As film buffs convene in the majestic red rocks of Sedona, Sky Rock Inn offers guests a chance to meet the makers of some of the best films of the Sedona International Film Festival. Sky Rock is hosting two educational seminars during the festival for hotel guests. The workshops, dubbed “Meet the Filmmaker,” will feature panel discussions with industry-recognized directors, producers and actors, giving participants an up-close look at how art can turn into activism.

The first workshop, “Filmmaker Roundtable: The Future of Film,” will be on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to participate in a roundtable discussion about topics ranging from financing and distribution to producing, directing and casting with filmmakers over cocktails while enjoying a stunning Sedona sunset.

The second workshop, hosted on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m. is “Art into Activism: Movies into Movements” and will feature Greenpeace campaigner and marine biologist, John Hocevar. Hocevar is visiting the festival to introduce, Sanctuary, an important Javier Bardem film about Antarctica.

The festival, in its 26th year, will bring filmmakers, industry professionals, celebrities and audiences together to celebrate the craft. There’s a film for every kind of cinephile – features, shorts, animation, documentaries, foreign and students films. The festival runs Feb. 22 to March 1 and will bring 160 award-worthy films to the Arizona desert.

To enjoy a day or two, or all nine days of the festival, Sky Rock Inn is offering a 15% discount on all stays during the Sedona International Film Festival by using the promo code FILM. Sky Rock guests may even get the opportunity to rub elbows with one of the indie directors, producers or actors at the festival.

Reservations can be made online at skyrocksedona.com or by calling (928) 282-3072.

Guests can use the promo code FILM for a 15% discount on all stays.

By Angela Menninger