Of the films to be screened, 162 have premiere status, including 30 world premieres, and 15 films have direct connections to the Orlando region ranging from directors and producers to cast, crew and set locations.
Orlando plays a prominent supporting role in many of the films featured in the 29th annual Florida Film Festival (FFF). Originally scheduled for April, this year’s festival will screen more than 177 films representing 37 countries from August 7-20 at Enzian Theater, Central Florida’s full-time, not-for-profit alternative cinema.
The Orlando Film Commission is a proud returning sponsor of the only Oscar®-qualifying film festival in the state, specifically the Florida Sidebar series.
With the goal of marketing the Orlando region as an ideal filmmaking destination, the FFF continues to provide a strong platform from which to spread that message.
Sheena Fowler, Orlando Economic Partnership vice president of innovation and Orlando film commissioner
FFF is renowned for premiering the best in current, independent and international cinema. Of the films to be screened, 162 have premiere status, including 30 world premieres, and 15 films have direct connections to the Orlando region ranging from directors and producers to cast, crew and set locations.
Here are this year’s films with Orlando ties.
Surviving Supercon
The opening night film, Surviving Supercon is a feature-length documentary that showcases a behind the scenes look of how a “rag-tag mom and pop team pull off creating and operating one of the biggest pop culture conventions in the country.” The film has several ties to Orlando’s higher education ecosystem. Director Steven Shea graduated from Valencia College, attended UCF and has lectured at Full Sail University. The film’s Composer, Rob Reider, also attended UCF and lectured at Full Sail, while Camera Operators Chris McDaniel and TJ Webb both graduated from Full Sail and Colorist Ryan Shovey graduated from Valencia.
Boat Tour
Boat Tour, a short by animator Bernardo Britto, gives audiences a hysterical and unique perspective on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, which has been in operation since 1938, will also be screened opening night.
Landfall
Competing in the Documentary Features category, Landfall, a portrait of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane María, is directed by Winter Park High School alum Cecilia Aldarondo.
Chasing Ghosts
The entry in the Documentary Shorts Competition from Director Eric Bendick, originally from Winter Park, Chasing Ghosts was filmed in the Florida Everglades and focuses on a team of researchers and photographers studying the pollination of the ghost orchid.
The Shabbos Goy
Competing in the Narrative Shorts category, The Shabbos Goy is a comedy directed by Talia Osteen who is originally from Longwood, Fla.
Museum of Fleeting Wonders
Also competing in the Narrative Shorts Competition, Museum of Fleeting Wonders is directed by Full Sail University graduate Tomás Gómez Bustillo and features a collection of small and magical everyday moments inspired by real people’s stories.
Gilt
Gilt, a drama in the Narrative Shorts category, was filmed entirely in Polk County by Director April Nations, who is from Polk County.
Things Happen Because
This animated short was directed by UCF student Frank Volk and produced at UCF.
(You’ll Make it in) Florida
Part of the Sunshine & Swampland series of new Florida short films,(You’ll Make it in) Florida is an Epcot-inspired wild ride through the wonders of the Sunshine Stateshot in Orlando Sarasota and directed by UCF alum Phil Chernyak.
The Battle for the Bridge
Directed by Full Sail University alumni Sean Lane and Bryan Adams, The Battle for the Bridge was shot entirely in the Orlando region and focuses on the rivalry between the Seminole High School and DeLand High School football teams.
Egghead & Twinkie
Winner of the 2019 Brouhaha Grand Jury Award, Egghead & Twinkie is a UCF production directed by UCF student Sarah Holland and shot entirely in Orlando.
Is That All There Is?
A comedic documentary short, Is That All There Is? Was shot in Orlando and Miami.
My Body, Its Choice
My Body, Its Choice is a horror narrative competing in the Midnight Shorts category by Director and FFF alum McKenzi Vanderberg, who was born and raised in Orlando.
Dysphoria
Competing in the category Sunspots: New Visions of the Avant-Garde, Dysphoria is an experimental short directed by Orlando resident Eric Butler.
Colours
Colours is the debut film from writer/director Brooklynn Prince, who starred in The Florida Project and was born and raised in Winter Park.
The Orlando Film Commission acts as a central information source for on-location productions, providing location assistance, one-stop permitting and a comprehensive production directory. For more information, visit FilmOrlando.org