Melissa Donovan
The 34th Annual Florida Film Festival will take place from April 11 to April 20, presenting over 160 films across ten days at the Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida, and Regal Winter Park Village. As an Oscar®-qualifying festival, it features a curated selection of independent, international, and regional films representing a wide range of voices and genres.
A Global Selection of Films
For 2025, the Florida Film Festival received 2,919 submissions from 119 countries. A programming committee selected 183 films representing 41 countries, encompassing a variety of formats including feature-length films, documentaries, animated shorts, and Florida-based productions.
The festival offers attendees the opportunity to view films that may not be widely released, with content ranging from experimental narratives to genre-specific storytelling. In addition to film screenings, the event hosts panels, filmmaker Q&As, and social gatherings at the Enzian Theater’s Eden Bar.
Opening Night Screenings
April 11, 2025, marks the start of the festival, with two highlighted screenings:
Stolen Kingdom – Opening Night Feature
Directed by Joshua Bailey, Stolen Kingdom explores events related to unauthorized activity within Walt Disney World. The film covers reported incidents involving the park’s urban exploration community and examines a case of stolen property linked to theme park memorabilia. Bailey, a filmmaker from Tampa, will be present for the screening. Stolen Kingdom is his debut feature.
Rushmore – Opening Night Short
Created by a group of filmmakers from ESMA, a French film school, Rushmore is a short fictional narrative involving two gas station owners who pursue an unusual contest prompted by a radio announcement. The short is presented in partnership with Coterie Coffee Co., representing Shudder (AMC).
Additional Festival Information
In addition to film screenings, the festival includes:
Director and crew appearances
Educational panels and discussions
Food and beverage offerings at Eden Bar
Special event programming such as midnight screenings and themed film blocks
The full schedule, ticketing options, and additional details can be found at FloridaFilmFestival.com.
The Florida Film Festival continues to serve as a platform for independent filmmakers and a space for audiences to explore a range of perspectives through film. The 2025 edition maintains its focus on storytelling, cultural exchange, and creative expression through cinema.
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