MIAMI – The Miami Film Festival is back, bringing a star-studded lineup and a celebration of cinema right to our backyard.
The festival is put on by Miami Dade College.
There is so much going on from now until next week.
From Hollywood heavyweights to homegrown talent, this year’s festival has a little something for the movie buff in you.
“Every year, I say this is the biggest edition yet, and this year really is the biggest edition yet,” said Lauren Cohen, director of programming for the Miami Film Festival. “We have over 200 films -- I think it’s 120 features and over 80 shorts, a lot of big special guests coming in, a lot of parties, a lot of special events -- so we’re taking it up a notch. It’s going to be incredible.”
The festival will feature actors like Jason Issac, who will be hosting a live podcast, just days after the season finale of “White Lotus.”
Plus Julia Stiles is hitting the red carpet and the director of “Another Simple Favor” will be screening the sequel to his film starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick.
Some local talent will also share the spotlight.
Actress Alina Roberts, who was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, is making her return to the Miami Film Festival in a new movie called “Aguadilla.”
“It’s a very intense film -- drama, immigration … My character Lisa, she got caught in between two complex characters and she discovered things about herself that she didn’t realize,” Roberts explained.
“It’s like a cat and mouse game. Oh my gosh, people are going to love it. And it’s an all local cast and crew, so you know, bringing it back to Miami,” Cohen added.
The festival is making sure to highlight the city where it shines.
“What I’ve been telling people this year is that this is a celebration of Miami,” Cohen said. “We have over 11 feature films that are directed by local filmmakers and filmed in South Florida. We’re taking over the entire city. We have a 20th anniversary of “Pride and Prejudice” taking place at Vizcaya. You can watch it outside in the garden and really immerse yourself in the vibes of the movie.”
You can check out the Miami Film Festival from now until April 13.
For more information, click here.