“Management” Leads Florida Film Fest’s 18th Lineup

The 18th annual Florida Film Festival, which runs March 27 - April 5, has announced its lineup, with 160 films joining this year’s roster from 1,400 submissions by American and international filmmakers. This selection includes works represented from 19 countries including 40 world premieres, five North American premieres and four U.S. premieres.

Opening the festival, which takes place in Winter Park and Orlando, FL is first-time feature director Stephen Belber’s “Management,” starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, and Woody Harrelson. The film tells the comedic love story between Sue (Aniston), “a buttoned-down corporate art dealer” and Mike (Zahn), “a small-town aimless dreamer.” 

“‘Management’ is an endearing multi-layered film with wonderfully eccentric characters who make the most improbable kind of love seem possible,” said Matthew Curtis, programming director, in a statement. “Audiences will leave hopeful and thoroughly entertained.”

Additional films screening at the Florida Film Festival include Marc Webb’s “500 Days of Summer,” Guillermo Arriaga’s “The Burning Plain,” Derick Martini’s “Lymelife,” Sean Baker’s “Prince of Broadway,” So Yong Kim’s “Treeless Mountain,” Doug Pray’s “Art & Copy,” Geoffrey Smith’s “The English Surgeon,” Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s “The Garden,” Kimberly Reed’s “Prodigal Sons,” Zach Shaffer and Steve Saporito’s “Squeezebox,” Martin Provost’s “Seraphine,” and Blake Sennett’s “Water Pills.”

Academy Award nominated film director Ken Russell and best-selling author and Food Network star, Cat Cora will be among the attendees during the Opening Night Film and Party. Russell will be honored for his classic, “Crimes of Passion,” at “An Evening with Ken Russell and Barry Sandler” on Saturday, March 28. “Especially considering the theme of this year’s festival and the title of our opening night film and party, ‘Original Cinema and Forbidden Fruit,’ we’re thrilled to host two individuals who have pushed the boundaries of their craft and made a significant impact in the process,” said Sigrid Tiedtke, President & CEO of the Enzian Theater which produces the annual festival in a statement. “Having the US premiere of ‘Management’ as this year’s opening night film ensures the entire evening will be an event to remember.”

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As an additional component of the festival’s “Forbidden Film” showcase, “An Evening with Glenn Close” will include the screening of “Fatal Attraction,” followed by an “intimate speaking engagement” with Close. “Friday evening will be a once in a lifetime experience for our audience,” added Tiedtke in a statement. “It is Florida Film Festival’s goal to bring exciting, iconic films and events to the community and we’re happy this year will be one festival-goers will never forget.” For a complete list of films and events, please visit the festival’s website.   Login to recommend this article » posted on March 11, 2009 Films to Snag Login to Leave a Comment »