The 36th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will be a hybrid experience offering both in-theater and virtual film screenings of more than 100 film from November 4-21, 2021.
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
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ETERNALS to Open Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2021
Eternals starring Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kit Harrington
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“The Comeback Trail,” “Francesco,” and “Ancient Caves” Headline 35th Fort Lauderdale Film Festival Lineup
Francesco directed by Evgeny Afineevsky The 35th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicks-off with the premiere director George Gallo’s The Comeback Trail featuring an all-star cast including Academy Award winning actors Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones, Golden Globe nominated actor Zach Braff (Scrubs) with co-stars Emile Hirsch, Eddie Griffin and South Florida actress Kate Katzman.
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Visually Stunning Documentary CUBA to Open Fort Lauderdale Intl Film Fest 2019 + Fest Unveils Lineup
CUBA directed by Peter S. Chang The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) returns for its 34th year, November 1 thru 17, 2019, with an exciting line-up of more than 150 films. Opening Night kicks-off at the Museum of Discovery and Science with the South Florida premiere of Cuba on the giant Autonation IMAX® screen. Directed by Peter S. Chang, this visually stunning film will transport audiences across breathtaking landscapes, under the ocean surface to iridescent reefs, and into streets throbbing with music and dance in the heart of Havana.
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33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Announces Lineup of 150+ Films
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The Return of the Hero[/caption]
The 33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival today announced the film line-up of more than 150 films for the 33rd annual event held from November 2 to 18, 2018.
This year’s honorees include OscarⓇ nominated filmmaker Gary Ross (Big, Seabiscuit) will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a tribute screening of his 1998 award-winning film, Pleasantville. Ross is also known for The Hunger Games (2012) and most recently Ocean’s 8 (2018). Transparent‘s Melora Hardin, will be presented with a Career Achievement Award at the World Premiere of Paul Osborne’s Cruel Hearts. Jeremy Piven, perhaps best known as Ari Gold on Entourage, will receive a Career Achievement Award Opening Night at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Screen 7 Recording legend, Connie Francis will attend FLiFF’s poolside retro screening of Where the Boys Are, and present former singing star Frank Loconto, of The Laine Brothers, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, Inventor-Philantropist-Filmmaker, Maurice Kanbar, namesake of the Maurice Kanbar Insitute of Film & Television at NYU.
FLiFF kicks-off with the Opening Night Film with the East Coast Premiere of The Return of the Hero, a hilarious comedy starring OscarⓇ Winner, Jean Dujardin (The Artist) as the dashing Captain Neuville. Set in 1809 during the Napoleonic era, Neuville is called to the front, leaving his future bride heartbroken. Her sister decides to write letters on his behalf to cheer her up. But it all goes south when Neuville reappears.
For the Centerpiece Film and Party, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger arrives from Copenhagen in time for the red carpet at the Southeast Premiere of his dark “odd couple” comedy, The Saint Bernard Syndicate, which charts two hapless Danes as they scheme to sell Saint Bernards to China’s middle class as status symbols. Attendees will also meet a couple Saint Bernards from the Florida St. Bernard Rescue.
FLiFF’s Closing Night Film is the Florida Premiere of Sharkwater Extinction. The thrilling and inspiring action-packed journey exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it; a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks. Director, Rob Stewart, tragically lost his life while filming Sharkwater Extinction last year in the Florida Keys. Rob dedicated his life to saving our oceans. Special Guests are Rob’s parents and producers of the film, Brian and Sandy Stewart who will present the Rob Stewart Environmental Award to one of this year’s festival selections to Poisoning Paradise.
In addition to Sharkwater Extinction, there are three additional environmental films. The East Coast Premiere of Aldabra: Once Upon an Island, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, is a wonderfully entertaining 3D journey featuring heroes Elvi the Giant Tortoise, Buster the Robber Crab and other marine characters. The Florida Premiere of Poisoning Paradise, produced by Pierce Brosnan with wife and directors Keely Shaye Brosnan and Teresa Tico, reveals the devastating impact of pesticide poisoning on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai and exposes the collusion between federal and state legislators and the world’s largest biotech companies. The Southeast Premiere of Secrets of a Frozen Ocean follows 75 year old, Yngve Kristoffersen, a Norwegian scientist who sets out on a dangerous 18 month expedition in the Arctic to prove a theory of an asteroid that hit the Arctic Ocean millions of years ago and affects earth to this day.
FLiFF will host 4 Benefit Premieres. The Southeast Premiere of Intelligent Lives, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America. The award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib, will be in attendance. 100% of the proceeds will benefit United Community Options of South Florida, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida.
The Florida Premiere of The Land of High Mountains (Haiti), Will Agee’s inspiring true story of the only pediatric hospital in Haiti providing life-saving, healthcare to the most vulnerable families for over 30 years and the incredible people, both Haitian and foreign, who are working together to heal the children and to realize the dreams of a nation. 100% of the ticket revenue will benefit The Saint Damien Hospital Foundation. Filmmakers Special Guests are Will Agee, Olaf Hamelink, and Jennifer Rayno the Director, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund will be in attendance.
The Florida Premiere of The Most Dangerous Year (USA) Vlada Knowlton’s story of a group of Washington State families with transgender kids who joined the fight, in 2016, against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation that swept the nation and their home state. The film is co-sponsored by OutShine Film Festival, a 501(c)3 organization who will receive 50% of the ticket sales.
The East Coast Premiere of Turning Point will benefit The Walk To End Alzheimers. Director James Keach, the brother of actor Stacy Keach, will attend. James also directed the Oscar nominated film Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.
World Premieres include: Cruel Hearts starring Transparent‘s Melora Hardin and Ocean’s Eleven’s Eddie Jemison in writer/director Paul Osborne’s thriller. Extraordinary: The Seeding, Jon Sample and Jack Roth’s riveting documentary of an alien hybrid program that may actually exist.
U.S. Premieres include: The Bromley Boys (UK) Steve Kelly’s funny yet touching coming-of-age football memoir. Diane is the Right Shape (France) stars Clotilde Hesme in Fabien Gorgeart’s dramedy about a surrogate mother for a gay couple. Eternal Winter (Hungary), Attila Szász true story of an unlikely romance in a Soviet labor camp. Just Believe (Italy), Alessandro Aronadio’s, comedy of a business owner who must establish his own religion to create a tax free operation. Les Ex (France), Maurice Barthélémy’s comedy about five couples who take stock of their past relationships. Marisa in The Woods (Spain), Antonio Morales’ dramedy stars Patricia Jordá as a woman who feels that she’s taken a supporting role in her own life. Quanto Basta (Italy), Francesco Falaschi’s warm comedy about a chef whose life is changed after assigned to teach cooking to students with Asperger’s syndrome.
East Coast Premieres include: The Unicorn, Robert Schwartzman’s (Dreamland) “cleverly crafted” three-some comedy. Hurley (USA), Derek Dodge’s documentary about racing legend Hurley Haywood speaks for the first time about being gay in the 1970’s macho world of motor sports. Meant to Be Broken, Jonathan Zuck’s dark comedy about an unlikely trio on a crazy law breaking journey that culminates in Miami. Rescue Under Fire (Spain), Adolfo Martínez Pérez’ action adventure based on the true story of Spanish troops attempting to rescue a U.S. helicopter crew in Afghanistan. Spitak (Armenia/Russia), Alexander Kott’s action-drama of a man searching for his family in the very epicenter of the earthquake. Volcano (Ukraine), Director Roman Bondarchuk’s surreal black comedy about a translator stranded in a strange, little Ukraine Steppes town.
Southeast Premieres include: Abdel and the Countess (France) Isabel Doval’s comedy about a widowed Countess who befriends a young man from the hood to help save her legacy. Born Just Now, Robert Adanto’s an intimate look at Belgrade-based artist Marta Jovanović. Driver (Israel) Yehonatan Indursky’s comic-drama about a sham artist and his daughter in an ultra-Orthodox community. Jumpman (Russian Federation), Ivan I. Tverdovsky’s thriller about a young man with a rare condition – he feels no pain. Letter from Masanjia (Canada – China) Leon Lee’s intense documentary of a political prisoner’s SOS letter that led to labor reform in China. Monger (Argentina), Jeff Zorrilla’s incredible journey into the world of sex tourism in Buenos Aires. Normandie Nue (France), Phillipe Le Guay’s (Women On The 6th Floor) comedy of a photo opportunity for a town of 300. The catch is… they all have to be naked. Once Upon a Time in November (Poland), Andrzej Jakimowski’s drama of a mother and son’s struggle to find a safe place in a homeless shelter. A Polar Year (Denmark) Samuel Collardey’s unique comedy, where actors play themselves in a recreated story. Parkland: Inside Building 12, Charlie Minn’s striking documentary told through interviews and real-life footage. Reinventing Rosalee, Dr. Lillian Glass’ inspiring documentary featuring her mom Rosalee a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives life to the fullest. Sarah Q, John A. Gallagher’s dramedy of a small-town girl who moves to New York to become an actress. Smuggling Hendrix (Cypress) Marios Piperides award-winning comedic love story of a man on a mission to retrieve his dog from across the Turkish border. Song of Back and Neck, ‘The Office’ actor Paul Lieberstein’s comedic take on his history with back pain and curbed anger. The Unafraid, Anayansi Prado’s & Heather Courtney’s inspiring portrayal of the brave young people fighting back in difficult times.
Florida Premieres include: American First: The Legacy of a Raid (USA) Almudena Toral’s & Andrea Patiño Contreras’s documentary of the largest immigration worksite raid in U.S. History. The Art and Times of Frosty Myers (USA), Chris Stearns’ portrait of the sculptor best known for his 1969 “Moon Museum” and 1973 “The Wall” in SoHo. The Beginner (Germany), Alexandra Sell’s charmingly comic tale of a woman who attempts her dream of being a figure skater at age 58. Kent Jones’ award-winning Diane, starring Mary Kay Place in her most powerful performance of her career. Hatchback, Eric Sheffield’s quirky comedy of a journalist, that helps a mysterious girl find her long-lost dad. Cracking Aces (USA) H. James Gilmore documentary of the pioneering women of professional poker. Fiddlin’ (USA), Julie Simone takes us to the World’s Oldest Fiddler’s Convention. Hope’s Mission (Florida), Richard Jacksons’ documentary of a mother who risks everything to save her 3 children. Living on a Dollar a Day (USA), Thomas Nazario’s moving story of people around the world who survive on a dollar or less each day. Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct (USA) Cady McClain’s documentary includes interviews and clips from women directors. Snowbirds (Canada) from Joannie Lafrenière offers a glimpse into the French Canadian tourists who descend upon Hollywood, Florida each winter.
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Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Announces 2014 Film Festival Lineup; Opens with “Lucky Stiff” Starring Jason Alexander
Actor Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame, will be honored with the Career Achievement Award on Friday, November 7 at the 29th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) Opening Night film, the East Coast Premiere of Lucky Stiff, in which he stars with Pamela Shaw (also attending). Lucky Stiff marks the first time the festival debuts with a musical comedy. Directed by Christopher Ashley, the zany and fast-paced Lucky Stiff follows a down and out British shoe salesman who, in order to receive his inheritance of $6 million, must fulfill his deceased Uncle’s request of taking him for the best time of his “life” in Monte Carlo for a week of fun, sun, dancing, and gambling. Book writer/lyricist, Lynn Ahrens adapted her clever 1988 New York stage hit for the screen with additional songs written by her and composer Stephen Flaherty.
Selected as the Centerpiece Film, is the Southeast premiere of Frank vs God, a light-hearted, uplifting story of a former lawyer, David Frank. Unable to move past the loss of his wife, he had all but given up…that is until a tornado not only destroys his house but, takes his beloved dog Brutus. When the insurance company deems the loss an “act of God,” David becomes desperate and decides to serve God…with a lawsuit. In attendance are stars Henry Ian Cusick (TV hit series LOST) and director Stewart Schill.
FLiFF closes on Sunday, November 23, with the Southeast Premiere of dark comedy, Just Before I Go, the feature film directorial debut of actress Courteney Cox (Friends, Cougar Town). Seann William Scott (American Pie franchise) stars as Ted Morgan, who’s on the verge of giving up on life. Before he does, he decides to return to his hometown one last time to confront some old demons.
FLiFF line-up for the 2014 event will feature over 175 American Independent and World Cinema features, shorts and documentaries will premiere. The Sunshine Celluloid segment will highlight film by Florida talent. There are 34 World Premieres, 12 U.S Premieres, 27 East Coast and 16 Southeast.
Feature films on the lineup include the World premieres of Oro Verde (Switzerland) directed by Mohammed Soudani, Foreign Land (USA-Mexico) directed byRafi Girgis, Love Thy Nature ( USA-Brazil-Namibia-British Virgin Islands) directed by Sylvie Rokab , Every Child Counts ( Bahamas-Canada), directed by Wendy Loten.
U.S Premieres include Arabani (Israel) directed by Adi Adwan, Lost in Karastan (Georgia) directed by Ben Hopkins, La Casa Ausente (The Absent House), (Puerto Rico-USA-Switzerland) directed by Rubén Abruña, Non Present Time (Lithuania) directed by Mykolas Vildziunas and Papita, Mani & Toston (Venzuela) directed by Luis Carlos Hueck.
East Coast Premieres include Gone Doggy Gone (USA) directed by Kasi Brown & Brandon Walter, Healing (Australia) directed by Craig Monahan, FLiFF’s opener Lucky Stiff (USA) directed by Christopher Ashley, Sombras de Azul (Cuba-Mexico-USA) directed by Kelly Daniela Norris.
Southeast Premieres include: Centerpiece Film Frank vs God (USA) directed by Stewart Schill, Amka and the Three Golden Rules (Mongolia) directed by Babar Ahmed, Human Capital (Italy) directed by Paola Virzi, Charlie’s Country (Australia) directed by Rolf de Heer, Inside Out: The People’s Art Project, (France-Israel-Abu Dhabi-USA) directed by Alastair Siddons, Jersey Shore Massacre (USA) directed by Paul Tarnpool, FLiFF’s closer Just Before I Go (USA) directed by Courtney Cox, Manos Sucias (Colombia) / directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka. Shunned (Philippines/USA) directed by Janice Villarosa, Two Bit Waltz (USA) directed by Clara Mamet, and Traitors (Morroco) directed by Sean Gullette.
The Southeast Premiere of director Paulo Virzi’s Human Capital, the Italian Candidate for the Foreign Language Oscar 2015, is a slick, stylish drama about the destinies of two families irrevocably tied together after a cyclist is hit by a jeep the night before Christmas Eve.
The Florida premiere of The Imitation Game features Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley in the a historical thriller about Alan Turing, a genius who pioneered modern-day computing and is credited with cracking the German Enigma code. However, Turing was prosecuted for homosexual acts which The U.K deemed illegal in 1952.
Big In Japan, from director John Jeffcoat, a semi-fictionalized rock ‘n roll road movie, featuring the band Tennis Pro, is based loosely on actual events and told with rollicking humor with a fresh narrative approach and guerrilla production style.
Director Sean Gullette attends the Southeast Premiere of his film, Traitors. Tangiers is the launching pad for this intoxicating, slick suspense ride into desperation and ambition.
The Salvation, a Florida Premiere directed by Kristian Levring, stars Mads Mikkelsen (The Hunt) as a peaceful American settler who revenges his family’s murder in this Danish western which is just as compelling as Eastwood’s Unforgiven.
Under The Same Sun, is the story of two businessmen – one Palestinian and one Israeli – who struggle to set up a solar energy company to communities in the Palestinian territories. The film was produced by Amir Harel, an Oscar nominated Israeli producer for Paradise Now, and directed by Sameh Zoabi, a leading Palestinian film-maker.
Directed by Alexandre Coffre, The Volcano, is a fun, fast moving comedy starring Danny Boon and Valerie Bonneton as two divorcees who must swallow their pathological hatred for each other and hit the road together if they are to make it in time to their daughter’s wedding. The Southeast premiere is an extension of French Week.
Winter Sleep took the 2014 Cannes Film Festival’s coveted Palme d’Or. The richly engrossing and ravishingly beautiful Turkish drama, directed by Nuri Bilge, is about three people with marital issues whose animosities are fueled when they are inescapably isolated in a small mountain hotel as the snow begins to fall.
Fascinating Documentaries include: An Honest Liar, directed by Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom, is about deception and the life of world-famous magician, escape artist and master skeptic, James ‘The Amazing’ Randi.
The South Florida Premiere of Shunned, from Filipino-American director Janice Villarosa, is a no holds barred look into the lives of transsexuals (male to female), in the Philippines. The film documents the rejection and attacks of violence within the society and transition to what it takes to be a woman.
FLiFF hosts the Florida Premieres of two documentaries with a focus on remarkable women.The Empowerment Project: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things is the incredible journey of 5 female filmmakers driving across America to encourage, empower, and inspire the next generation of strong women to go after their career ambitions. Director Sarah Moshman and executive producer will attend. I know a Woman Like That, directed by Elaine Madsen and produced by daughter/actress Virginia Madsen, features interviews with extraordinary women over the age of sixty-five.
Sammy: The Journey is the incredible story of child Holocaust survivor, Sam Harris, the instrumental force behind the building of the 65,000 square foot Illinois Holocaust Museum and Educational Center, of which he is President Emeritus.
FLiFF premieres several ambitious Florida films. Among them are: Short film, Tom In America, directed by Flavio Alves stars Oscar nominees, Burt Young and Sally Kirkland. The foundation of a 50 year marriage is rocked when the husband confesses to being gay. The film marks the first time Burt Young, from the Rocky franchise, has played a gay man in his career.
City of Memory by local filmmaker, director Robert Adanto and producer Gabriel Tyner, explores the ways in which the cataclysmic events in the wake of Hurricane Katrina became imprinted on the memory of the visual artists who lived through them. Adanto and Tyner head the Film & TV program at University School of Nova Southeastern University.
The Art of Community, directed by Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale film professor, Tas Salini, looks at a unique initiative led by the Community Foundation of Broward in bringing people together through civic engagements and by utilizing the arts in solving issues and problems important to the communities.
The first of two shorts in FLiFF’s Salute To Veteran’s special program is Rudy +Neil Go Fishing, directed by Abigail Tannebaum Sharon, and filmed in the Everglades, Aventura and Davie. The short doc is a touching story about Neil – a hairdresser and tournament fisherman, and Rudy, a U.S. soldier with PTSD who go fishing for therapy. The second short doc, And Great Showers of Tears Came Down, by Miami filmmaker, Dalton Narine, underscores themes about spirituality, suffering and fate, as a Marine’s tough slog in Vietnam attests to horrific experiences.
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Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Unveils 2013 Lineup; Open with FREE RIDE and Closes with WALKING WITH THE ENEMY
Mark Schmidt’s WALKING WITH THE ENEMY Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF) revealed the official line-up of over 175 American Independent films and World Cinema for the 28th annual event, October 18 to November 11, 2013. The festival opens on October 18 with the Southeast Premiere of FREE RIDE. Actress, Anna Paquin, who won the Oscar® for her role in The Piano and writer/director, Shana Betz, will be in attendance. Free Ride is Betz directorial debut and is based on her childhood in Fort Lauderdale. October 18 also happens to be her birthday. In Free Ride, Paquin stars as a single mom caught up in the Florida drug trade during the late 1970s while trying to make a better life for her two girls.
FLiFF’s Centerpiece Film (on November 5) is the Florida Premiere of the sophisticated comedy GARIBALDI’S LOVERS, an entry from Italy-Switzerland. The contemporary love story is a vibrant ride through a magical vision of metropolitan Italy, while at the same time casting a critical eye on modern life in the city. Widowed plumber Leo is struggling to deal with the growing pains of his two adolescent children, when his life intersects with penniless artist Diana and her eccentric landlord Amanzio. Through a hilarious series of coincidences, they give each other new hope for their futures – and for the city itself, so emblematic of our times.
FLiFF’s Closing Night Film on November 10 is the Southeast Premiere of Mark Schmidt’s WALKING WITH THE ENEMY, an unforgettable film of love, war, and sacrifice, which is sure to inspire and touch audiences. Starring Hannah Tointon and Jonas Armstrong, who are expected to attend, Walking with the Enemy is based on a true story and heroic life of a young man swept up in the horrors of WWII. Separated from his family during the German invasion and occupation of Hungary, he is determined to find them and be reunited. Aided by the woman he loves, he disguises himself as a Nazi SS Officer and uncovers the truth of Hitler’s ‘final solution.’ In a race against time to save his family and thousands of others, he embarks on a journey filled with suspense and danger.
FLiFF will honor Anna Paquin, star of Free Ride, and Lea Thompson,star of The Trouble with the Truth, with Career Achievement Awards at the screening of their films. Tab Hunter, Ed Asner and Ann-Margret will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at special events paying tribute to their luminary careers in film. This year the Star on the Horizon Award will be presented to two incredibly talented actors, Hannah Tointon and Jonas Armstrong, who star in FLiFF’s closing night film. The FLiFF 2013 Vision Award will be presented to Ben Stassen, director ofAfrican Safari 3-D.
Some of the highlighted features this year include: John Well’s August: Osage County featuring an all-star cast including: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham. From the director of The Devil Wears Prada, Dave Frankel’s British comedy One Chance; The Florida Premieres of Mike Newell’s Great Expectations starring Jeremy Irvine, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter; From the director of Don Juan De Marco, Jeremy Levin, and the producers of the Academy Award winning movie, The Lives of Others, comes this charming and fun-filled romantic comedy Girl On A Bicycle. John Turteltaub’s Last Vegas starring four legends like you’ve never seen them before. Academy Award®-winners Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline portray childhood friends who relive their glory days when they throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single. Justin Chadwick’s Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography; Alexander Payne’s adventure of a father and son traveling Nebraska stars Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Bob Odenkirk and June Squibb; and Jim Hemphill’s feature The Trouble With Truth starring Lea Thompson.
World Premieres include (30): Arthur Luhn’s feature House Across The Street starring Eric Roberts (USA), Matthew White’s documentary The Upside Down Book(U.S./Germany/France), Jon Sumple’s fascinating extraterrestrial doc extraordinary:the stan romanek story, Kenneth Shapiro’s The Making of Great Voices Sing John Denver(USA), Gus Cantavero’s documentary A Drop of Water (Cambodia), Juana M. Frias’ short film 9 Birthdays (USA), Lisa Resnik’s short film 95 Decibels (USA), Marcus Wolf ‘s short film Abduction: A Love Story (USA), Scott Ross’ and Karl Beyer’s short film The Burning House (USA), Brian Bayerl’s short film The Case (USA-Japan), Aneel Ahmad Checkpost (Pakistan), Samuel and Luke Willis’ short film Freefall (USA), Rick Santese’ short film Forever (USA), Larelle Bossi’s short film The Game(Australia), Joe Pisciotta’s short film Human Nature (USA), H.W. Moss’ short film The Injuries to Tim Dale (USA), Maritza De Quesada’s short film I’d Rather Be Crazy Than Boring South Florida director, Jayce Bartok’s short film Jack and Paul (USA), Alyn Darnay’s feature Krissy Belle (USA-Florida), Mike Glier’s thriller The Last Hit(USA-Snshine Celluloid), John Rhee’s short film Letters (USA), Jon Bougher’s short documentary Mozayik (Haiti), Kareem Mortimer’s short film Passage (Bahamas), Thierry de Coster’s short film Prrreüte (Belgium), Chris Shimojima’s short film Pura Vida (Costa Rica), Neil Golin’s feature Run, Stinky, Run (USA-Florida), Amy French’s short film Side Effects of Barry (USA), Keary T. Cunningham’s short film Sleep: The Movie (Florida), Marcus Wolf’s short film Sock Monkey Stories (USA), Stéphane Everaert’s and Frédéric Mosbeux’s short film Stock Exchange (Belgium).
U.S. Premieres include (18): Ben Stassen’s ride of your life African Safari 3-D, ThierryGaytan’s documentary The Cocaine Route (Columbia/France), Darisha Beresford’s short film The Cutlass (Trinidad and Tobago), Pourya Azarbaijany’s feature Everything is Fine (Iran), Nathaniel Prince Lewis’ short film Frapper Avec Amour (The Bahamas), Andrzej Jakimowski’s feature The Geographer Drank His Globe Away (Poland), Sherese Robinson Lee’s short film If I Were A Bell (USA), Andrzej Jakimowski’sImagine (Poland), Natasha Merkulova’s and Alexey Chupov’s feature Intimate Parts(Russia), Agnes Obadia’s feature Josephine, Single & Fabulous (France), Josh Tanner’s short film The Landing (Australia), Christopher Payne’s feature Love Tomorrow starring English National Ballet Principal Cuban born Arionel Vargas (UK), Momcilo Mrdakovic’s comedy Mamarosh (Serbia/Germany/Hungary), Johnny Vong’s short film The Marvelous Girl (Canada), Charles Wilkinson’s documentary Oil Sands Karaoke (Canada), Mark Lobatto’s short film Silent Treatment (UK), Antonin Svoboda’s docu-drama The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich (Austria), Laurent Tuel’s feature Tour de Force (France).
East Coast Premieres include (21): Richard E. Stark’s short film 30-Love, Miranda Bailey’s short film Another Happy Anniversary , Stephen Cone’s feature Black Box(Russia), Alexey Fedorchenko’s feature Celestial Wives of the Meadow Mari(Russia), Norry Niven’s enchanting love store Chasing Shakespeare starring Danny Glover (USA) , Zak Forsman ‘s crime-thriller Down and Dangerous starring Judd Nelson (USA-Mexico), Gabriel Ochoa’s comedy El Amor No Es Lo Que Era (Love’s Not What it Used to Be/Spain), Mary Lambert’s documentary Fishing Pono: Living In Harmony with the Sea (Moloka’i Kaua’i, Hawai’i), Jerod Ra’Del Hollyfield, short film,Goodfriends (USA), Kim Noonan’s short film Heavy, Monty Miranda’s crime mysteryThe Insomniac starring John Heard, and Danny Trejo (USA), Matteo Pellegrini’s comedy Italian Movies (Italy), de la Vega’s short film Left (USA), Ronnie Cramer’s short film Living Legend, Alexandre Castagnetti’s romance feature Love is in The Air(Amour & Turbulences/France), Christina Hadjicharalambous’ & Radoslav Pavkovic’s comedy Loveless Zoritsa (Serbia-Poland-Cyprus-Greece), Ashley Pegg’s short film,Reflections (UK), Caddie Hastings’ & Ben Kopke’s short film Reunion, Akil DuPont’s short film Silhouettes (Florida), Staten Cousins-Roe’s short film, This Way Out (UK), Lydia B. Smith’s documentary Walking The Camino: Six Ways to Santiago (USA-Spain-France).
With Free Ride and Walking With the Enemy, Southeast Premieres include (7): Jerome Bonnell’s feature Just a Sigh starring Emanuelle Devos and Gabriel Byrn (France), Antonio Piazza’s feature Salvo (Italy), Paolo Virzì’s feature Tutti Santi Giorni (Every Blessed Day/Italy), Anne-Marie Etienne’s feature Under The Fig Tree(Sous le figuier/France), Richard Trank’s docu-drama The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers with voice overs Sandra Bullock as Golda Meir, Michael Douglas as Yitzhak Rabin, Leonard Nimoy as Levi Eshkol, Christoph Waltz as Menachem Begin (Israel).
Documentaries include: Emmy winning Producer/Director, Robyn Symon’s Behind the Blue Veil, is the first exclusive look behind the crisis in the Sahara and exposes the government corruption and neglect of an indigenous people who may be the best hope for defeating Islamic radicals in the region. Tim Phillips’ Lion Ark is a vivid behind the scenes account of the world’s ambitious animal rescue ever undertaken. Matthew VanDyke’s Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution features the story of the Syrian struggle for freedom. Danny Holguin & Juan Carlos Echeverria’s Interrupted Destinies (Destinos Interrumpidos) after 26 years, two men discover they were switched at birth. Samantha Grant’s A Fragile Trust tells the shocking story of Jayson Blair, the most infamous serial plagiarist of our time. Liam K. Smith’s Ian Harvie Superhero showcases the gender-bending comedian in his first stand-up comedy concert film.
Returning feature filmmakers include: Isaak James with his feature By Way of Homeabout family, friendship, love and the elusive American dream and Paul Osborne with his thriller Favor.
Films with local color include: Brit Primask’s documentary Taking Charge: The Pauly Cohen Story about big band era trumpeter who, at 91, has his own big band in South Florida; Daniel Griffith’s film They Came From The Swamp: The Films Of William Grefé relives the classic drive-in flicks, like Stanley and Mako: The Jaws of Death, by the Miami-born writer/director/producer; George Schellenger’s and marine wildlife artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey’s remarkable adventure documentary Tiger Shark Express.
FLiFF’s last day, November 11, salutes our veterans and active duty service men and women with free admission to screenings, including the Florida Premiere of theUnclaimed. This documentary, about a missing U.S. Serviceman who was discovered living in Vietnam decades after the war, will be preceded by two veteran themed short films, The Case and The Letter.
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Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Unveils New Website
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Opening Night film – About Fifty[/caption]The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has unveiled its new website design just in time for the 26th edition which runs October 21 – November 11, 2011
The festival kicks off with the film, About Fifty, previously titled Fifty Nothing, directed by Thomas Johnston. The film is described as “A “coming-of-age story about the coming of age,” Thomas Johnston’s comedy tackles a very timely subject in these times of aging baby-boomers: what happens when youth, with all its attendant hopes and dreams, is confronted by the reality of that 50th birthday making its increasingly rapid approach. For Adam (Martin Grey) and Jon (co-writer Drew Pillsbury), life in Los Angeles has taken a turn for the melancholy. With their careers solidly stuck in holding patterns, parents that are becoming increasingly in need of care, and the memories of lost love and divided assets looming large, our heroes decide on a course of action: escape. To the desert, that is, for a weekend of battery recharging in lovely Palm Springs, no less. Rather than spoil things by revealing too much, we will just say that—in the tradition of the best road-movie comedies—what starts out as fun and games soon evolves, as both men must come to terms with their pasts and look forward, however horrifying it may appear at first glance, to a post-50 future.”
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Jane Russell to receive Lifetime Achievement in Acting Award from Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Actress Jane Russell will be honored with The Lifetime Achievement Award by Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The event is SOLD OUT.
