This is traditionally the weekend when the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival would begin, an annual unspooling of 100+ film titles over more than two weeks dotted with parties and actor appearances at multiple locations across Broward County.
But this year’s FLIFF has been postponed (until Feb. 20-28, details pending) — and in its place is something lighter, faster and possibly more appealing to the modern entertainment consumer: the Savoir-faire Shorts Film Festival.
Much like FLIFF, this festival (can we call it SFSFF?) will screen dozens of comedies, dramas, thrillers, sci-fi, animation and documentaries from around the globe, including more than 40 shot in South Florida. But their run times can be measured in minutes, with multiple films grouped into themed blocks of 90 to 120 minutes each, screening Thursday through Sunday, all at Savor Cinema in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Each block of films costs $10.
Hal Axler, managing director of the Broward County Film Society, said the “overwhelming response” to SFSFF’s debut earlier this year made a second edition a no-brainer.
“These concise, bite-sized films have grown in popularity and proven themselves as powerful storytellers, captivating audiences with their inventive genres and brevity, leaving lasting impressions along the way,” Axler said in a statement.
While there will be compelling stories shared from Paris, Poland, Israel, Iran, Brazil and The Bronx, SFSFF also thinks locally.
Opening night begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with a pre-screening courtyard party and a rare local set by revered Fort Lauderdale jazz guitarist Randy Bernsen. After an opening program of eight short films — the shortest 3 minutes, the longest 19 minutes — the evening will conclude with an after-party with wine, a chocolate fountain and more music. Tickets for the opening-night event cost $30.
Among the films being shown on Thursday will be “N.I.L.ionaires,” written and produced by former University of Miami and NFL football star Phillip Buchanon. The cast includes former Hurricanes teammate Clinton Portis.
On Friday at 7:30 p.m., a group of humorous films called The Comedy Club will be hosted by beloved Fort Lauderdale comedian, screenwriter and director Wil Shriner (“Hoot,” “Frasier,” “Becker,” “Everybody Loves Raymond”).
Saturday’s 10 a.m. block of documentaries will include “Fiddler on the Moon,” a 30-minute short that ponders the question: Will Judaism survive in space? — with help from astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and astronauts Jeffrey Hoffman and Jessica Meir.
Among three blocks of films screening on Sunday under the Made in Broward flag, the first group at 1 p.m. will include “Pastorius.” The 11-minute documentary, written and directed by Jorge Cereghino, profiles Oakland Park-raised jazz genius Jaco Pastorius, featuring interviews with local bassist Kilmo Doome (mentored by Jaco) and former Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine.
Sunday also will include “Practice Squad,” another film written by Phillip Buchanon, screening with a group titled Sunshine Celluloid #2 at 5 p.m. Inspired by the NFL experiences of Buchanon’s brother, ex Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Ed Gant, the film features former UM and NFL star Bryant McKinnie, among others.
Local filmmakers and others will gather on Sunday for the free Taste of Florida reception and panel discussion in the courtyard at 2:30 p.m., where filmmakers can get information on how to finance a project. Participants will include Max Geschwind (Creative Artists Agency), Janet Ellison (Broward Cultural Division), Christy Andreoni (Film Lauderdale) and moderator Dana DellaCamera (Arts Accelerator). Perhaps most important, the buffet will be provided by local favorite Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Savoir-faire Shorts Film Festival
WHEN: Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 6-9
WHERE: Savor Cinema, 503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; parking is free via the entrance to the Broward County Courthouse Garage at the north end of Southeast Fifth Avenue
COST: Films will screen in blocks of 90-120 minutes, with $10 tickets for each block. Tickets to opening-night films at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, with pre-screening reception and after-party, cost $30.
INFORMATION: FLIFF.com/shorts
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell.