Last Updated on April 26, 2024
There are lots of wonderful film festivals in Florida — each one with its own personality.
Film Festivals provide a unique opportunity to watch independent movies you may not see elsewhere.
Many festivals offer attendees an up-close and personal perspective of the whole filmmaking process.
By providing Q&As with the actual filmmakers and actors following the screening of their short film, documentary, feature-length film, animation, and/or music video, it’s an unforgettable experience for all.
Attending a film festival is a wonderful networking opportunity for people trying to break into the entertainment industry, seasoned veterans willing to share their experience and wisdom as well as your garden variety film lover.
Several of these film festivals showcase Florida-based films and Florida filmmakers.
Many film festivals rely on volunteers to operate, so do not hesitate to get involved and be a part of the magic.
If there is no info on their website, give them a call or drop them an email inquiring about volunteer opportunities.
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Whether you’re a filmmaker or a film enthusiast, check out this list of film festivals:
January 2024 Festivals
Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
“The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival features 40+ nature documentaries all making their Florida premiere and 4 making their world premiere.
See beautiful images of cockatoos, elephants, gorillas, jaguars, koalas, killer whales, manatees, monkeys, ocelots, and more. You can even chat with the filmmakers.”
Date: January 12, 2024 through January 21, 2024
Location: Naples
Saint Augustine Film Festival
“One of the most popular attractions in Saint Augustine every January is the Saint Augustine Film Festival (SAFF). The festival’s reputation has grown within the film industry and among film fans as the most historic location for showing unique INDIE Films. This recognition allows SAFF to provide their festival attendees some of the most acclaimed Independent Films of the year.”
Date: January 11-14, 2024
Location: Various locations in Saint Augustine
After School Film Institute Future in Film Festival
“The 5th Annual ASFI Future in Films Festival 2024 is a single evening cultural event celebrating the artistic and technical achievements of young (13-18 years old) filmmakers from South Florida. Taking place in Miami, the event consists of an evening of short film screenings, and filmmaker Q&As, and it will be an opportunity for young filmmakers to do networking.”
Date: January 26, 2024
Location: Mary Anne Wolfe Theatre, FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, Miami
February 2024 Festivals
Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival
“Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival – One of the largest and longest Jewish Film Festivals in the United State”
Date: February 10, 2024 through March 4, 2024
Location: Boca Raton
Love Your Shorts Film Festival
“The February festival, founded in 2010 to embrace and appreciate the art of the short film, was first shown at the Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce. Since then it has been presented at the 1923 Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, one of a handful of historic theaters remaining in Florida. During the festival, film fans can view films up to 30 minutes each in a variety of categories and attend film workshops.”
Date: February 15-18, 2024
Location: 201 South Magnolia Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
March 2024 Festivals
Valencia 28th Annual Film Celebration
“Each year, Valencia College’s nationally recognized and acclaimed film program hosts an amazing event that showcases some of Valencia’s finest feature films, as well as short films made possible in part by our own film students. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the current film student’s short film productions and a scholarship fund for future students.”
Date: March 2, 2024
Where: Valencia College
Reel Deal Film Festival
“The Reel Deal Film Festival is an independent film festival based in Volusia County, Florida’s scenic and hip seaside town, New Smyrna Beach.”
Dates: March 14, 2024 through March 17, 2024
Location: Brannon Center New Smyrna Beach
While in the area, enjoy the Best Places to Eat in New Smyrna Beach.
Gasparilla International Film Festival
“The Gasparilla International Film Festival is run by the 501(C)3 Nonprofit Organization, The Tampa Film Institute, Inc. They are a cultural arts institution that inspires, educates, and entertains Tampa Bay’s diverse population through an annual celebration of film.”
Date: March 21-24, 2024
Location: Tampa Theater and AMC Westshore will each host some of the films for this event.
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April 2024 Festivals
Sarasota Film Festival
“Held annually in Sarasota, FL, The Sarasota Film Festival emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and events, with more than 200 films screened each year including features, documentaries, shorts, and kid-friendly picks.”
Date: April 5, 2024 through April 15, 2024
Location: Variety of Locations in Sarasota
While in the area don’t miss the Top 10 Awesome Things To Do in Sarasota.
Miami Film Festival
“Miami Film Festival is a world-class platform for International, American, and Ibero-American films.”
Date: April 5, 2024 through April 14, 2024
Location: Miami Dade College
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Vero Beach Film Festival
“Enjoy a weekend of Films, Food, and Fine Wines as the Vero Beach Film Festival celebrates its Seventh Festival pairing independent filmmakers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives.
Date: April 11-14, 2024
Location: Various locations in Vero Beach
While in the area, don’t miss the 12+ Best Things to Do in Vero Beach
Jacksonville Film Festival
“The mission of the Jacksonville Film Festival is to celebrate motion pictures by discovering and showcasing new talent.”
Date: April 12-14, 2024
Location: DuPont Centre
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Florida Film Festival
“The Florida Film Festival is presented by Enzian, Central Florida’s full-time, not-for-profit independent cinema, which seeks to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film.”
Dates: April 12, 2024 through April 21, 2024
Location: Orlando
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Outshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival
“Outshine is everything you want in a film festival… inviting, glowing, and eclipsing all others before it. Our mission is to inspire, entertain, and educate; encouraging a sense of community through international and culturally diverse film, video, and other media that offer historical and contemporary perspectives on the LGBTQ+ experience.”
Date: Miami Date – April 18, 2024, through April 28, 2024
Fort Lauderdale October 17, 2024, through October 27, 2024
Location: Miami and Fort Lauderdale
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Sunscreen Film Festival
“Live film festival where attendees mix and mingle with filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, and celebrities in an open and relaxed atmosphere!”
Dates: April 25, 2024 through April 28, 2024
Location – St. Petersburg, Florida
While in the area, don’t miss the Top 5 Things to Do in St. Pete, FL.
Palm Beach Student Showcase of Films
“The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) is the largest statewide film competition and award show for Florida student filmmakers, graphic designers, and digital media artists.”
Date: April 26, 2024
Location: Various locations.
May 2024 Festivals
Orlando International Film Festival
“The Orlando International Film Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit organization seeking to bring unique & diverse stories to the beautiful setting of Orlando.”
Dates: May 15, 2024 through May 19, 2024
Location: Orlando
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Fort Myers Film Festival
Date: May 22, 2024 through May 26, 2024
Location: Fort Myers
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June 2024 Festivals
American Black Film Festival
“Now in its 27th year, the American Black Film Festival is an annual event that empowers Black artists and showcases a wide range of entertainment content made by and about people of African descent.”
Date: June 12, 2024 through June 16, 2024
Location: Miami Beach
July 2024 Festivals
Miami 4 Social Change Youth Film Festival
“Save the date for a dynamic 2-days of a curated selection of stand-out youth films, workshops, master classes, keynote sessions, and red carpet.”
Date: July 18, 2024 – July 19, 2024
Location: Miami Dade College – North Campus; 11380 NW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33167
August 2024 Festivals
Popcorn Frights Film Festival
“Popcorn Frights showcases features and shorts by filmmakers from around the world to an audience of horror lovers and filmmakers, industry, and journalists. ”
Dates: August 8, 2024 through August 18, 2024
Location: Miami Beach
September 2024 Festivals
Global Peace Film Festival
“Each year, the program is carefully curated to create a place for open dialogue, using the films as catalysts for change.”
Date: September 17-22, 2024
Location: Winter Park
Manhattan Short Film Festival
“Over 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across six continents gather for one reason…to view and vote on the Finalists’ Films in the 26th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival.”
Date: September 26, 2024 through October 6, 2024
Location: Delray Beach, Lake Worth, Maitland, St. Petersburg
October 2024 Festivals
Stamped Film Festival
“The Stamped Film Festival highlights the artistic contributions both nationally and internationally of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) films and filmmakers.
The unique ability of film to transcend stereotypes and relate to the viewer opens the door to a dialogue about the LGBTQ experience, building a stronger and more open Pensacola”
Dates: October 3 – 6, 2024
Location: Pensacola
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Freakshow Horror Film Festival
“The FREAK SHOW Horror Film Fest is Orlando’s only horror genre film festival. Their mission is to showcase and celebrate the best independent horror films from all over the world. ”
Date: October 13 – 15, 2024
Location: Epic Theaters Lee Vista – 5901 Hazeltine National Dr. Orlando, FL 32822
Naples International Film Festival
“The Naples International Film Festival is a place for film lovers to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate the art of film in a friendly, welcoming environment.”
Dates: October 24, 2024 through October 27, 2024
Location: Naples
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November 2024 Festivals
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
“Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) presents American indies and studio films, international films, student films, special tributes, seminars and introduces filmmakers to South Florida audiences.”
Date: November 4 – 17, 2024
Location: The festival screens 200 films in Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Hollywood, St Augustine, and The Bahamas.
Additional Florida Film Festivals (Dates updated as announced)
- Sunshine City Film Festival
January 6-15, 2024 - Central Florida Film Festival – January 19th – 21st, 2024
- Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival January 25th – 28th 2024
- Reel Short Teen Film Festival – February 24, 2024
January 6-15, 2024
- Miami Web Fest May 2-5, 2024
- Tallahassee Film Festival August 31, 2024 to September 1, 2024
- Urban Film Festival September 1 – 3, 2024
- Southeast Regional Film Festival September 20, 2024
- South Asian Film Festival October 5-7, 2024
- Treasure Coast International Film Festival October 16 – 20, 2024
- Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival – October 17 – 19, 2024
- Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival December 5 – 8, 2024
- Bizarroland Film Festival– December 12 – 15th, 2024
- Miami Short Film Festival
- Orlando Film Festival
- Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase
- Emerald Coast Film Festival
- I Will Tell International Film Festival
- Emerald Coast Film Festival
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