Orlando Lens
I hope that, like me, you had a chance to enjoy a veritable cornucopia of film over the course of the Florida Film Festival. I, naturally, saw only half as many films as I would have liked to have seen, but as tends to happen with this particular Fest, many of the films reappear relatively quickly either at the Enzian, the multiplexes, or on Netflix. Mud is already scheduled to open in Orlando on the 26th, and my review will be posted next week. In the meantime you can either check out the Florida Film Festival winners or... plan your next Central Florida film festival trip. The Florida Film Festival is the biggest (and the bestival), but it's not the only chance you have each year to see non-Hollywood film. May I present... the restivals.
By Nicholas Ware
I hope that, like me, you had a chance to enjoy a veritable cornucopia of film over the course of the Florida Film Festival. I, naturally, saw only half as many films as I would have liked to have seen, but as tends to happen with this particular Fest, many of the films reappear relatively quickly either at the Enzian, the multiplexes, or on Netflix. Mud is already scheduled to open in Orlando on the 26th, and my review will be posted next week. In the meantime you can either check out the Florida Film Festival winners or... plan your next Central Florida film festival trip. The Florida Film Festival is the biggest (and the bestival), but it's not the only chance you have each year to see non-Hollywood film. May I present... the restivals.
- 15 Minutes of Fame Film Festival - May 17-18, 2013 - Palm Bay, FL -This shorts festival is held features films that are 15 minutes or less. This will be its fourth year and it was started by a local couple, Ray and Migdalia Etheridge, who serve on the festival judging panel as well. The 15 Minutes of Fame Film Festival is held twice a year.
- KidFest Summer Film-making Camp Graduation Film Festival - August 4, 2013 - Maitland, FL - While not a Film Festival in the traditional sense, KidFest is a summer camp for students entering grades 5th-8th the following fall and the young auteurs get a chance to show off their work at the end of summer. I attended a similar summer camp in my youth at the Alabama School of Math and Science between my 8th and 9th grade years, and I'm sure my musical parody The Sound of Hookers is still whispered about as legend to this day. Yes, I'm sure.
- Central Florida Film Festival - August 30-September 1, 2013 - Ocoee, FL - "Cenflo" has been around for almost nine years and occurs on or around Labor Day. It has a typical film festival line-up with narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and foreign films. This fest is still looking for some last-minute entries, if you're an aspiring (or done-made-it professional) film-maker.
- South Asian Film Festival - October, 2013 - Maitland, FL - The Enzian puts on several mini-festivals throughout the year, and the South Asian Film Festival is expected to appear on their calendar this coming October, if history is to be our guide. When it comes to Asian cinema, South Asia is usually overlooked in favor of China, Japan, and South Korea, so this festival will sure to uncover some hidden gems.
- Orlando Film Festival - October 16-20, 2013 - Orlando, FL - The Orlando Film Festival takes place in the Cobb Plaze Cinema Cafe 12, a very comfortable multiplex located downtown on Orange Ave. and is another narr-doc-shor-for film festival. This festival always has a good sense of fun and often features some really enjoyable and innovative genre pictures.
- Freakshow Horror Film Festival - October 25-27, 2013 - Orlando, FL - This horror-only film festival, which is held in the Doubletree Hotel Universal, is run by Spooky Empire, the Orlando-area horror fandom authority, and usually features some exciting-for-horror-fans celebrity guests. With a convention atmosphere, it's a great place to connect with other horror aficionados.
- Daytona Beach Film Festival - November, 2013 - Daytona Beach, FL - Though the exact dates haven't been announced yet, the Daytona Beach Film Festival is expected to return for its 11th year come November. I've never been to this fest, but the venue looks pretty cool. Can anyone shed some light on this one?
- Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase - November, 2013 - Maitland, FL - The Brouhaha is partly a culmination of the monthly Enzian-sponsored minifest FilmSlam, and partially an entity unto itself. The exact 2013 date hasn't been announced, but expect it right before Thanksgiving.
- Central Florida Jewish Film Festival - December, 2013 - Maitland, FL - Another Enzian joint, expect the 2013 Central Florida Jewish Film Festival on a weekend in early December. Make sure you call your mother before attending this one. She worries!
- Orlando Latin American Film & Heritage Festival - February 2014 - Orlando, FL - The OLA Fest is usually held in early February and celebrates one of Orlando's most vibrant and diverse ethnic communities. Via con cine, amigos.
- Love Your Shorts Festival - February 14-16, 2014 - Sanford, FL - Love Your Shorts, which saw coverage on this very site, returns to Sanford in February. Our own Deena is a big fan of this festival.