Despite its being on the Florida coast, with sunshine and beautiful weather year-round, one of Fort Lauderdale’s biggest and most popular events takes place mostly indoors, in the dark.
Celebrating its 30th annual festival in 2015, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) is a non-profit cultural institution that presents American indies and studio films, international films, special tributes and seminars, and introduces industry leaders to South Florida audiences. The fall festival annually screens foreign and independent films in Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Hollywood, St Augustine, Amelia Island, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach and The Bahamas. Considered one of the most important regional film festivals in the U.S., the Festival’s commitment to first-time filmmakers and innovative programming make it the perfect test market for filmmakers.
FLIFF offers a vast array of works by some of today’s most promising independent and foreign filmmakers. The Festival showcases over 200 films from around the world and is considered one of the most important regional festivals in the U.S. A remarkable diversity of local, national and international films have screened to enthusiastic audiences. FLIFF unites industry leaders, filmmakers, journalists, students and film lovers during cutting-edge seminars, celebrity tributes and special event premieres.
Named one of the top destination film festivals in the United States by Movie Maker Magazine, FLIFF attracts stars from movies and TV, as well as independent filmmakers from around the world.
Here are some interesting facts about FLIFF:
- Highest Rated Film Festival in the State of Florida (Florida Arts Council).
- One of five Major Cultural Institutions (Broward Cultural Council).
- Only film festival in the South to receive four major grants from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- Winner of The Moretti Award for Artistic Excellence.
- Florida’s longest running film festival under the same direction (23 years).
- Named by Variety as one of the top hot festivals in the nation.
- Awarded the Golden Orange Award by The Florida Film Critics for service to Broward County following Hurricane Wilma.
- Biggest outreach program of any film festival in the state.
- Cinema Paradiso, FLIFF’s year-round art house, has been named Best Art Theatre in South Florida by New Times BPB, City Link and Boca Raton Magazine.
- Based on a study performed by The University of South Florida, FLIFF’s economic impact on Broward County is in excess of 20 million dollars.
For so many reasons, FLIFF – which runs November 6-22 – is the hottest ticket in town. To learn about planning a trip to Fort Lauderdale, or any of our other 40+ cinematic destinations, drop us a line at [email protected].