Florida's Film, Television and the Arts Magazine
The 35th Florida Film Festival, And So It Begins!
The 35th Florida Film Festival is upon us. Though the world seems to be getting less inclusive, the 2026 FFF is going in the opposite direction. Featuring films helmed by more women and LGBTQ directors, from even more countries than in any of the past 34 years, you'll certainly find something to entice you into the Enzian or Regal Winter Park theaters.
Opening night is April 10 and in addition to featuring talk-backs and meet-n-greets with actors, producers, writers and first-time directors, who are always THE most excited guests of the fest, every year Orlando gets big names as special guests. This year is no exception, as Paul Giamatti will be attending the Fest on Sunday, April 12, with a special screening of Sideways! Mr. Giamatti’s awards include a Primetime Emmy, three Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Academy Award nominations and the Independent Spirit Award for Sideways!
In-Focus Magazine has been covering the FFF since year one, bringing you our thoughts on some of the films we’ve pre-screened in the weeks before Opening Night. Let’s jump right in with the eagerly-anticipated new Soderbergh film The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. Like many of the featured films, you should catch it at the Fest before it’s in wide release.
Julian Sklar’s (McKellen) works sell for millions, yet he hasn’t painted anything new in years. His avaricious offspring, now almost broke, hatch a scheme: hire an unknown yet talented artist (Coel) to complete eight unfinished portraits, ‘The Christophers’, which they will sell to a wealthy buyer. Sklar uncovers the plot, and a bitingly funny test of wills between all involved parties begins. Though Sklar ponders achieving immortality for his talent, he’d rather destroy his work than have his reputation ruined at the tail-end of his life.
The FFF also loves music docs and this year is no different. Peter and Gordon, the duo behind “I Go To Pieces” and “A World Without Love”, along with The Stones, The Kinks and The Animals, were part of the swinging sixties British Invasion. Yes, of course it was sparked by The Beatles US arrival in 1964. Well, Peter Asher: Everywhere Man, is the doc starring that Peter.
It’s an entertaining retrospective of the musicians who influenced this multiple-Grammy award-winning record producer, and the musicians who then achieved greatness through his talent. It’s really the ultimate ‘pass it on’. Asher’s creative vision shaped artists like Rondstadt, Taylor, Cher and Neil Diamond. If you enjoyed Denny Tedesco’s previous FFF audience favorites, The Wrecking Crew and Immediate Family, Peter Asher: Everywhere Man is a ‘yeah, Baby!’
Actor Mads Mikkelsen is an actor on whom directors count to give a stellar performance, whether he’s a Bond villain, a cannibal or an alcoholic educator. Getting deep into each character, he always has an uncomfortable edge to his scenes. In The Last Viking, Mads plays second-fiddle to Nikolaj Lie Kaas. It’s bloody and violent, yet also filled with absolute whimsy. Manfred, younger brother to Anker, is autistic. Before Anker is imprisoned for a botched robbery, Manfred is told to hide the loot. Fifteen years pass; Manfred now goes by the name John .. Lennon. Anker is released and wants the cash but can’t deal with ‘John’s’ new identity. Filled with quirky characters, The Last Viking, with a central theme of self-identity, felt a little weak, but I’m still mad about Mads.
