Writer/Director Dito Montiel and Executive Producer Sting Thursday, October 19---With the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival already in high gear, a number of special guests and VIPs are expected in town over the next few days, bringing some film star power to South Florida audiences. Tonight, writer/director Dito Montiel will be present at the screening of his debut film A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS. The film, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, was a d...

DIXIE CHICKS--SHUT UP AND SING Monday, October 16-----Although the official Opening Night is not until Friday, with the hugely anticipated screening of Pedro Almodovar’s VOLVER, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival actually began its ambitious program slate this evening, with a number of films being shown this week at the Festival’s year-round cinematheque, the Cinema Paradiso, as a preview of coming attractions. Screening on Monday evening was the hilarious mockumentary CHALK, ...

Friday, October 13---As the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival turns 21, and now can legally go out and drink some hard liquor, the Festival is celebrating with a series of parties. In fact, the Festival has a reputation on the festival circuit as being one of the most "party friendly", with a terrific array of indoor/outdoor venues that take advantage of the South Florida weather and beach atmosphere. This year, the Festival is pulling out all the stops....with a party schedule that...

The newest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, the hugely anticipated VOLVER, will open the 21st edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on October 20th at Fort Lauderdale's prestigious Parker Playhouse.VOLVER, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, was honored on the Croisette with a Best Screenplay award for its writer/director Pedro Almodóvar, and an unprecedented Best Actress award for the film's ensemble cast, including international sensations...

Saturday, October 7----The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, which this year celebrates its 21st edition as one of the most important venues in the US for independent and international cinema, has announced that its Centerpiece Film will be PITTSBURGH, a non-fiction comedy starring Jeff Goldblum, Illeana Douglas and Ed Begley Jr. The film will screen on Friday, November 3 at the historic Parker Playhouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The special event is followed by the Festival's "...

Thursday, October 5---The newest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, the hugely anticipated VOLVER, will open the 21st edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on October 20th at Fort Lauderdale's prestigious Parker Playhouse. VOLVER, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, was honored on the Croisette with a Best Screenplay award for its writer/director Pedro Almodóvar, and an unprecedented Best Actress award for the film's ensemble cast, includin...

Thursday, October 5----The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, officially listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the longest film festival in the world, is coming of age this year. For its 21st birthday (the same age when residents of the state of Florida can legally drink hard liquor and go to nightclubs where alcohol is served), the Festival is pulling out all the stops, with a program of peerless cinematic delights, special events, VIP guests and other celebrations that wil...

The Fort Lauderdale Film Festival concluded its 20th edition this past Sunday, with the announcement of its awards. The Festival, which has the distinction of being the longest in the world, running almost 40 days, had a year like none other; having survived a Category 3 Hurricane and a week of no electricity, phone service or internet connection.The Festival, which featured over 200 films, premiered on October 14 with the premiere of THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear. Closin...

A film festival is formidable enough. Hundreds of film prints moving, sometimes uneasily, from Point A to Point B. Thousands of demanding audience members to be pleased. Dozens of high maintenance invited filmmakers, sponsors and special guests to be accommodated. A film festival is, for its organizers, a hurricane unto itself.But what if your event, which takes a year of planning, cajoling, fundraising and sheer nerve, meets up with a true force of Nature….a Category 3 Hurricane that suspends...

FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALOctober 14 - November 20 2005The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival presents the most compelling and thought-provoking international films, host special tributes and seminars and introduces some of the greatest talents to South Florida audiences. The festival annually screens over 100 films from Boca Raton to Miami and is the longest film festival in the world. Considered one of the most important regional film festivals in the U.S., the Festiv...