Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominated actor Dylan McDermott, who's currently the lead on CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted, will return to Sarasota on Nov. 4, 2023, as the first guest of the inaugural season of the Children Charities Speaker Series, a collaboration between Semkhor and Florida Winefest/Caring for Children Charities.

With an emphasis on visual effects, film, and television, the partnership—called the Creative Empowerment Program—aims to provide talented students with direct access to recognized filmmakers and artists so they can develop their skills and build careers in the industry. The organizations plan to do this through scholarships, opportunities to work on real-world productions, the Children Charities Speaker Series and other experiences. 

McDermott himself is a longtime advocate for young people looking to break into the film industry. Most recently, he shot Sugar—a series of webisodes he created—locally in Sarasota-Manatee and was involved with Ringling College of Art & Design's film program for more than four years, visiting the region often.