The Opening Night lineup ranges from the directorial debut of a local 11-year-old filmmaker to films featuring Hollywood veterans Oscar nominee Lesley Ann Warren (Victor/Victoria, Clue, Desperate Housewives), Thomas Ian Griffith (The Karate Kid Part III, Cobra Kai) and four-time Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh. The program concludes with the debut of a documentary celebrating the 70-year history of the Mai-Kai, one of South Florida’s most iconic destinations.
Kick Time (United States / Comedy, Sports, 20 min)
Two estranged friends, who made a wildly successful kid’s video 30 years ago, are forced to work together again to capture the same magic… that is if they can keep from killing each other.
Key Cast: Thomas Ian Griffith, Mary Page Keller, Eamon Griffith, Robert Meltzer, Bridge Stuart
Director/ Writer: Thomas Ian Griffith
Producers: Amber Neukum
Contact: Mary Page Keller, mariavonpage@gmail.com
Lay Lefty Down (United States / Dark Comedy, Musical / 15 min)
Two women unexpectedly unite through stories of grief and laughter, after their family throws a surprise memorial for a left breast.
Key Cast: Tovah Feldshuh, Alexandra Seal
Directors: Traven Rice
Writers: Brady Walker, Traven Rice
Producers: Vadim Egoul, Erin Brennan
Contact: Traven Rice, travenrice@mac.com
Website: www.layleftydown.com
Social Media: instagram.com/layleftydownfilm/
The Color Thief (Boynton Beach / Children, Student Film / 3 mins)
This film, created by an 11-year-old filmmaker. When an invisible monster called the Color Thief steals children’s confidence and turns their artwork gray, one courageous girl stands up to the voice of self-doubt. Through kindness and encouragement, she helps her classmates rediscover their creativity and proves that art doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real.
Director: Ella Ramas
OLIVE (France, United States / Drama, Psychological, Romance / 14 min / English)
While caring for his grandmother, Sam begins to question the nature of their relationship.
Key Cast: Lesley Ann Warren, Jeffrey Farber, Tom Koch
Director / Writer: Tom Koch
Producers: Anthony James Faure, Astrid Lark
Contact: Tom Koch, gotomkoch@gmail.com
Website: www.olivethefilm.com/
Social Media: instagram.com/olivethefilm
Blowing Up (Vero Beach / Dark Comedy/ 20 min)
Janine is thirty and feeling nothing but grief. Her best friend plans a lowkey birthday, her boss gives the worst advice imaginable, and dinner goes sideways. Across one long, terrible day, a single message threatens to pop her carefully air-tight autopilot routine. Oh yeah! And she’s an inflatable doll! An absurdist tragicomedy about grief, anhedonia, and that feeling you get when you can’t feel anything at all.
Key Cast: Tenaya Cleveland, Maria Todero, Danielle Rodd, Don-Dimitri Joseph, Aleesha Flow
Writer / Director: A.J. Fitzgerald
Producers: Don-Dimitri Joseph, Lovely Jones, Tequisha Hendrickson, Danielle Zito
Contact: A.J. Fitzgerald,alexanderjfitzgerald@gmail.com
Social Media: instagram.com/blowingupfilm
Mai Kai (United States / Documentary, Local Interest / 11 min)
Since 1956, the Mai Kai Polynesian Show and Restaurant has entertained audiences from all over the world from their spot in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Three generations of Polynesian dancers and staff take us through that history and the rich cultural heritage shared every evening at the Mai Kai.
Directors: Ethan Payne
Contact: Ethan Payne, ethanpayne@gmail.com
Film selection subject to change / films may not be listed in their screening order