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THE 36^TH ANNUAL

FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

KICKS OFF WITH RED CARPET ARRIVALS OF

GLOBAL AND LOCAL FILM TALENT AT

MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE

NOVEMBER 5

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FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

TO REOPEN THE ICONIC GATEWAY THEATRE

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 28, 2021) — In March 2020, the COVID pandemic shuttered Broward County’s oldest movie theatre, The Classic Gateway Theatre, which has lain dormant now for more than a year.

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) is about to change that, as FLIFF has entered into an agreement with the property management company, Smith Moses Morris and Associates, to lease the iconic theatre. Gregory von Hausch, President and CEO of the Film Festival, and Managing Director Heather Gilchrist negotiated and brought the deal to fruition.

“This past year has been a great challenge for all of us. With the addition of the Gateway Theatre, we look forward to celebrating a post-pandemic film renaissance with a wide array of offerings, special events and viewing options,” commented von Hausch. “The Gateway has a rich history in South Florida, and having a theatre with four screens and 690 seats will make a tremendous difference in what we can offer to the film-loving community,” added von Hausch.

Along with an enthusiastic Board of Directors, longtime FLIFF Superstar member and donor Scott Bennett had championed the idea of having the festival add the Gateway’s four-plex to their present single screen venues at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood. To help facilitate the deal, Bennett made a generous initial investment this year, with a commitment to provide annual donations in 2022 and 2023 through the Scott L. Bennett Charitable Fund at Our Fund Foundation.  Board member and volunteer director Janet Schwartz also provided additional funding.

“After many years of presenting films at Cinema Paradiso and Savor Cinema, we are excited to take the next step in growing our festival, as well as increasing our year-round offerings of diverse films and special events,” commented Skip Margerum, FLIFF Chairman of the Board

Bennett noted “It was important to me personally and as Board Chair of Our Fund Foundation to assist in the growth opportunity for FLIFF to provide the movie programming which had long been presented at the Classic Gateway Theatre. The entire Fort Lauderdale community will benefit from the continuation of this iconic theatre.”

FLIFF plans to reopen the theatre, with a return to its original name The Gateway Theatre, Memorial Day Weekend – – just one month before the ground-breaking ceremony 71 years ago on June 30, 1950.

The Gateway quickly gained a reputation as a location for world premieres. The theatre opened its doors on March 24, 1951 with a parade down Sunrise Boulevard and the world premiere of Bill Mauldin’s comedy Up Front starring David Wayne. On December 21, 1960, the Fort Lauderdale Spring Break production, “Where the Boys Are” made its world premiere, with appearances by several of the film’s celebrated stars, including: Paula Prentis, Tim Hutton, Maggie Pierce, and producer Joe Pasternak putting Fort Lauderdale on the map as the Spring Break capital. Back then the Gateway housed a single auditorium of 1,600 seats, but with the increased popularity of multiplex theatres, in 1976 it was divided into two auditoriums, and in 1984 it featured four auditoriums.

Corporate sponsorships are available to help with the cost of renovating areas of the theatre and to create a sleek, fresh new look that will add nuance and panache, while retaining the existing charm.  Renovations and upgrades are planned for the lobby concession and bar, restrooms, outdoor lighting, and a reimagined walkway among other updates.

For further information on sponsorships and benefits, email Gregory von Hausch at Greg@fliff.com

About Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) is presented by the Broward County Film Society, a 501c3 not for profit organization committed to showcasing and celebrating the best in independent and international films. The organization programs and operates Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood, two year-round arthouse cinemas that screen the same great films audiences expect from FLiFF almost every day of the year; offers FLiFF OnDemand virtual cinema so that audiences can stream festival-worthy films from home; produces satellite festivals—from St. Augustine to the Bahamas to the Arctic Circle and beyond,—and a variety of cinema-centered experiences through FLiFF On Location; and provides educational programming, resources, and recognition to emerging filmmakers via FutureMakers.

About Our Fund

Founded in 2011 by community activists and philanthropists who observed that LGBTQ causes in the region were under-funded, Our Fund Foundation was launched to create the most livable community in the country for LGBTQ people in South Florida.  Following the model of community foundations across the country, Our Fund strengthens community agencies and their leaders, mobilizes donors and inspires giving.  In its first 10 years, Our Fund has secured an asset base of $20M+ and annually grants out $1.5M to local agencies in support of LGBTQ causes and programs.

 

 

 

 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Friday, August 28) –The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) unveiled the poster and trailer for the 35th annual edition on the 40’ screen at FLIFF Drive-In Cinema last night at Pier Sixty-Six Marina South. Prior to the debut, live entertainment included: a dazzling stilt walker, a classic car display provided by Russ G. Events, and live music performed by local South Florida artists Cynfully Sweet, Ambori Jani, and Taylor Davis. Shared on screen were video congratulations for FLIFF’s 35 years from past Honorees, actors Joe Pantoliano and Diane Baker, Ed Harris and Kerry Sanders. Read more…

MDC’s 37th Edition of Miami Film Festival

 to Open with The Burnt Orange Heresy

Celebrities and filmmakers will walk the red carpet.

 

What:    Miami Dade College’s 37th annual Miami Film Festival will open with THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY, a film based on Miami novelist and former Miami Dade College writing professor, Charles Willeford, who through his writings explored the dark side of Florida. The film has a stellar cast that includes smart, sly, and delightful performances from Mick Jagger, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Debicki and Claes Bang. 

Who:      Arriving on the red carpet are the stars and director of the opening night film.

About the film:

The art world and the underworld collide in director Giuseppe Capotondi’s elegant and erotic neo-noir thriller, THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY. Set-in present-day Italy, irresistibly charismatic art critic James Figueras (Bang) hooks up with provocative and alluring fellow American, Berenice Hollis (Debicki). He’s a classic anti-hero in the making with a charm that masks his ambition, whilst she’s an innocent touring Europe, enjoying the freedom of being whoever she wishes. The new lovers travel to the lavish and opulent Lake Como estate of powerful art collector, Cassidy (Jagger). Their host reveals he is the patron of Jerome Debney (Sutherland), the reclusive J.D. Salinger of the art world, and he has a simple request: for James to steal a Debney masterpiece from the artist’s studio, whatever the cost. As the couple spend time with the legendary Debney, they start to realize that nothing about the artist nor their mission is what it seems. But James is a man of deep, lurking ambition and he will do anything, from arson and burglary to murder, in order to further his career.

 

Actress Elizabeth Debicki, is remembered for her role as Ayesha in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and will reprise her role in the upcoming third installment of the series.  She was also in The Great Gatsby, Widows, and Everest.

 

Danish actor Claes Bang is known for his role in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and as Count Dracula in the BBC mini-series Dracula. He won the European Film Award for Best Actor, for his role as Christian in Ruben Östlund’s 2017 film The Square.

 

Director Giuseppe Capotondi is known for feature films, Berlin Station and Suburra: Blood on Rome, The Double Hour.

 

Local and visiting cast and crew members will also walk the red carpet for photos.

When:    Friday, March 6th

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Press Check-In

6:00 PM Red Carpet opens

Where: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler Street, Miami, FL. 33131.

THE FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES THE FILM LINE-UP FOR THE 34^th ANNUAL EVENT

 

Honorees Include:

Joe Pantoliano, Kevin Pollak, Diane Baker, Peter Riegert

Marco Leonardi, Natalia Oreiro, Justin Long and Bill Grefe

 

Special Guests Returning this year are Karen Allen and Talia Shire

 

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 29, 2019) — The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) returns for its 34^th year, November 1-17, with an exciting line-up of more than 150 films (60 feature film premieres representing over 25 countries), over-the-top theme parties, and both renowned and aspiring film talent.  American Independent, foreign language, and films from Florida will include features, documentaries and shorts with an eclectic array of genres. Read more…

Robert Adanto’s documentaries: Born Just Now and The

 

 

F Word are going to be presented at

 

 

this year’s ArtPalmBeach Contemporary Art Fair in

 

 

West Palm Beach! 

 

 

 

Born Just Now, which participated in the Sundance Institute Documentary Program’s Lab in Miami, looks at the Belgrade-based performance artist Marta Jovanović. The film covers a year and a half in her life, during which she left an abusive relationship and eight-year marriage.

 

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/163410783

The F Word examines radical “4th-wave” feminist performance in Brooklyn. The film features interviews with artists Narcissister, Ann Hirsch, Kate Durbin, and Leah Schrager, while curator/scholars Dr. Kathy Battista and Nancy Princenthal provide context.

 

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/133657286

THE 33rd ANNUAL FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WRAPS-UP FOR ANOTHER YEAR WITH

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

THE LATE ROB STEWART’S “SHARKWATER EXTINCTION”

With Special Guests: Rob’s Parents Who Completed the Film 

 

 

CELEBRITY GUESTS INCLUDING:

“The Hunger Games” and “Ocean’s 8” writer/director Gary Ross

Actor & Filmmaker Paul Lieberstein

Renowned Artist Forrest “Frosty” Myers

“Caddyshack” & “Tron” Star, Cindy Morgan

 

 WHAT:   During the last weekend of The 33^rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the fest brings in a bevy of celebrity talent and holds one of their most off-the-charts, over-the-top parties, The Wrap Party Extravaganza.

WHO:   SATURDAY, NOV. 17

Gary Ross, renowned writer/director of films including the fantasy comedy-drama film PLEASANTVILLE, the sports drama film SEABISCUIT, the sci-fi action film THE HUNGER GAMES, and most recently the action-crime-comedy OCEAN’S 8.  Ross’s first screenplay that was made into a feature film was the Tom Hanks hit BIG.  FLIFF will present Gary Ross with a Lifetime Achievement Award prior to the tribute screening of PLEASANTVILLE, which will be followed by an audience Q&A.

 

Paul Lieberstein, who starred as the soft spoken, mild-mannered Toby Flenderson in NBC’s THE OFFICE was also the NBC’s hit sitcom writer, director, producer and showrunner.   Lieberstein presents the Southeast Premiere of his comedy SONG OF BACK AND NECK at FLIFF.  The comedy, inspired by his own physical pain, marks his feature film directorial debut which he wrote, produced and stars as Fred, a nice guy who is not taken seriously by anyone. When a beautiful client comes in looking for a divorce lawyer, she and Fred hit it off.  She suggests he see an acupuncturist, who discovers that Fred has a unique talent.

Forrest “Frosty” Myers – in 1961, Frosty entered a rapidly changing art scene in New York. He was one of several artists that pioneered living and working in abandoned lofts that led the urban renewal in what became the downtown scene in lower Manhattan, Soho and ultimately Brooklyn.  Frosty is recognized for his sculpture “The Wall” (aka The Gateway to Soho) and for the “moon museum” the first art placed on the Moon, as well as for his radical furniture that blurred the lines of art and design.  Producer Debra Arch Myers will attend with Frosty Myers.  The Florida Premiere of THE ART & TIMES OF FROSTY MYERS, held this past week during FLIFF, documents his career over the past half-century.

Brian and Sandy Stewart took over the role of producers of their son Rob’s third film, SHARKWATER EXTINCTION, after the 37-year-old died during a diving accident that took place during filming in the Florida Keys in 2017.  The young director from Canada devoted his life to saving sharks and thus, saving our oceans.

 

Brock Cahill, is a Cinematic Activist and Preservation Tactician, aligned with the Intent of Nature, for The SeaChange Agency and Team Sharkwater.  Brock and Rob were dive partners for the better part of ten years, and spent countless hours strategizing how to change the world, and save the ocean

 

Teresa Tico, co-director of the powerful documentary POISONING PARADISE which had its Florida Premiere this weekend at FLIFF.  The film exposes the effects of environmental injustice on a local Hawaiian population and joins the international debate about pesticides as well as the people’s movement to hold corporations and governments accountable for poisoning planet Earth. Tico is a Hawaii based attorney and film producer of environmental documentary films to raise awareness about the cultural and environmental impacts of declining resources and climate change.  POISONING PARADISE is co-directed by Keely Shaye Brosnan and executive produced by Pierce Brosnan, residents of Hawaii.

Steve Kelly, director of funny yet touching coming of age football memoir, THE BROMLEY BOYS, played out to the sights and sounds of late 60’s Britain.  Based on the hilarious novel by Dave Roberts, it recounts the author’s highs and the lows supporting the worst football team in the country.  THE BROMLEY BOYS screened at FLIFF this weekend.   Kelly is known for is known for City Rats (2009), Final Breath (II), Strange But True? (1995-1997).

WHEN:  Saturday, November 17

3:45pm:  Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Gary Ross

5:30pm-5:45pm:  Q&A with Gary Ross

6:45pm-7:45pm:  Red Carpet arrivals

8:00pm:  Film Awards, The Rob Stewart Environmental Award followed by the screening of FLIFF’s Closing Night Film, and Florida Premiere of SHARKWATER EXTINCTION AND Q&A.

 WHERE:  Bailey Hall, Broward College Campus, 3501 Davie Rd, Davie, FL 33314

WHO:   SUNDAY NOV. 18

The 33^rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival closes with a Caddyshack Themed Extravaganza produced by FLIFF Executive Board Member, Steve Savor.  When you arrive at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club, you’ll be greeted by a Rodney Dangerfield look-a-like.  As you enter the Club House you can take a photo with actress Cindy Morgan (Tron) who portrays Lacey Underall in Caddyshack.  Three will be a bountiful buffet, three bars, models dressed 80’s style, a neon lit putting green, a live band and dancing.   On the 18^th hole, you’ll spot a sea of golf carts fanned out drive-in movie style in front of a 40ft Jumbo Screen for the presentation of the filmed in Fort Lauderdale CADDYSHACK.  The Photo Ops are endless!

WHERE:  Fort Lauderdale Country Club: 415 E Country Club Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317.

WHEN:   Sunday, November 18

6:00pm-6:30pm:   Photos with Cindy Morgan at the Clubhouse

6:30pm-7:00pm:   Grab a bite to eat

7:00pm:   Head to the putting green and the drive-in movie set

7:30pm:   Gregory von Hausch will introduce Cindy Morgan, and Rodney Dangerfield