Florida Film Festival

Overview

The Florida Film Festival is Central Florida's most important film festival. Founded in 1992 and held annually in April in Maitland (home of the Enzian Theater) and Orlando, the festival screens over 150 films and is Academy Award-qualifying in its short film categories.

The Enzian Theater, which presents the festival, is one of the Southeast's most beloved independent cinemas -- a classic single-screen venue with a garden setting and a devoted audience community. The festival's home at the Enzian gives it an institutional foundation and a year-round film culture that supports the annual event.

Central Florida's large, diverse population and the proximity of major tourist infrastructure create an unusual festival audience that combines local film enthusiasts with visitors.

Key Sections

• Feature Film Competition -- independent narrative and documentary features
• Short Film Competition -- Academy Award-qualifying programs
• Florida Film Competition -- films by Florida filmmakers
• Documentary Competition -- nonfiction features
• Special Events -- outdoor screenings at the Enzian

What Filmmakers Should Know

Florida Film Festival accepts open submissions. The Academy Award-qualifying short film competition is the most strategically important element. For Florida filmmakers, the festival provides central Florida's most important platform alongside Miami Film Festival.

Major Awards

• Jury Award for Best Film -- narrative features
• Best Short Film -- Academy Award-qualifying
• Audience Award -- the Enzian's famously enthusiastic audiences
• Best Florida Film

Festival History

Florida Film Festival was founded in 1992 at the Enzian Theater and has operated continuously since then, building one of the Southeast's most loyal festival communities.

See Also

For Florida film culture, see Film Locations. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.