Florida Film Fest biggest ever

It’s coming this Friday, when the curtain rises on one of the top film festivals in the country. This year’s Florida Film Festival is going to be the biggest one ever, said Tim Anderson, programming coordinator for the Enzian theater.
Let the binge watching begin.
“Binging … could lead to serious death,” warns the trailer for the Florida Film Festival. “Remember to binge responsibly.”More than 2,000 films were submitted from 101 countries, up more than 30% from last year. Of those, 182 films from 40 countries were chosen. Those are all records, Anderson said.
“That’s the most movies from the most entries from the most countries we’ve ever had,” he said. “We have incredible films that we can’t even play because we only have so many time slots.”
But the festival still will make time for some classics. Expect to see Leah Thompson, whose big break in “Back to the Future” may be her most iconic role as the older, then young, then older again Lorraine Baines McFly. She’ll be at the festival for a special screening of that classic. And for those who love the Tim Burton classic “Big Fish” and “Public Enemies,” actor Billy Crudup will be in attendance for a Q&A session after a showing of his starring role in the 1999 film “Jesus’ Son.”  
“We’re just thrilled to death to have them,” Anderson said.
And those aren’t the only stars about to brighten the stage in the main theater. David Zucker, of Zucker Brothers fame, will be at the Festival for a showing of “Airplane!” And he’ll be bringing with him Robert Hays, aka hapless hero pilot Ted Striker from that iconic comedy.
“I’m hoping they’ll just have people laughing for 60 straight minutes,” Anderson said.
AnnaLynne McCord from “90210” and “Nip/Tuck” will be showing her new film “68 Kill,” and Laura Prepon from “That ‘70s Show” and “Orange is the New Black” fame will drop in via Skype during the opening night party.
It’s all part of a rapidly growing festival that Anderson said is unlike almost all of the top festivals for its laid-back atmosphere.
“It’s chill, it’s very relaxed,” Anderson said. “I’ve had filmmakers meet at this festival and they’ve went on to collaborate on projects after this. This festival just fosters that kind of camaraderie.”
It also helps that at the FFF, guests can stay in one place. “At most festivals people don’t leave the premieres and then hang out and have a drink at the bar afterward,” Anderson said. “We can do that here.”
Expect a big night on opening night, he said. It’ll start with food samples, cocktails, and a showing of the new Sam Elliott film “The Hero.” Food and drinks will be from Arthur’s Catering, Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ, The Copper Rocket Pub, Cuisiniers, Enzian Theater & Eden Bar, Hourglass Brewing, Hunger Street Tacos, La Empanada, Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen, Rogue Pub, Rosen Shingle Creek, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, Ten10 Brewing Co., Terrapin Beer Co. and Tito’s Vodka.
It’ll be a 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. blowout.
“The party’s a blast,” Anderson said. “It’s just all food and drinks all night. You can’t beat the party.”
It’ll kick off 10 days of a celebration of film.
“We’re just playing some phenomenal movies,” Anderson said. “It’s always packed, it’s always incredible.”

Florida Film Festival Opening Night Party
WHEN: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, April 21
WHERE: Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
DETAILS: The evening will begin with champagne and appetizers, followed by Sam Elliott in “The Hero.”
FESTIVAL INFORMATION: Visit floridfilmfestival.com for information and complete schedules.

Contact Isaac Babcock at
[email protected].