Enzian Theater during the Florida Film Festival. (Photo courtesy FFF)
After first postponing its film festival last spring due to the pandemic and then adding in a virtual component in the summer of 2020, the Florida Film Festival makes its springtime return to the Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida with its 30th annual outing April 9-22.
Since the pandemic is still ongoing, this year’s festival will be a blend of socially distanced, in-person screenings and films streaming online.
“We are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to present these artists’ extraordinary work on both the big screen at Enzian and virtually as well,” said Matthew Curtis, Florida Film Festival’s programming director, in a press release. “The highest percentage of films ever will be making their Florida debut at the festival, and we could not be more thrilled about introducing these talented filmmakers and presenting such an entertaining and diverse group of films to our audience.”
This year’s festival will screen 164 films representing 31 countries. All of the films will be available to watch in person at designated times at Enzian Theater with 159 of the them also available to be watched on your mobile device, tablet, computer or on the Eventive App for Roku and Apple TV. Most streaming films will be available April 10-22 with some exceptions.
There are 17 LGBTQ-themed films at this year’s festival. All 17 are available to be streamed and below we have put together a calendar in case you want to get back out there and see them on the big screen.
To check out the full schedule for the 30th annual Florida Film Festival, look into other festival events and to purchase in-person tickets, go to FloridaFilmFestival.com. For information on the virtual festival and to purchase streaming tickets, visit FloridaFilmFestival.eventive.org.
April 10
12:30 p.m.
“Marie”
Directed by Yudi Zhang
USA | 2020 | 15m
Before undergoing reassignment surgery, a transgender woman journeys home to confront her father, but when she gets there she finds him unable to provide her the closure she seeks.
“Marie” is a part of Shorts #1: Hello In There.”
8:45 p.m.
“No Man’s Land”
Directed by Anna Andersen and Gabriella Canal
USA | 2021 | 28m
Alapine is a lesbian community founded in rural Alabama in the 1970s. This beautifully photographed film explores these “womyn’s” coming-out stories, what inspired them to create a separatist space in the first place and their concerns for the future of their home. “No Man’s Land” makes its world premiere and is followed by “Workhorse Queen.”
“Workhorse Queen”
Directed by Angela Washko
USA | 2021 | 87m
By day, Ed Popil worked as the manager of a telemarketing center in post-industrial Rochester, New York for 18 years. By night, he transformed into drag queen Mrs. Kasha Davis. Not your average aspiring pop star drag queen, Mrs. Kasha Davis is a 1960’s era housewife trying to liberate herself from domestic toil through performing at night in secret – an homage to Popil’s own mother. After seven years of auditioning to compete on reality television show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Popil was finally cast onto the show and thrust into a full time entertainment career at the late age of 44. What seemed like a dream that finally came true, quickly became a reality littered with new challenges, including facing ageism both on and off-set. In only its second U.S. screening, “Workhorse Queen” features appearances by fellow “Drag Race” alumni Bianca Del Rio, Pandora Boxx and Darienne Lake.
11:59 p.m.
“Progressive Touch”
Directed by Michael Portnoy
Netherlands | 2020 | 12m
Making its southeast premiere and only its second U.S. screening, this film asks “Can you fuck to an irregular beat?”
“Progressive Touch” is a part of the Midnight Shorts.
April 11
1:45 p.m.
“Plaisir”
Directed by Molly Gillis
USA | 2021 | 19m
In English and French with English subtitles
With little grasp of the language and no knack for farming, a young woman travels to a French commune to perform some post-breakup soul searching.
“Plaisir” is a part of Shorts #2: “I Can See Clearly Now.”
April 14
6:30 p.m.
“The Shawl”
Directed by: Sara Kiener
USA | 2020 | 7m
Boyfriends Shane and Dusty are two Stevie Nicks-loving bears who discuss their relationship and a magical concert moment involving the original shawl from the “Stand Back” video in this animated short making its Florida premiere.
“The Shawl” is a part of the Animated Shorts: “Tutti Frutti.”
April 15
9:30 p.m.
“This is the Way We Rise”
Directed by Ciara Lacy
USA | 2020 | 12m
Native Hawaiian slam poet Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio finds words at sacred Maunakea which redeem both their nearly lost voices. Making its Florida premiere, “This is the Way We Rise” is followed by “The Dilemma of Desire.”
“The Dilemma of Desire”
Directed by Maria Finitzo
USA | 2020 | 108m
An exploration of “cliteracy,” and the clash between gender politics and the imperatives of female sexual desire. Experts pave the way for an authentic celebration of the clitoris and female power in this inspiring film making its Florida premiere.
April 17
12:45 p.m.
“Taffy”
Directed by Jon Bryant Crawford
USA | 2020 | 5m
An exquisite tale of a photographer who snaps candid portraits as he listens to an older Black man reminisce about a past love.
“Taffy” is a part of Shorts #3: “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
April 18
2 p.m.
“My Fiona”
Directed by Kelly Walker
USA/Australia | 2021 | 87m
In the wake of an unexpected suicide, Jane finds herself overwhelmed by the loss of her best friend, Fiona. As she begins helping Fiona’s widow Gemma care for their seven-year-old son, the relationship develops from a tentative friendship to a much deeper affair that helps them to cope but threatens their ability to heal. “My Fiona” makes its U.S. Premiere.
4:45 p.m.
“I Love Your Guts”
Directed by David Janove
USA | 2020 | 16m
Two girls working the graveyard shift at a fast food restaurant fend off a belligerent drunk guy while also confronting both their future and their friendship.
“In France Michelle is a Man’s Name”
Directed by Em A. Weinstein
USA | 2020 | 13m
Michael, a young trans man, returns home to the rural American West after years of estrangement from his parents. Making its Florida premiere, this film won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival.
“I Love Your Guts” and “In France Michelle is a Man’s Name” are both a part of Shorts #4: “Eruption.”
April 19
3:45 p.m.
“Dustin”
Directed by Naïla Guiguet
France | 2020 | 20m
French with English subtitles
A young group of friends seek distraction from the ugly reality of the world while also yearning for compassion, empathy and love.
“Dustin” is a part of International Shorts #2: “Agony or Ecstasy.”
9:30 p.m.
“Jesse James”
Directed by Trevor Anderson
Canada | 2020 | 16m
A young, Indigenous, transgender man — together with his rock band — bring “mumblepunk” to the Interstellar Rodeo. “Jesse James” makes its Florida premiere and is followed by “No Ordinary Man.”
“No Ordinary Man”
Directed by Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt
Canada | 2020 | 80m
The legacy of Billy Tipton, a 20th-century American jazz musician, is brought to the screen by a diverse group of contemporary trans artists.
April 20
3:45 p.m.
“Summer of 85”
Directed by François Ozon
France/Belgium | 2020 | 101m
In French with English subtitles
Making its Florida theatrical premiere, “Summer of 85” is a tender, bittersweet coming-of-ager centering on misunderstood and death-obsessed Alexis who falls hard for “the friend of his dreams” David, a slightly older, high-velocity life force.
April 21
9:30 p.m.
“Squish”
Directed by Xavier Seron
Belgium | 2020 | 20m
In French with English subtitles
With his husband away on a business trip, stay-at-home writer Tom is left in charge of their five-year-old son, Sam. Rushing to get Sam to his guitar lesson, Tom pulls out of the garage and SQUISH! Tom just crushed something. “Squish” makes its North American premiere
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