Long a staple of the fall cultural calendar, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is returning in a new, permanent late-winter window, with Feb. 20-28 screenings and scheduled appearances by actors including Terrence Howard, Chevy Chase, Paul Reiser and Jamie Kennedy and artist-conservationist Guy Harvey.
This will be the 40th annual edition of the festival, and change is a theme: Along with its new home in February, FLIFF will be a leaner affair, with a nip here and a tuck there, some changes having been long discussed, other moves coming in response to cuts in state and federal support.
This also will be the first festival in more than 30 years not curated with help from former FLIFF president and CEO Gregory Von Hausch, who left shortly before the 2024 festival to take a job in Hawaii. The 2025 festival was postponed until this year.
FLIFF 40 will show more than 50 features and documentaries at venues across Broward County, with most high-profile screenings taking place at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale. For those keeping score, the 50+ films represent less than half of the lineup at FLIFF last time out.
But FLIFF managing director Hal Axler says the number is misleading: Many of the short films that would typically plump up the festival were redirected to FLIFF’s new Savoir-faire Shorts Film Festival, which showed more than 100 titles across four days in November.
There will be no repeat of 2024’s celebrity-packed, opening-night gala at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood — in its place this year will be a red-carpet block party at Savor Cinema for a Feb. 21 showing of “Miami Nights,” with stars Terrence Howard, Danay Garcia and other cast members on hand.
The historic romance of Savor Cinema — in a building more than 75 years old that once housed the First Methodist Church of Fort Lauderdale — is more consistent with the intimate art-house atmosphere of FLIFF, Axler says.
“Everyone loves Savor,” he says.
FLIFF / Courtesy
Historic Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale will be at the center of the action during the 40th annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on Feb. 20-28. (FLIFF/Courtesy)
The nonprofit festival has long been a showcase for global filmmakers and art-house titles. It was among the first U.S. venues to screen “The Artist,” a French-Belgian silent film that went on to win the Best Picture Oscar in 2012. But FLIFF 40 seems intent on being accessible to a wider audience.
Among the unique events will be a free screening on Monday, Feb. 23, of “Mr. Goalie,” a documentary about the late NHL Hall Of Fame goaltender Glenn Hall, on the ice at the Florida Panthers’ Baptist Health IcePlex. A screening of the documentary “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not” will include a “Caddyshack”-themed party with Chase in attendance.
The lineup also includes a wacky comedy about wrestling fans starring Paula Abdul and a comic showdown between Paul Reiser and Colm Meaney set in Ireland, as well as compelling documentaries about heroes of the Holocaust and the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
“There’s a really strong variety, everything from some very serious documentaries and topical feature films, but also a lot of really good, just fun comedy films as well. I think the variety is maybe broader than it’s been,” says Axler, who curated the festival with longtime FLIFF film programmer Rob Davis.
The move of FLIFF from its traditional November window to February is also an attempt to be more convenient for filmgoers, Axler says. The change, which he says had been under consideration for several years, removes the festival from the distraction of elections, hurricane-related travel issues and the shadow of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
“We’re certainly thrilled so far with the way ticket sales are going,” Axler says. Indeed, by the time you read this, films scheduled with appearances by Chase, Reiser and Harvey are likely to be sold out. Additional screenings for some films are being added.
Here are things to know before you go to FLIFF 40, including a list of standout films and events to see.
Tickets
Prices vary by film, with general-admission tickets for typical screenings ranging from $6 to $13. Films with receptions and other special features may carry an extra charge. Memberships, which come with discounted tickets to films and other events, start at $100. For more information on tickets, visit FLIFF.com or call the Savor Cinema box office at 954-525-3456.
Venues
Savor Cinema: 503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale
Cinema Paradiso: 2008 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Paragon Theaters Ridge: 9200 W. State Road 84, Davie
Paragon Theaters Deerfield Beach: 3984 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach
African American Research Library and Cultural Center: 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Alvin Sherman Library, Nova Southeastern University: 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd., Davie
Flamingo Gardens: 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie
Baptist Health IcePlex: 800 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale
AutoNation IMAX Theater at Museum of Discovery & Science: 401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
Highlights
Among myriad films and events on the schedule at FLIFF 40, here are a baker’s dozen worth noting, in chronological order. Unless otherwise noted, all of these screenings are at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale. Many of these films and others will have multiple screenings throughout the festival. A complete schedule can be found at FLIFF.com.
“Inside the Oasis”: Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. World premiere of a 47-minute documentary subtitled “The Story of South Florida’s Gay Mecca,” which traces more than 60 years of history in Wilton Manors and Broward County as an LGBTQ+ “oasis.” Actor Sharon Gless narrates, describing the film as “a tribute and warning of what was, what is and what could be again.” Among the locals appearing in the film are U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, State Sen. Shevrin Jones and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis. Director Andy Perrott is scheduled to attend. Tickets: $8.
“Miami Nights”: Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. FLIFF’s formal opening-night feature is a crime thriller, shot on location in Miami, about two dishonorably discharged war heroes whose attempt to rebuild their lives draws them into a plot to steal a diamond. It stars Terrence Howard (Oscar nominated in “Hustle & Flow”), Jeremy Sumpter, Thomas Jane, Jeremy Piven and Danay Garcia, with an original score by Serj Tankian, Grammy-winning frontman of System of a Down. This world-premiere screening will be preceded at 6 p.m. by red-carpet arrivals at Savor Cinema, with a post-film block party and a Q&A session with Howard, Sumpter, Garcia and cast members Sydelle Noel and John Lewis. Tickets: $50.
Terrence Howard will attend opening-night festivities at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. (Damian Dovarganes/AP file)
“Raging Midlife”: Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m., Paragon Deerfield Beach. A screwball comedy about two midlifers on a quest to recover “the greatest trophy in entertainment sports history” — a tank top from their favorite old-school wrestler, Raging Abraham Lincoln. If that were not enough, its stars include Paula Abdul, Eddie Griffin and Walter Koenig, the original Chekov of “Star Trek” fame. Says Axler: “It’s just a really, really funny comedy about, you know, these two 40-year-olds who are obsessing over a wrestler from the 1980s and trying to meet him. That’s what I mean when I talk about variety. It’s the least likely film you’d be expecting to play at a film festival.” Director Rob Taylor and co-writer Nic Costa are expected to be on hand for the screening and a Q&A session, joined by cast members Bryna Smith and Matt Zak. Tickets: $6.
“My Underground Mother”: Sunday, Feb. 22, at noon. An extraordinary documentary from journalist Marisa Fox, who discovered that her late mother, a New York doctor’s wife who always claimed she fled Poland in time to avoid the Holocaust, had kept a secret until the end. In researching a story that spans the globe, Fox uncovers her mother’s true experience from Nazi slave to freedom fighter, from refugee to spy and saboteur. Says Axler: “She finds out … that her mother kind of had a heroic role during the Holocaust. You know, one of those things you don’t find out until after the fact, as we do with our parents, it seems. … I love anything about history and I love the storytelling in that one.” Fox is scheduled to take part in a post-screening Q&A session. Tickets: $13.
“Land of the Mustaches”: Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. This compelling autobiographical documentary by actor and writer Rutanya Alda (“The Deer Hunter,” “Mommie Dearest”) recounts her experience as a child growing up in refugee camps with her mother and grandmother after World War II, starving and stateless, and how she triumphed over this dark history. The screening and 1:30 p.m. reception will include a special guest appearance by Alda. Tickets: $6.
“Mr. Goalie”: Sunday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m. at Savor Cinema; Monday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. at Baptist Health IcePlex. Documentary by Florida Atlantic University graduate Ryan McInerney on the life and career of NHL Hall of Famer Glenn Hall, who played goaltender without wearing a mask. Hall died in January at age 94. The film will make its U.S. debut on Feb. 22 with McInerney joined by NHL legends Scotty Bowman and Gerry Cheevers, among others. On Feb. 23, the Florida Panthers will host a free 7 p.m. screening at the IcePlex with numerous NHL players expected to attend the film and after-party. They include legendary goaltenders Martin Brodeur, Grant Fuhr, Darren Pang and Mike Vernon, as well as NHL Hall of Famer Mark Recchi and former Panthers general manager Dale Tallon. Tickets for the Feb. 22 screening cost $20; the Feb. 23 screening is free.
“Uvalde Mom”: Sunday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m., Paragon Theaters Deerfield Beach. A profile of Angeli Gomez, a mother who captured national attention when, in the face of police inaction, she rushed into an elementary school to save her two sons from a mass shooting that left 21 dead in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022. Gomez is expected to attend the screening in its Florida premiere with filmmaker Anayansi Prado, who also wrote and produced the film. Tickets: $13.
Angeli Rose Gomez, shown placing roses down at a memorial dedicated to 19 children and two adults murdered at a Texas elementary school in 2022, plans to attend a screening of the documentary “Uvalde Mom.” (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“California Scenario”: Sunday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. A story of intergenerational trauma and healing told through the eyes of a Japanese American father whose forebears were incarcerated during World War II and a Jewish-American mother descended from Holocaust survivors. A pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m. will include cast members Will Yun Lee (“The Good Doctor”), Jon Huertas (“This Is Us”), Brooklynn Prince (“The Florida Project”), Abby Miller (“Home Before Dark”) and Minnie Mills (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”), along with director James Takata. Tickets: $13.
“The Problem With People”: Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. A culture-clash comedy set in a small town in Ireland about cousins previously unknown to each other — one from America (Paul Reiser) and one from Ireland (Colm Meaney) — and a simmering family dispute that they seem committed to making worse. Reiser (“Diner,” “Mad About You,” “Stranger Things”) is scheduled to be on hand for an Irish-themed party at 6:30 p.m. and a post-film discussion led by writer-comedian Wil Shriner. Tickets: $40.
“Hello Beautiful”: Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Based on model and breast cancer survivor Christine Handy’s novel “Walk Beside Me,” the film follows a model, Willow (Tricia Helfer of “Battlestar Galactica”), on her journey after a breast cancer diagnosis. The cast also includes Tarek Bishara (“Law & Order SVU”) and Susan Shalhoub Larkin (“Stranger Things,” “Sleepy Hollow”). The evening will include a 6:30 p.m. reception and book signing with Handy and director Ziad H. Hamzeh. Tickets: $20.
“I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not”: Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. This deeply human documentary about flawed and enigmatic film and “Saturday Night Live” icon Chevy Chase, from CNN Films, is one of the must-see films of FLIFF 40. The evening will include a “Caddyshack”-themed, red-carpet arrival at 6 p.m. and a post-film Q&A session with Chase, recipient of the 2026 FLIFF Lifetime Achievement Award, and intrepid filmmaker Marina Zenovich. Tickets: $40.
“Wingman”: Friday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. This comedy, directed by actor-comedian Harland Williams, follows a stuck-in-the-’80s wingman-for-hire struggling to find hook-ups for his clients. Comedians Jamie Kennedy and Russell Peters co-star. The screening will include a 6:30 p.m. reception and post-film Q&A session with Kennedy, as well as co-writer Justin Levine. Tickets: $15.
Actor and comedian Jamie Kennedy will appear at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival with the film “Wingman.” (FLIFF/Courtesy)
“Guy Harvey: The Documentary”: Saturday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m., Museum of Discovery & Science, Fort Lauderdale. This dazzling documentary follows Guy Harvey from his boyhood in Jamaica, fishing and creating sketches of the majestic blue marlin, through his training as a marine biologist and evolution into a famous wildlife artist and prominent advocate for ocean conservation at the Guy Harvey Oceanographic Research Center at Nova Southeastern University. The world-premiere screening on the IMAX screen at MODS includes red-carpet arrivals at 5:30 p.m., cocktails and a Q&A after-party with Harvey and director Nick Nanton. Tickets: $50 (sold out); tickets for a second screening at 2 p.m. March 1 cost $13.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.