The Jacksonville Film Festival has scheduled a lineup of independent films and other activities Thursday-Sunday at Downtown venues.
Highlights include industry workshops and panels, support of filmmaking and filmmakers with ties to Florida, family friendly options and a showcase of independent film.
The venues for the 10th edition of the festival are the Main Library, The Florida Theatre, the San Marco Theatre and, for the first time, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.
“This year’s slate was designed to delight, entertain, educate and excite independent film lovers in North Florida. We’re bringing in talented actors and filmmakers, including our festival honoree, Carrie Preston, who will be recognized by fans of ‘True Blood’ and ‘The Good Wife,’” said festival Executive Director Jules Delamar.
The official “Opening of the Fest” is scheduled at 5 p.m. Thursday at The Florida Theatre. The evening is sponsored by Scenic Jacksonville, City Beautiful Jax, Greenscape of Jacksonville, Citizens for a Scenic Florida and Rogers Towers.
Each year the Jacksonville Film Festival recognizes a female filmmaker with a luncheon in her honor and a moderated discussion.
Business owners, filmmakers, local producers, community leaders and fans attend the event as a way to spend time with an honored festival guest. This year the festival honors Preston at 11:30 a.m. at the Main Library.
The JaxFilmFest Global Whimsy Party is scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the Lovett Courtyard at the Main Library. Entertainment includes a DJ, dancers, appetizers and a full bar.
For tickets, the full schedule and more information, visit jaxfilmfest.com.
This year’s featured films:
“That’s What She Said”
Bebe (Marcia DeBonis) is preparing for the most romantic encounter of her life, and she needs her best friend Dee Dee (Anne Heche) to cheer her on.
Dee Dee is so cynical about dating that she shows up three hours late only to spew cigarette smoke and bitterness all over the morning coffee.
Clementine (Alia Shawkat) has decided to invade their day with non-stop talk about her nymphomaniac escapades.
Looking to turn the day around, the three embark on a day of misadventure in New York City.
The film, directed by Carrie Preston, is a look at friendship in the face of adversity.
“Metropolis”
Incorporating more than 25 minutes of newly discovered footage, this 2010 restoration of “Metropolis” is the definitive edition of Fritz Lang’s 1927 science-fiction masterpiece.
Backed by a new recording of Gottfried Huppertz’s 1927 score presented at the festival in 5.1 Stereo Surround, the film’s visual design and special effects are more striking than ever.
“The Last Flight of Peter Ginz”
By 14, Peter Ginz had written five novels and penned a diary about the Nazi occupation of Prague. By 16, he had produced more than 170 drawings and paintings, edited an underground magazine in the Theresienstadt Ghetto, written numerous short stories and had walked to the gas chamber at Auschwitz.
This documentary is a story of celebration as well as tragedy, a testament to how a boy’s wonder and creative expression represent the best of what makes us human.
“This Space Available”
From 240 hours of film, 160 interviews and visits to 11 countries on five continents, “This Space Available” charts struggles against unchecked advertising and suggests that more than aesthetics is at stake.