The 12th annual Key West Film Festival’s lineup includes major films from Sofia Coppola, Wim Wenders, Aki Kaurasmaki, Matthew Heineman, Andrew Haigh, Lisa Cortes and Angus MacLachlan. More than 75 films will be shown during the festival, which runs through Nov. 19.
The Key West Film Festival celebrates contemporary cinema with screenings, special events and celebrity appearances at venues throughout Key West. A full schedule is at keywestff.com.
This year’s production also welcomes and honors Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran, who designed the costumes for “Barbie.” She will receive the festival’s Golden Key Award that recognizes excellence in the industry.
The festival strives to showcase the best of Florida filmmaking talent, while highlighting visiting filmmakers and industry leaders through discussions and workshops, with access to some of the biggest names in the film business. The festival also looks to support the next generation of local student filmmakers with scholarships and other key awards.
The festival’s Critics’ Focus program, enhanced with the juried Critics’ Prize, together with the Costume Design Focus, marks the Key West Film Festival as a stop on the awards season’s fall festival circuit, with programs designed to support film criticism and craft while giving audiences context and perspective through public conversations guided by expert voices.
A. Brooke Christian, founder and chair of the Key West Film Festival, writes, “We are more excited than ever to bring you the 12th iteration of the Key West Film Festival. While encouraging people to get back to the movies in person has been a struggle, moviemakers have given us so many compelling reasons to return.
“This year saw the release of ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ and people (finally) turned out in droves. 2023 may in fact become ‘the year people came back to the movies.’
“The film lineup is as competitive as attendees have come to expect. Our shorts program features the strongest group of films we have had since the festival started a dozen years ago. The Spotlight roster has great balance and offers something for everyone.
“Prepare to be amazed. A special thanks to all of you — from the local community and from the 24 different countries from which visitors have come to support us over the years. We
look forward to seeing you again this week, where passion meets paradise.”
