearted high school comedy that fulfills its promise of delivering laughs.
Target Audience Considerations
“Almost Popular” will likely resonate with its target demographic. Although the writers may not fully capture Gen Z sensibilities, the quirky characters and rapid-fire jokes should entertain the average teenage viewer. However, with a generation increasingly drawn to short-form content on TikTok and Instagram, one might wonder if “Almost Popular” will reach the audience that would appreciate it.
As the film continues its festival circuit, even widely released teen comedies from major studios have struggled to connect with their intended audiences in recent years. Unless social media virality or enthusiastic word-of-mouth propels “Almost Popular” into the spotlight, it risks slipping through the cracks and failing to capture the attention of its desired demographic.