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The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is hitting a milestone that every cultural organization aspires to reach, but only a select few manage. This year, it marks its 40th anniversary with films, parties, and appearances by big-name special guests. At a time when similar regional festivals are increasingly endangered, FLIFF’s latest edition will spotlight 50 films across several Broward venues, including Savor Cinema, Cinema Paradiso, and Paragon Cinemas, among others.
Hal Axler, the festival’s managing director, says FLIFF’s operating principle — using “the art of cinema to bring people together, celebrate diverse storytelling, and foster and incubate filmmakers within the community” — has not changed over its four-decade tenure. But he says the festival has worked hard to keep up with the times.
“In an era where content is always at our fingertips,” Axler explains, “film festivals must create a truly immersive, shared experience with every screening — something that goes beyond just watching a movie.”
Regional festivals such as this one are instrumental in connecting audiences with art and culture, boosting local economies, and providing platforms for networking and professional development. But they face two key obstacles: ever-diminishing funding and ever-expanding competition in the attention economy.
To battle against the tides, FLIFF relies on innovative programming targeted to its unique audiences, and this year’s lineup is no exception. Actor and comedian Paul Reiser will present his latest film, The Problem with People, a culture-clash comedy about family and forgiveness, followed by a conversation and an Irish-themed party. Chevy Chase will also join director Marina Zenovich to discuss her profile of the comic, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, which celebrates Chase’s comedic career without shying away from his many controversies. A Chaddyshack-themed party will follow the screening and panel. On the more serious side, Oscar-nominated actor Terrance Howard and Emmy winner Jeremy Piven will screen their new crime thriller, Miami Nights, which, true to its title, was shot in South Florida.
No less special than these marquee events is the festival’s robust documentary lineup and collection of LGBTQ+ films. Axler is eager for audiences to connect with documentaries such as Land of Mustaches and California Scenario. He admits that these films “often receive less attention,” but “are consistently outstanding,” which explains the festival’s focus on the medium. One selection that has already received significant attention is Guy Harvey: The Documentary, which explores the artist’s ocean conservation efforts. FLIFF added a second screening after the first one sold out quickly. Another film, Mr. Goalie, spotlights the life of Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall.
While Mr. Goalie may satiate the post-Heated Rivalry hockey frenzy, there’s queer representation to be found elsewhere on the lineup: documentary Inside the Oasis: The Story of South Florida’s Gay Mecca, contemporary fare like the comedic Myrna’s Deal with the Dead, or the romantic If You Should Leave Before Me. If meta-self-discovery is more your niche, there is a fascinating potential double feature between Exit Interviews and Two Times João Liberada. The former is a poignant journey of self-understanding as a filmmaker interviews all of his exes. The latter queers the historical biographical film as an actress and director clash over telling the story of Liberada, “a gender-nonconforming figure persecuted during the Portuguese Inquisition.”
While this year’s programming ranges from world cinema to local productions, all selections are rooted in connecting audiences with singular storytelling. Looking ahead to the next 40 years, Axler hopes to maintain the same community engagement that has sustained FLIFF from the VHS age to the streaming era. The film festival experience “simply can’t be replaced,” Axler says, “no matter how comfortable the reclining chair or large the TV at home.”
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Friday, February 20, through Saturday, February 28, at various venues. fliff.com.
