The 38th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) runs Nov 3-16, featuring nearly 200 films from 40 countries and filmmakers from across the nation and around the globe. The party lineup includes Poster Reveal Party, Opening Night at Hard Rock, WinterFLIFF (joint production of FLIFF and Winterfest) at Villa De Palma, the IMAX Reception, FLIFF On-The-Beach at Las Olas Oceanside Park, plus nightly receptions at the cinemas.
Established in 1986, FLIFF reels out more than 150 American Indie and international films, during the annual film festival. During the festival, celebrities, and filmmakers from around the world create an aura of excitement as they arrive at red-carpet premieres, attend over-the-top parties, and greet movie-goers. The titles of the mainstream films were not ready for release as of our deadline. Among some of the LGBT-themed films screening at the festival are:
Artist Unknown - directed by Cinder Chou, who will be in attendance. Juniper, an insecure martial artist, must find out the origins of a painting after two thieves try to steal it from her. (Nov. 9, 7 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso, Hollywood, and Nov. 10, 6:15 p.m., Savor Cinema.)
Big Easy Queens - directed by Fort Lauderdale’s own Erynn Dalton, who will be in attendance. Eighty minutes of pure queer horror with original musical numbers, voodoo, zombies, drag queens, and campy delight soaked in blood, gristle, and glitter on a double bill with I Remember, directed by Peter Bisuito. A man afflicted with repressed memory loss due to a traumatic experience he suffered, cannot remember where his husband Dom is. (Nov. 16, 9 p.m., at Savor Cinema.)
Fireworks - directed by Giuseppe Fiorello is based on a true story. 1982, in the heat of a Sicilian summer, two teenage boys, Gianni and Nino, meet and fall in love. Their relationship soon becomes a topic of gossip in the small town and despite their families’ objections, the two dream of living together, something the community is determined to stop. (Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. at The Gateway.)
Intermedium - directed by Erik Bloomquist. Bridget, an aspiring actress with OCD, is shipped off to live with her father in a sleepy New England hamlet, only to discover her new room already has an occupant: the ghost of a boy named Kyle Donovan (Nov. 6, 7 p.m. at the Gateway and Nov. 7, 3 p.m., at Cinema Paradiso Hollywood.)
Our Son - directed by Bill Oliver. Nicky (Luke Evans), a book publisher devoted to his work, lives with his husband Gabriel (Billy Porter), a former actor and stay-at-home dad, and their 8-year-old son, Owen. Gabriel loves Owen more than anything; Nicky loves Gabriel more than anything. Despite appearances, Gabriel files for divorce, leading to a custody battle that forces both to confront the changing reality of their love for each other and their son. (Nov. 16, 7 p.m. at Savor Cinema.)
