The Annual Key West Film Festival is a phenomenal event to get involved in if visiting Key West in November. This film festival is a celebration of the arts in the Key West community with the medium of film. These films display the creativity that lies within the Key West locals, and shows the talents of many other filmmakers from around the world.
Every year, this film festival of Key West displays the work of both up and coming, and established directors, writers, and actors. There are usually different genres and broad ideas. All audience members have given great feedback of the event, as well as the filmmakers themselves. In the past there has been notable directors, filmmakers, and actors that have come to the Key West Film Fest, including James Franco(127 Hours; Freaks and Geeks), John Waters(Hairspray; famous voice actor; writer), Billy Corben (Cocaine Cowboys),Terry George (Hotel Rwanda) and Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby; Crash) to name a few.
The Key West Film Festival is still relatively young, being that the first Film Festival was held in November 2012, but don’t confuse this event, it’s got a huge following and loyal visitors for it every year already. In 2012, the Film Festival sold over 2,000 tickets for movie showings, and that was just the first year. Another fun aspect of this is the Tropic Cinema has a 72-Hour Short Film challenge for participants to pick a genre, write a script, film and it within 72 hours to be entered into the competition. It’s an interesting competition, and has a huge draw for this category.
The Key West Film Festival also gives out awards for achievements in filmmaking, and creativity. Some of the categories include Best Narrative, Best LGBT Film, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Florida Film, 72 Hour Short Film Audience Award, Key West Film Festival Audience Award, and Tropic Cinema Career Achievement Award, which went to Paul Haggis in 2013.
The Key West Film Festival is always looking for help and donations, and can always use the help of volunteers for the weekend of the events. Donations made to the Key West Film Festival funding also leads to perks! Become a KWFF Friend (starting at $50 donations), and receive Key West Film Festival swag, and discounts! Become a KWFF Keyholder (starting at $1,000 contributions), and receive preferential treatment, access to VIP events, and admissions to Opening Night Reception. For more information on the event and how to get involved, visit the official Key West Film Festival website.
The Key West Film Festival just proves that there are so many events and things to do in Key West!