The 24th Annual Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival delivers

By Rachel Galvin

IndependentStreak.ning.com

As in previous years, the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival (FLIFF), now in its 24^th year, brings a wide variety of features, documentaries

and short subjects, as well as filmmakers from around the globe and celebrities. The festival, which opened Oct. 23, has proved an excellent networking tool for those in the film industry.

This year, the film showings are centrally located at Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, instead of being spread out. The festival has shrunk from five weeks to three, packing in as many films and parties as possible into one neat package.

The festival opened with the movie “TiMER,” directed by Jac Shaeffer and starring Jo Beth Williams. On the red carpet, in addition to Shaeffer, was legendary actor Kevin McCarthy, who stars in one of this year’s short films “I Do” and who was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the festival. McCarthy has been seen in over 200 films, including “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” Also receiving an award, this time for being Star on the Horizon, was Michelle Monaghan, who has been in films such as “Eagle Eye” and “Mission Impossible III.”

But those who missed the opening and the subsequent Starry, Starry Night Gala, held at the Signature Grand in Davie, can still see stars coming into our Sunshine State. Cinematographer Mario Tosi will receive an award for his lifetime of achievement on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. He is known for shooting such projects as “Carrie,” “Sybil” and “Macarthur.” Joyce DeWitt, best known for her role as Janet in “Three’s Company,” will appear for her film “Failing Better Now” on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Also on Oct. 29, Kevin Vincent will be on the red carpet for his film “Chicago Overcoat,” which is sold-out, but, by popular demand, has a second screening on Nov. 3 at 5:45 p.m. On Nov.1, Matthew Broderick, known for films like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Glory” and “War Games,” among others, will receive a Career Achievement Award at 6 p.m. before his sold-out movie

“Wonderful World.” These are just a few of the stars and filmmakers set to appear.

FLIFF has pulled out all the stops to bring in films made for everyone from heartwarming and heartbreaking documentaries like the superbly made “A Bridge Life: Finding Our Way Home” to the hilarious satire “Black Dynamite” as well as other dramas and comedies made for FLIFF audiences.

Besides international filmmakers, locals get their feet wet here through the Sunshine Celluloid category. “Rough Winds,” directed by Andrea Olabarria, will show Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. This tale, dealing with teen drama, peer pressure, suicide, homophobia and bulimia, is her first feature. Her short film “The Sinner,” was featured on Steven Spielburg’s “The Lot” and seen over 200,000 times in 2007.

Kids also can get in the act with Fab Films that are free for them! Oct. 31 is “Azur & Asmal,” an animated film shown at 10 a.m. Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. On Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., another free animation “Princess Lilifee” shows. Even after FLIFF wrap party (on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.), the Fab Films continue every Saturday of the month, including on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., when “Mission in Mocland” will show.

Cinema Paradiso heads to the dark side for Halloween (Oct. 31) with the showing of the short film “Smooth Operator,” directed by Alyn Darnay with “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” complete with Midnight Cinema Shadow Cast (10 p.m.), and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (midnight).

For more information on the festival schedule and the films being shown, as well as the numerous monthly activities ongoing at Cinema Paradiso throughout the year, visit www.fliff.com.

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2. FLIFF unveiled
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4. Locally filmed undead movie playing at Cinema Paradiso
5. Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale National Art Festival in January

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