FORT PIERCE, Fla.-Have you ever found yourself wishing for the opportunity to talk to the director of a film you just saw? Have you ever wanted to see a film that just wasn't playing in the area?

The St. Lucie Film Society will try to fill that void!

Award winning Director Jose Garofalo, Puerto Rican Association For Hispanic Affairs President Jacquelene Burke and Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce President Robert Roldan's collaboration on another project, was the genesis of the St. Lucie Film Society.

"Meetings with Jose (Garofalo) made me realize the community is missing out," Burke said.

Their vision to expose the community to films with life-altering messages and the opportunity to meet and discuss the films with their creative geniuses fueled their relationship. Garofalo not only promises screenings, but lectures are also in the works.

"It's important to nurture our young aspiring filmmakers," Garofalo said.

The St. Lucie Film Society, whose home is the recently restored Downtown Fort Pierce's Sunrise Theatre, is dedicated to the promotion of independent and foreign film as an art form and to bring films of artistic and cultural importance to our community.

"We will definitely benefit from these international and independent films because we are a diverse community," Rodan said.

Their mission is to develop events that will expose their neighbors to culturally diverse films. It will also assist in the education of future filmmakers through educational programs, scholarships, and other forms of support. For more information, please visit their website at www.stluciefilmsociety.com or call them at 772.343.1818.