JOHN CUSACK WILL APPEAR (LIKELY WITHOUT A BOOMBOX) AT A SPECIAL EVENT ON FRIDAY, APRIL 21, DURING THE FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL FOR A SCREENING OF THE 1989 FILM, "SAY ANYTHING"

NOTE: Bungalower Buddy members can present their keychains at the box office to unlock a bag of free popcorn at Enzian Film Festival screenings.

The Florida Film Festival (Website) has just announced the program lineup for its 32nd Annual Fest, running April 14-23, which will be hosted in Maitland and Winter Park, Florida. This year, the Festival will screen over 160 films alongside some first-class events where film lovers can rub elbows with filmmakers and celebrities.

The Florida Film Festival is one of only a handful of Oscar-qualifying festivals in the country in all three shorts categories: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Subject.

Click HERE for the full event calendar or to purchase tickets.

This year’s event programming includes:

EVENTS

Opening Night Party – Celebrate the opening night of the 2023 Florida Film Festival on Friday, April 14, with the premiere of an exciting new movie that is sure to set the world on fire: You Were My First Boyfriend, made by Winter Park’s own Cecilia Aldarondo (2021 Grand Jury Award winner for Landfall) and co-director Sarah Enid Hagey. Following the film, head over to the Winter Park Events Center’s Tiedtke Amphitheater and Belvedere for the legendary annual Opening Night Party. Kick off the ten days of motion picture madness with cocktails and cuisine provided by your favorite local spots.

  • FilmYou Were My First Boyfriend preceded by “The Greatest Poem” 
    7-9 p.m. at Enzian Theater, 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
  • Party
    8:30 p.m.-midnight at the Tiedtke Amphitheater and Belvedere, Winter Park Events Center, 1050 W. Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789

Sunday Brunch – Sponsored by Coterie Coffee Co.
Sunday, April 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Enzian & Eden Bar

Sip some coffee and spill some tea with your friends on all things Florida Film Festival. Relax and enjoy a deliciously prepared brunch with endless roasted coffee all morning. No movie ticket is necessary. 

Tuesday Tasting – Sponsored by Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
Tuesday, April 18, 6-8 p.m. FREE and open to the public at the Eden Bar, 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751

Join us on Tuesday for a sampling of some of Orlando’s best beer, provided by Ivanhoe Park Brewing. Get a taste of their locally produced offerings; then order a pint before kicking back at a table or heading into your next film. 

Filmmaker Welcome Party – Sponsored by Full Sail University 
Thursday, April 20, 8-11 p.m. by Invitation Only. Sanford Brewing Company,160 Independence Lane, Suite B, Maitland, FL 32751

Any night is a good night if it’s brought to you by Full Sail University, and this yearly event is especially anticipated as we welcome visiting filmmakers and share a little of the festival’s legendary hospitality. Get ready to bring home the closing weekend of the Florida Film Festival and add some fun to your Thursday night with complimentary light bites and your first drink free at Sanford Brewing Company.

Industry Happy Hour
Friday, April 21, 8 p.m.-midnight by Invitation Only. Copper Rocket, 106 Lake Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751

Filmmakers and pass holders, join us at Copper Rocket for an Industry Happy Hour. Show your festival pass at the bar to receive happy hour pricing all night long. Challenge your new friends in a friendly trivia competition and cheer them on as they battle over who has the best go-to karaoke song.

Awards Brunch
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sponsored by Hannibal’s on the Square
$25 Advance/$30 Day-of at Hannibal’s on the Square, 511 W. New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789

Enjoy a delicious light brunch and mimosas as Florida Film Festival jury and audience awards are celebrated, culminating ten days of film, food, and friends. Congratulate winning filmmakers and raise a glass with festival pals—old and new. With music provided by Soul Reply, this festive brunch is one you don’t want to miss. 

Live Music at Eden Bar
Sponsored by Dorman Financial Management in partnership with Performing Arts Matter
Free and open to the public. Weekends 11 a.m.–9 p.m. TBD. Weekdays 6–9 p.m. at Eden Bar, 1300 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751

Eden Bar’s lush Old Florida atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop to relax, indulge, and discuss your favorite festival films, with daily live music at Eden Bar. 

Forums
All Festival Forums are free and open to the public.

A Peek Behind the Pixels–A Conversation with Industry Leaders in Virtual Production 
Wednesday, April 19 at Noon-1 p.m. at Full Sail University, Building 4D, 517 S. Semoran Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32792

Hear from leading industry experts as they discuss the burgeoning realm of virtual production, and its wide array of functionality in weaving cutting-edge gaming technology with visual storytelling to create some of today’s most notable projects. From HBO’s House of the Dragon, feature films, and commercial projects; to gaming’s valuable role in this field and more, learn how these leaders are utilizing virtual production, and where they see it headed in the future. This array of panelists, moderated by Rick Ramsey (Education Director, Visual Arts, Full Sail University), includes Caris Baker (Senior Technical Artist at Unity Technologies), Stephen Beres (Vice President, Media & Production Operations, HBO), Culley Bunker (Owner, Skulley Effects), and Brody Ramsey (Senior ICVFX Supervisor at Vū Technologies (tentative)).

Queering the Screen: The Progression of Representation 
Thursday, April 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Edyth Bush Theatre at Winter Park Public Library, 1052 W. Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789

Each year the Florida Film Festival features dozens of films reflecting queer subject matter or made by queer creators. This year, we sit down with a group of these filmmakers to talk about the past, present, and future of representation in media. How far have we come? Where do we go from here? Featuring Greetings from Queertown: Orlando’s Jess Keller (director), Rick Todd (producer and Watermark owner/publisher), Egghead & Twinkie’s Sarah Kambe Holland, and “Evan Ever After’s” Ariel Mahler and Radha Mehta.

Filmmaker Forum
Friday, April 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Edyth Bush Theatre at Winter Park Public Library, 1052 W. Morse Boulevard, Winter Park, FL 32789

The Florida Film Festival hosts some of the most talented new independent filmmakers every year, and always sets aside one day just to pick their brains. This lively and dynamic exchange of ideas and know-how inevitably defines a high point in the festival—peppered with tales of triumph, challenge, and creative methods. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime airing of artistic laundry by the filmmakers who get the job done. Moderated by Enzian/Florida Film Festival Programming Coordinator Tim Anderson.

An Evening with John Cusack, featuring Say Anything – Friday, April 21, 8-11 p.m. at Enzian

Say Anything – Directed by Cameron Crowe, USA, 1989, 100 MIN, Rated PG-13

SPOTLIGHT FILMS

  • BlackBerry -Directed by Matt Johnson, Canada, 2023, 121 MIN. East Coast Premiere
  • Flamin’ Hot – Directed by Eva Longoria, USA, 2023, 99 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles.
  • Follow Her – Directed by Sylvia Caminer. USA, 2022, 94 MIN.
  • It’s Only Life After All – Directed by Alexandria Bombach.USA, 2023, 123 MIN. Florida Premiere
  • Judy Blume Forever – Directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok. USA, 2023, 97 MIN.
  • Kokomo City – Directed by D. Smith. USA, 2023, 73 MIN.
  • Master Gardener – Directed by Paul Schrader. USA, 2022, 110 MIN, Rated R.
  • Mavka: The Forest Song – Directed by Oleg Malamuzh and Oleksandra Ruban. Ukraine, 2023, 90 MIN. In English. Southeast Premiere.
  • My Love Affair with Marriage – Directed by Signe Baumane. USA/Latvia/Luxembourg, 2022, 108 MIN.
  • Polite Society – Directed by Nida Manzoor. UK, 2023, 103 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Sanctuary – Directed by Zachary Wigon, USA, 2022, 96 MIN.
  • Somewhere in Queens – Directed by Ray Romano. USA, 2022, 106 MIN.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

  • Opening Night Film You Were My First Boyfriend – Directed by Cecilia Aldarondo and Sarah Enid Hagey. USA, 2023, 97 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening. Preceded by The Greatest Poem – Directed by Elyse Kelly. USA, 2022, 3 MIN. Southeast Premiere.

MUSIC FILMS

  • The Elephant 6 Recording Co. – Directed by C.B. Stockfleth. USA, 2022, 93 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) – Directed by Anton Corbijn. UK, 2023, 96 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • The Zombies: Hung Up on a Dream – Directed by Robert Schwartzman. USA, 2023, 116 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Closing Night Retro FilmFantastic Planet -Directed by René Laloux. France/Czechoslovakia, 1973, 72 MIN. In French and Czech with English subtitles.

FLORIDA FILMS

  • DID I? – Directed by Sarah Tice. USA, 2023, 100 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Greetings from Queertown: Orlando – Directed by Jess Keller. USA, 2023, 49 MIN. World Premiere. Preceded by Evan Ever After – Directed by Ariel Mahler and Radha Mehta. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Naked Gardens – Directed by Ivete Raquel Lucas and Patrick Xavier Bresnan. USA, 2022, 90 MIN.

Sunshine & Swampland:
New Florida Shorts, Volume 1

Total Running Time: 92 MIN. Sunshine & Swampland was born to celebrate all the things that filmmakers find unique about life here amongst the heat and humidity. This year, we had so much incredible content we created two diverse programs to showcase filmmakers we believe best exemplify the future of filmmaking in Florida. From invasive species in the Everglades and celebrating the beauty of the human body’s various shapes and sizes amongst the springs, to the need for prison reform; struggles with mental health, overbearing mothers, artists and muses; and maybe even a werewolf, there are a lot of stories in the Sunshine State, and we’re thrilled to bring you these.

  • Python Huntress – Directed by Nicholas Orris and Matt Deblinger. USA, 2023, 19 MIN. 2nd US Screening.
  • Like the Girls Who Wear Pink – Directed by Jennifer Msumba. USA, 2022, 6 MIN.
  • Make Up Your Mind – Directed by Hayley Nash. USA, 2022, 14 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Un-Portalable! – Directed by Ira Klages. USA, 2023, 5 MIN.
  • Tomb of the Sea – Directed by Andrew Garcia. USA, 2023, 17 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. 2nd US Screening.
  • 1402 Pork n’ Bean Blue – Directed by Juan Luis Matos. USA, 2023, 7 MIN.
  • Nash – Directed by Tim Warren. USA, 2022, 12 MIN. US Premiere.
  • Made by God – Directed by Wyatt Weymouth. USA, 2022, 12 MIN. Florida Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Sunshine & Swampland: New Florida Shorts, Volume 2 – Total Running Time: 89 MIN
  • Carmen – Directed by Cristine Brache. USA/Canada, 2023, 14 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. 2nd US Screening.
  • Alexandra McGee – Directed by Nicole Cone. USA, 2023, 12 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Goodbye Tallahassee, I Hope You Understand… – Directed by Bretton A. Miller. USA, 2023, 9 MIN. World Premiere.
  • From Fish to Moon – Directed by Kevin Contento. USA, 2022, 13 MIN.
  • How to Carry Water – Directed by Sasha Wortzel. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. East Coast Premiere
  • U.S.A. Vacation – Directed by Xavier Francisco Serrano. USA, 2023, 6 MIN. In English and French with English subtitles. World Premiere.
  • Two Strikes – Directed by Ursula Liang. USA, 2023, 20 MIN. World Premiere.

SUNSPOTS: NEW VISIONS OF THE AVANT-GARDE

Total Running Time: 82 MIN -The latest treasures of the experimental film and video world are here to cleanse your cinematic palette! Journey into the warped minds of award-winning artists, who are pushing the boundaries of film language and technique as they explore the mysteries of memory, identity, and the body. Film portraits and video essays will reframe your perspective, while abstract, sensory adventures delight any viewer brave enough to venture this close to the sun. 

  • Grillz & Mirrors– Directed by Michael U. Olowu. USA, 2023, 4 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Bigger on the Inside – Directed by Angelo Madsen Minax. USA, 2022, 12 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • A Perfect Storm – Directed by Karel Doing. Netherlands/UK, 2022, 3 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Jill, Uncredited – Directed by Anthony Ing. Canada/UK, 2022, 18 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Forward Fast – Directed by Lorraine Sovern. USA, 2023, 3 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Picture a Forest – Directed by Dave Rodriguez. USA, 2023, 4 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Continental Drifts – Directed by Georg Koszulinski. USA, 2022, 11 MIN.
  • Empire of My Melodious Mind – Directed by Jeannette Louie. USA, 2022, 9 MIN. In English and Cantonese with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Phase II – Directed by Kelly L. Sears. USA, 2022, 6 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Sunflower Siege Engine – Directed by Sky Hopinka. USA, 2023, 12 MIN. Florida Premiere.

MIDNIGHT MOVIES

  • The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster – Directed by Bomani J. Story. USA, 2023, 91 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Brooklyn 45 – Directed by Ted Geoghegan. USA, 2023, 92 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Moon Garden – Directed by Ryan Stevens Harris. USA, 2022, 93 MIN.
  • Sisu – Directed by Jalmari Helander. Finland, 2022, 91 MIN.In English and Finnish with English subtitles. US Premiere.

MIDNIGHT SHORTS

Total Running Time: 95 MIN – Midnight Shorts has always been a party at ground zero! A homecoming to unleash the freaks. This year, three Midnight Shorts legends return. Combined, these filmmakers have screened 16 films at the Florida Film Festival, but lest you think we rest on well-earned laurels, a group of new deviants, featuring some fierce ladies, are showing up to give these veterans a run for their blood and bodily fluid-soaked money! Who will survive and what will be left of them?  Only one way to find out…

  • The Blood of the Dinosaurs -Directed by Joseph Badon. USA, 2021, 18 MIN.
  • Hairsucker – Directed by Michael Jones and Paddy Jessop. Australia, 2022, 4 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • In the Flesh – Directed by Daphne Gardner. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Pipes – Directed by Kilian Feusi, Jessica Meier, and Sujanth Ravichandran. Switzerland, 2022, 4 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Nurture – Directed by Sasha Argirov. Canada, 2022, 14 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Jelqing for Gains – Directed by T. Arthur Cottam. USA, 2022, 6 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Juice – Directed by Mona Keil. Germany, 2022, 5 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • We Forgot About the Zombies – Directed by Chris McInroy. USA, 2022, 4 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Hell Gig – Directed by Ella Gale. USA, 2022, 9 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Don’t Die on Me – Directed by Ori Goldberg. Israel, 2022, 3 MIN. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Content: The Lo-Fi Man – Directed by Brian Lonano and Blake Myers. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. Southeast Premiere.

INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE

  • Joyland – Directed by Saim Sadiq. Pakistan, 2022, 126 MIN. In Punjabi and Urdu with English subtitles.
  • Long Flat Balls “Broken Promises” – Directed by Harald Johan Zwart. Norway/Lithuania, 2022, 103 MIN. In Norwegian with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • OKAY! The ASD Band Film – Directed by Mark Bone. Canada, 2022, 86 minutes. Florida Premiere.
  • The Worst Ones – Directed by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret. France, 2022, 99 MIN. In French with English subtitles.

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS #1

Total Running Time: 104 MIN – International films exist because of borders; a film is only “foreign” when the viewer is foreign to the film. Although each film in this diverse program from seven countries is informed in part by the region in which it was produced, they all challenge the efficacy of borders themselves.

  • She is Oh Oh -Directed by Léa Reguillot. France, 2023, 9 MIN. In English and French with English subtitles. World Premiere.
  • Will You Look at Me – Directed by Shuli Huang. China/Italy, 2022, 20 MIN. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Florida Premiere.
  • Phlegm – Directed by Jan-David Bolt. Switzerland, 2021, 6 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Nice to See Your Face – Directed By Sun Namkoong. South Korea, 2022, 12 MIN. In Korean with English subtitles. North American Premiere.
  • Killing Ourselves – Directed by Maya Yadlin. Israel, 2022, 15 MIN. In Hebrew with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • 45th Parallel – Directed by Lawrence Abu Hamdan. UK, 2022, 15 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Island of Freedom – Directed by Petr Januschka. Czech Republic, 2022, 27 MIN. In Czech and Slovak with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.

INTERNATIONAL SHORTS #2

Total Running Time: 103 MIN – Showcasing seven stories from seven countries, International Shorts 2 prioritizes the experience of the individual—those forced into solitude, those who have finally found their place, and those whose sacrifices for others may come at the expense of their own identity. These films take an unflinching look at what it means to be seen, and ultimately prove that while the desire for connection is a global (and interspecies) one, what we must endure to find it will always be unique. 

  • Mika/2300 – Directed by Boaz Frankel and Omri Van-Essen. Israel, 2022, 18 MIN. In Hebrew and Thai with English subtitles. US Premiere.
  • Call Me Mommy -Directed by Tara Isidora O’Callaghan. Ireland, 2022, 15 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Thursday – Directed by Bren Cukier. Poland, 2023, 15 MIN. In Polish with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/2nd U.S. Screening.
  • Our Males and Females – Directed by Ahmad Alyaseer. Jordan, 2023, 11 MIN. In Arabic with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere.
  • It’s Raining Frogs Outside – Directed by Maria Estela Paiso. Philippines, 2021, 14 MIN. In English, Sambal, and Tagalog with English subtitles. Florida Premiere.
  • The Diamond – Directed by Vedran Rupic. Sweden, 2022, 14 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • It Turns Blue – Directed by Shadi Karamroudi. Iran/Greece, 2023, 15 MIN. In Persian with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/ 2nd US Screening.

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM

Total Running Time: 92 MIN – This global showcase is a wild ride of animated short works that illustrate the human experience in its many forms. The audience is invited to take a look through an alternate point of view and explore the connections between the internal and external self.

  • Roped (Amarradas) – Directed By Carmen Córdoba González. Spain, 2022, 10 MIN. North American Premiere.
  • Scale -Directed By Joseph Pierce. France/UK/Belgium/Czech Republic, 2022, 15 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Ecce – Directed By Margherita Premuroso. Italy, 2022, 7 MIN. North American Premiere.
  • Hotel Kalura – Directed By Sophie Koko Gate. UK, 2022, 5 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • La Bride (The Dog’s Leash) – Directed By Nicolas Piret. Belgium, 2022, 4 MIN. US Premiere.
  • Well Wishes My Love, Your Love – Directed by Gabriel Gabriel Garble. Sweden/Malaysia, 2022, 9 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Persona – Directed By Sujin Moon. South Korea, 2022, 7 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Zoon – Directed By Jonatan Schwenk. Germany, 2022, 4 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • In the Big Yard Inside the Teeny-Weeny Pocket – Directed by Yoko Yuki. Japan, 2022, 7 MIN. In Japanese with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Regular Rabbit – Directed by Eoin Duffy. Ireland/Canada, 2022, 8 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Sierra – Directed By Sander Joon. Estonia, 2022, 16 MIN. Florida Premiere.

COMPETITION SHORTS

SHORTS #1: “HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU”

Total Running Time: 95 MIN – There is a plethora of ways to show devotion. A lifetime shown only through the expressions on a woman’s face. Two sisters healing together after a loss. A woman’s appointment with America. A teen friendship tested by a dark secret. Cousins helping each other after years of absence. A woman’s quest to get her chair. A man rushing to aid his family without changing out of costume. All our stories have a type of devotion: sometimes material, sometimes emotional.

  • Gold and Mud – Directed by Conor Dooley. USA, 2023, 9 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Take Me Home – Directed by Liz Sargent. USA, 2023, 16 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • I Have No Tears, and I Must Cry – Directed by Luis Fernando Puente. USA, 2022, 13 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere.
  • A Real One – Directed by McKenzie Chinn. USA, 2023, 16 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Cousins – Directed by Karina Dandashi. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Two Chairs, Not One – Directed by Austin Kolodney. USA, 2022, 12 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Donkey – Directed by Matt Kazman. USA, 2023, 16 MIN. World Premiere.

SHORTS #2: “TIMES LIKE THESE”

Total Running Time: 97 MIN – Just when we think we have it all figured out, everything changes. Life is a puzzle with no solution. There’s no user manual, and if you ever manage to get a handle on how it all works, they change the rules on you. What are you going to do? You learn to live again.

  • Vertical Valor – Directed by Alex Kavutskiy. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • SAM – Directed by Jen Stafford and Ryan Thielen. USA, 2023, 12 MIN. World Premiere.
  • Kissy and the Shark – Directed by Lola Blanche. USA, 2022, 13 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Variations on a Theme – Directed by Peter Collins Campbell. USA, 2023, 7 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Black Santa – Directed by Travis Wood. USA, 2022, 10 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Yokelan, 66 – Directed by Tang Yi. USA, 2022, 10 MIN. In English and Cantonese with English subtitles. US Premiere.
  • Day Jobs – Directed by Stevie Wain and Auri Jackson. USA, 2022, 30 MIN. East Coast Premiere.

SHORTS #3: “TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG”

Total Running Time: 96 MIN – A woman afraid to dance. A man afraid to talk to women. A delivery driver’s unusual relationship with a customer. Two sisters battling grief in their own ways. A queer woman’s search for love. A mother/daughter battle for a ladder. A bad dad on his deathbed. All our films in this program have characters who have lived through something, and perhaps they’ve seen too much, done too much, too much too young.

  • Catching Spirits – Directed by Vanessa Beletic. USA, 2022, 13 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Hold to Dash – Directed by John Connor Hammond. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd U.S. Screening.
  • Starving – Directed by Bobby Louise and Brig. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Cold & Sara – Directed by Brenna Power. USA, 2023, 11 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Jelly Bean – Directed by Nessa Norich. USA, 2022, 14 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Sulam (Ladder) – Directed by Noam Argov. USA, 2023, 11 MIN. In English and Hebrew with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere/2nd U.S. Screening.
  • Passing Through – Directed by Erica Alexandria Silverman. USA, 2023, 19 MIN. World Premiere.

SHORTS #4: “GOT A HOLD ON ME”

Total Running Time: 92 MIN – Brace yourself. The films in this program are not concerned with comforting you; they’re here to grab you by the throat and shake all your preconceptions loose. It’s a daunting task, but if you can open your mind and put yourself in a vulnerable space, you might find yourself changed on the other side. Are you ready to see this world in a new way?

  • She’s Clean – Directed by Jenn Harris. USA, 2023, 15 MIN. North American Premiere.
  • Mahogany Drive – Directed by Jerah Milligan. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Tender – Directed by Samm Hodges. USA, 2023, 17 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd U.S. Screening
  • Lollygag – Directed by Tij D’oyen. USA, 2022, 10 MIN. In Greek with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Edvard Takes a Lover – Directed by Tom E. Brown. USA, 2022, 4 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Write a Song about Heartache – Directed by Jonny Look. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Play This at My Funeral – Directed by Ray Smiling. USA, 2022, 8 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Run Amok – Directed by Nitzan Mager. USA, 2023, 12 MIN. East Coast Premiere.

ANIMATED SHORTS:
“OVER, UNDER SIDEWAYS, DOWN”

Sponsored by Lure Design Inc.Total Running Time: 91 MIN – One of The Yardbirds’ greatest hits is the perfect description for the incredible diversity and breadth of artistry on display in this year’s mind-boggling edition of our domestic animated shorts program. West Coast transplants, last meals and regrets, angry balloon gods, the fumbly feelings of desire, a jaw-dropping variation on the Cain and Abel story, life lessons in the kitchen, life’s routine, a disturbing dog-walking ritual, survival of the fittest at lunchtime, and food and felonies are at the heart of this wide-ranging celebration of the best and brightest new animated works to cross our paths this year.

  • Welcome to 8th Street – Directed by Yoo Lee. USA, 2023, 7 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Ninety-Five Senses – Directed by Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess. USA, 2022, 13 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Baloney Beacon – Directed by Max Landman. USA, 2022, 5 MIN. Florida Theatrical Premiere.
  • fur – Directed by Zhen Li. USA, 2022, 7 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • The Voice in the Hollow – Directed by Miguel Ortega. USA/Colombia, 2023, 10 MIN. In Swahili with English subtitles. World Premiere.
  • Now I’m in the Kitchen – Directed by Yana Pan. USA/China, 2022, 5 MIN. In Mandarin with English subtitles. U.S. Premiere.
  • Menagerie – Directed by Jack Gray. USA, 2022, 4 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Ex Creta – Directed by Jon Portman. USA, 2022, 6 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • The Law of the Jungle Gym – Directed by Yoon Hei Cho. USA, 2022, 6 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Hardboiled – Directed by Peter Sluszka. USA, 2022, 28 MIN. Southeast Premiere.

COMPETITION FEATURES

  • The Artifice Girl – Directed by Franklin Ritch. USA, 2023, 93 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • The Duel – Directed by Justin Matthews and Luke Spencer Roberts. USA, 2023, 98 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • East Bay – Directed by Daniel Yoon. USA/Canada, 2022, 94 MIN. In English and Korean with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Egghead & Twinkie – Directed by Sarah Kambe Holland. USA, 2023, 87 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Know Your Place – Directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi. USA, 2022, 125 MIN. In English and Tigrinya with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere.
  • Me Little Me – Directed by Elizabeth Ayiku. USA, 2022, 84 MIN.
  • A Perfect Day for Caribou – Directed by Jeff Rutherford. USA, 2022, 95 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening.
  • Simón – Directed by Diego Vicentini. USA/Venezuela, 2023, 99 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. World Premiere.
  • Stay Awake – Directed by Jamie Sisley. USA, 2022, 94 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Unicorn Boy – Directed by Matt Kiel. USA, 2023, 91 MIN. East Coast Premiere.

COMPETITION DOCUMENTARIES

  • Bottle Conditioned – Directed by Jerry Franck. USA, 2023, 82 MIN. In English, French, and Flemish with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere. Preceded by Taste of the Indigenous – Directed by Josephine Bono. USA, 2022, 20 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Dusty & Stones – Directed by Jesse Rudoy. USA, 2022, 83 MIN. In English and SiSwati with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere. Preceded by Ampe: Leap into the Sky, Black Girl – Directed by Claudia Owusu and Ife Oluwamuyide. USA/Ghana, 2022, 18 MIN. In English and Twi with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Immediate Family – Directed by Denny Tedesco. USA, 2022, 101 MIN. Florida Premiere. Preceded by Really Good Friends – Directed by Adam Sekuler. USA, 2022, 10 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Liquor Store Dreams – Directed by So Yun Um. USA, 2022, 85 MIN. In English and Korean with English subtitles. Florida Premiere. Preceded by When the LAPD Blows Up Your Neighborhood – Directed by Nathan Truesdell. USA, 2022, 19 MIN. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Minnesota Mean – Directed by Dawn Mikkelson. USA, 2023, 81 MIN. East Coast Premiere/2nd US Screening. Preceded by Krush the Wrestler – Directed by Alex Megaro. USA, 2023, 14 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Out There: A National Parks Story – Directed by Brendan Hall. USA, 2023, 73 MIN. World Premiere. Preceded by From Dreams to Dust – Directed by Stephanie Tangkilisan and Muhammad Fadli. USA/Indonesia, 2022, 10 MIN. In Indonesian with English subtitles. Florida Premiere.
  • Racist Trees – Directed by Sara Newens and Mina T. Son. USA, 2022, 85 MIN. Southeast Premiere. Preceded by Parker – Directed by Catherine Hoffman and Sharon Liese. USA, 2023, 13 MIN. East Coast Premiere.
  • Space Happy: Phil Thomas Katt and the Uncharted Zone – Directed by Louis Crisitello. USA, 2023, 56 MIN. Florida Premiere. Preceded by Pony Boys. Directed by Eric Stange. USA, 2022, 25 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • They Called Him Mostly Harmless – Directed by Patricia E. Gillespie. USA, 2023, 89 MIN. World Premiere. Preceded by Creating Things – Directed by Bryan Simpson and Taylor Simpson. USA, 2022, 11 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • With Peter Bradley – Directed by Alex Rappoport. USA, 2023, 86 MIN. East Coast Premiere. Preceded by The Promise of Spring – Directed by Anna Andersen. USA, 2023, 14 MIN. World Premiere.

6X REAL

Total Running Time: 103 MIN – Each year, so many great documentary shorts come our way that it’s impossible to fit them all into opening slots for our documentary competition features. This outstanding feature-length “X Real” program was created to showcase some of our favorites. As we’ve seen numerous times in recent years with such films as “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” “A Concerto Is a Conversation,” and “How Do You Measure a Year?” don’t be surprised if these are being discussed come Oscar® time next year: they are that special and that good!

  • Barefoot Empress – Directed by Vikas Khanna. USA/India, 2022, 15 MIN. In Malayalam with English Subtitles. Southeast Premiere.
  • Breaking Silence – Directed by Amy Bench and Annie Silverstein. USA, 2023, 18 MIN. In English and ASL with English subtitles. East Coast Premiere.
  • Fleshwork – Directed by Lydia Cornett. USA, 2023, 7 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • CANS: Can’t Stand – Directed by Matt Nadel and Megan Plotka. USA, 2022, 19 MIN. Florida Premiere.
  • Margie Soudek’s Salt and Pepper Shakers – Directed by Meredith Moore. USA, 2023, 12 MIN. Southeast Premiere.
  • Imelda Is Not Alone – Directed by Paula Heredia. USA/El Salvador, 2023, 32 MIN. In Spanish with English subtitles. World Premiere

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