LIGHTS! ACTION! FLIFF!

38th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

The lineup includes 200 films from 40 countries, eight world premieres, and six US premieres.

Now in its 38th year, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF), from November 3 through November 16, will showcase nearly 200 films from 40 countries, featuring eight world premieres and six U.S. premieres. The festival includes features, documentaries, and short film programs, along with Filmed in Broward, a showcase of 21 films by South Florida filmmakers, all filmed in Broward County.

In addition to the impressive lineup of films, directors, producers, actors, and special guests will walk the red carpet, conduct Q&A discussions, and mingle with attendees. An exciting lineup of parties and special events take place throughout the festival. Some of the most popular events of the week are the Opening Night Film, Red Carpet & Party on Friday, November 3, Gatsby Party at the luxurious Villa de Palma on November 4, Centerpiece Film & Party on November 9, and Intracoastal Elegance, a memorable evening under the stars at a private estate on November 11.

HIGHLIGHTS

OPENING NIGHT: FLIFF kicks off on Friday, November 3rd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with the dramatic comedy The Good Half, directed by Robert Schwartzman (Princess Diaries, Rooney), who will be joined on the red carpet by cast members Brittany Snow (Hairspray, Pitch Perfect), David Arquette (Scream, Never Been Kissed), Matt Walsh (VEEP, The Hangover) and Alexandra Shipp (Barbie, X-Men). Following the film, guests will enjoy a lavish party filled with live music, epicurean delights, and an open bar.

CENTERPIECE: The Senior makes its world premiere on Thursday, November 9th at Savor Cinema, followed by a lively street party. Directed by Rod Lurie and starring Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Michael Chiklis. The Senior is based on the true story of Mike Flynt, a flawed everyman who overcomes his age, his mental demons, and the preconceptions of his teammates 40 years his junior, proving that it’s never too late to tackle your dreams. Rod Lurie, Michael Chiklis, producer Mark Ciardi, and Mike & Eileen Flynt, subjects of the film, will be in attendance. Prior to the screening, FLIFF will present Michael Chiklis with the Career Achievement Award.

THIS TIME recounts the tale of a sheltered teen who inherits her estranged father’s journal, uncovering cryptic clues to his secret life. To fulfill her father’s dying wish, she races across the country to attempt a long-shot rendezvous with her father’s longtime friend Liza Minelli. Prior to the screening at Savor Cinema on Saturday, November 4, FLIFF will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Charles Martin Smith, who stars in the film. Also in attendance will be director Robert George Vaughn, and producers Jennifer Louise Gibson and Sahar Whelan. A reception follows the screening. This Time will also be showing at Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood at 1 pm on Monday, November 6.

WITHOUT PRECEDENT: THE SUPREME LIFE OF ROSALIE ABELLA. On Monday, November 6 at Savor Cinema, FLIFF welcomes Justice Rosalie Abella, a former member of the Supreme Court of Canada, for the screening of this documentary about her life and career. Written and directed by Barry Avrick, the film is a compelling portrait of the woman born to Holocaust survivors in a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany in 1946. Often referred to as “Canada’s RBG” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), she is a tireless champion for the neglected and underserved, Justice Abella will join guests at a reception prior to the screening of the film at 7:30 pm.

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

FLIFF continues the 38-year tradition of honoring noteworthy filmmakers and actors during the festival. A video montage of each honoree's career will be shown prior to the award presentations. The honorees are:

Robert Schwartzman, director of The Good Half, will receive the Renaissance Award on Opening Night, Friday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Robert also wrote much of the score for the film and performed it with his band Rooney. He co-stars opposite Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries, which will be screened free for all children on Saturday, November 4 at Savor Cinema. Later that evening at 7 pm, FLIFF presents Hung Up On a Dream, the documentary he directed about the ‘60s musical group The Zombies. And on Friday, November 10 at 8 pm the comedy Drugstore June, produced by Robert, will be shown at Savor Cinema.

David Arquette (Scream), Matt Walsh (The Hangover, VEEP), and Brittany Snow (Hairspray, Pitch Perfect) will each receive the Career Achievement Award on Opening Night on November 3. Parachute, Brittany's directorial debut, screens November 4 at 7 pm at Savor Cinema. And Alexandra Shipp (X-Men, BARBIE) will be honored with FLIFF's Star on the Horizon Award. All four have major roles in The Good Half, the Opening Night film.

Charles Martin Smith (American Graffiti, The Untouchables), actor/writer/director, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the screening of This Time, in which he stars, on Saturday, November 4 at 3 p.m. at Savor Cinema. In a career spanning 50 years, Charles first came to prominence in 1973 as one of the young stars of American Graffiti, followed by decades as an acclaimed actor and director in both film and TV.

Michael Chiklis (The Senior, The Shield, Fantastic 4), Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor, will be presented with the Career Achievement Award prior to the screening of The Senior at Savor Cinema on Thursday, November 9 at 7 p.m. Best known for his role in the acclaimed drama series The Shield, Michael may be seen as the infamous Celtics coach Red Auerbach in Season 2 of the HBO series Winning Time.

Screenings throughout the festival take place at Savor Cinema, Cinema Paradiso, NSU Art Museum, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, Gateway Theatre, AutoNation IMAX, and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. A full schedule, including information on tickets and membership at www.fliff.com.

As the host hotel for FLIFF, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, is offering discounted rooms when attending the festival. Click here to book a stay here.

VENUES

AutoNation IMAX Museum of Discovery & Science, 401 SW 2^nd Street, Ft Lauderdale 33312

Cinema Paradiso, 2008 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 33020

Gateway Cinema, 1820 E Sunrise Blvd, Ft Lauderdale 33304

Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11 Pl, Lauderhill 33311

NSU Art Museum,1 E Las Olas Blvd, Ft Lauderdale 33301

Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th St, Ft Lauderdale 33301

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood 33314