What a terrific start to the second annual Gasparilla Film Festival last night. Around 800 people crammed into Tampa Theatre for the opening night shindig featuring Kabluey, a very good comedy written and directed by its star, Scott Prendergast, and produced by Berkeley Prep and Harvard graduate Jeff Balis.

Funny, the word "kabluey" came to mind a year ago when the Gasparilla festival never really got off the ground last year. Last night, I told executive director John Rosser -- hired for the salvaging job after last year's disappointment -- that he's the MVP in an impressive comeback story.

Rosser and president Eric Odum told me that online tickets sales for the festival -- running through Sunday with most screenings at Channelside Cinemas --- have already doubled last year's attendance.
That's what happens with a more attractive film lineup, a touch of stardust and a smartly executed marketing scheme. I have a gut feeling this festival is here to stay.

I also have a feeling Kabluey will return this summer. At least that's the timetable Sony Pictures Entertainment mentioned to Balis, who's pushing for a hometown engagement whenever. The Gasparilla folks had a rare chance Wednesday to make a second first impression. Choosing Kabluey was a wise decision.

Kabluey follows a slack-jawed slacker named Salman (Prendergast) as he attempts to help his sister-in-law (another solid Lisa Kudrow performance) take care of two hellion sons while his brother serves in Iraq. Salman takes a job at her failing computer company, passing around leaflets while hilariously dressed as a corporate mascot.

The comedy ranges from broad (those kids could bring spanking back in style) to wonderfully absurd -- the corporate mascot costume Salman wears leads to visual gags reminiscent of the Coen brothers at their zaniest. Kabluey veers from slapstick to drama and never too far either way. I was expecting a so-so effort and came away thinking this is my favorite new movie in an admittedly young movie year.

The good feelings carried over to a Sangria-fueled gathering at nearby Spain restaurant,
which is really only the size of Portugal in a relative sense. Chatted up some folks including Balis' former Berkeley Prep teacher and enduring mentor Kathi Grau
, known to Gasparilla parade watchers as the flamboyant Mama Guava. Kathi has led the procession for 22 years, so larger than life that she surprised me by being so short.

The festival continues today at Channelside at 5 p.m. with Autism: The Musical, followed by a collection of short films, a documentary about comedian Judy Toll, the first of the fest's Latin Panorama selections and the 70's sexual revolution satire Viva.

Friday night, the theater vwill be jammed with Florida State University football fans when the Bobby Bowden profile The Good Fight is shown. Times sportswriter Brian Landman published an interesting interview with director George Butler today.

Check out today's Weekend section for a festival preview. Tomorrow's Floridian includes my interview with Blood Feast creator Herschell Gordon Lewis in advance of Saturday night's 45th anniversary screening where I'll be conducting  a Q&A with him and producer David F. Friedman. You'll also find an interview with closing night honoree Brittany Snow (Hairspray), like Balis another hometown product made good.