The Florida Film Festival (April 5-14) is hands down one of my favorite events in Orlando. Of course, the selection of films is grand (this year there are 167 from 31 different countries), it’s somewhat likely you’ll rub shoulders with a celebrity or filmmaker, and there’s the chance to chow down on some delectable foods.
“The Florida Film Festival continues to attract independent filmmakers in record numbers,” says Henry Maldonado, president of Enzian and the Florida Film Festival.” With 22 world premieres, our audience has the chance to have their eyes opened to amazing films with a broad range of themes, styles, and surprises.”
Director Jorge Hinojosa, who grew up in Oviedo, Fla., will unveil his documentary about the legendary Chicago pimp and author, Iceberg Slim. Benjamin Fuqua (Producer), a Full Sail graduate, and FSU graduates Cherie Saulter (Producer) and Julio Perez (Editor) have films competing in the Narrative Feature competition. Among the recognizable faces on screen this year are Jane Adams (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Jason Ritter (TV’s Parenthood), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Tippi Hedren (The Birds), and Melanie Lynskey (Up In the Air).
Director Jorge Hinojosa will unveil his documentary about the legendary Chicago pimp and author, Iceberg Slim. Benjamin Fuqua (Producer), a Full Sail graduate, and FSU graduates Cherie Saulter (Producer) and Julio Perez (Editor) have films competing in the Narrative Feature competition. Among the recognizable faces on screen this year are Jane Adams (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Jason Ritter (TV’s Parenthood), Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Tippi Hedren (The Birds), and Melanie Lynskey (Up In the Air).
“I just love this group of films, commented Matthew Curtis, Florida Film Festival Programming Director. “While the selection process was more difficult than ever due to the sheer volume of wonderful entries, I’m confident our audiences will be as entertained, engaged, surprised, and moved as we were,” “The fact that so many of the doc features in the American Independent Competition revolve around artists of all types is an exciting development, and we have a great mix of fresh talent and returning Florida Film Festival veterans doing outstanding new work that we’re proud to present to our community.”
Here are a few films I’ve seen so far that I really enjoyed:
Fame High
Twenty Feet From Stardom
Visit www.FloridaFilmFestival.com for the complete festival lineup.
