Alan French gets ready to cover the 2023 Florida Film Festival based out of Orlando, Florida. The festival primarily takes place at the Enzian Theater and the Regal Winter Park theater. This year, a few things to keep in mind.
First, the opening night film, You Were My First Boyfriend, is not only a product of a local filmmaker but takes place in Central Florida. It only plays on the first night, but it does play two times (once at Enzian and once at Regal Winter Park). Please be sure to pick up your tickets ahead of time.
Second, there are special events going on during the festival, including Q&A with John Cusack for Say Anything. A retrospective screening of Fantastic Planet is also scheduled to close out the festival. The animated classic will surely be a surreal yet rewarding experience for those in attendance.
Third, while the Regal Winter Park location is currently under renovation. While work continues on the exterior of the building, the interior theater is open. Please do not let this construction cause you to miss out on marvelous films in competition or those screening at the festival.
Below, you’ll find our continually updating list of films that are playing the 2023 Florida Film Festival, as well as some others from previous years.
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While Paul Schrader wrote many great movies about abandoned men looking for a purpose, he has edged into self-parody. His latest pseudo-trilogy pushes audiences to develop empathy for troubled men. However, even a war criminal and an eco-terrorist priest have nothing on the Joel Edgerton-led Master Gardener. Schrader’s latest film lays on heavy commentary about…
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In 1967, The Dirty Dozen rocked movie theaters as a pure action spectacle. The story of twelve men conducting a covert exercise likely to end in death scored across all audiences. It grossed over ten times its budget and ushered several iconic action stars into the mainstream. In many ways, Sisu is the perfect spiritual…
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After a breakup, we often need a moment of reinvention. However, getting transported to a mythical world is not usually in the cards. Unicorn Boy, a new animated feature from Matt Kiel, pushes its protagonist into chasing a new life. Using themselves as a model for its protagonist, Kiel pushes the visual envelope while maintaining…
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As a comedian, Ray Romano already conquered the world. Everybody Loves Raymond earned its place as one of the comedies of its era. His standup earned him acclaim and regular appearances on The Late Show. Now, he’s stepped into the director’s chair to open a new chapter. His directorial debut Somewhere in Queens plays on…
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With fun puns and punishing action, roller derby has maintained a place in the world of women’s sports. Unfortunately, the amateur and semi-professional teams rarely get the funds to run without sponsorship. In most cases, the leagues require players who pour passion into their performances. Minnesota Mean follows one of those teams. Featuring interviews while…
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Emotional trauma has become the backbone of visual storytelling in recent years. Explorations of characters struggling with the fallout of horror have popped in every medium, from short films to long-form television. On the one hand, this has resulted in increased attention to mental health. However, sometimes the tropes become a dangerous subject matter to…
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Traveling to the National Parks in 2020 became a highlight of my time in lockdown. Trips to Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Zion, and the Grand Canyon will stay with me forever. For the centennial celebration of the Parks Service in 2016, Director Brendan Hall traversed nearly 10,000 miles of the American landscape. With his childhood…
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Every family struggles when parents and children do not see eye to eye. Yet, for immigrant families, seeing eye to eye tends to lead to intercultural misunderstandings. As a result, many children of immigrant parents attempt to assimilate to “be normal,” unaware that their cultural upbringing will be far more important in the long term.…
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As the story of modern rock music continues to evolve, a strong spotlight has been placed on those in the shadows. Documentaries like 20 Feet From Stardom and Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis have highlighted these contributions. Immediate Family looks to do the same. Putting session musicians into the spotlight is not a…
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Explicitly sexual documentaries often find themselves pushed out of the mainstream. Yet a short like Really Good Friends opens the door for honest discussions. In Florida, sexuality among older populations remains taboo. Yet these relationships continue to occur. Really Good Friends does not need to be expanded into a feature to be powerful. In a…
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The opioid and drug crisis continues across America. While steps to help families struggling with addiction have found some solace, reliance on these medications becomes a lifelong struggle. Even if someone in your family understands their problem, those suffering from the illness will need to battle their entire life. After a successful run at the…
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Putting oneself into the creative spaces of our culture requires courage. Unfortunately, for every person who does, many others quit without achieving their goal. After all, in the digital age, the internet skews toward cruelty. Yet, if one has a true dream to perform at the highest level, you should never sell yourself short. One…