Stars, local filmmakers share Miami Film Festival spotlight
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Courtesy: Miami Film Festival
You can hear from Hollywood stars, support local filmmakers and watch world premieres at the Miami Film Festival, which returns this week.
Why it matters: This year's festival comes as local leaders hope to revive Miami-Dade County's once-powerful position in the movie industry, which has diminished since Florida ended its film incentive program in 2016.
- A $50 million county film incentive program, which launched last year, is helping "put Miami back on the production map," Variety says.
Driving the news: Miami Dade College's long-running celebration of cinema features roughly 200 films from over 45 countries and conversations with "Before Sunrise" star Julie Delpy, "White Lotus" actor Jason Isaacs and more.
- The festival, which runs from April 3-13, will show 35 world premieres and new work from Miami-based filmmakers.
Here's a sampling of screenings and events to check out.
Opening film – "Meet the Barbarians:" Delpy's French comedic drama follows the story of a small town that accepts Ukrainian refugees in exchange for government subsidies and the conflict that unfolds when Syrian migrants arrive instead.
- Thursday, April 3. 7pm at the Olympia Theater.
- The screening will be preceded by the presentation of the festival's Impact Award to Delpy, who directs and stars in the movie.
- Tickets $37.
Sex, Love and Violence (Comedy Shorts Block): A series of short comedies from around the world.
- Friday, April 4. 6:30pm. Silverspot Cinema, Room 12.
- $18.
"Before Sunrise" – 30th Anniversary Screening: Delpy, who stars in the 1995 film with Ethan Hawke, will give an extended introduction before the screening.
- Friday, April 4. 9:30pm. Regal South Beach.
- $28.
"Know Me – The Untold Miami Bath Salts Phenomenon:" The 2025 film attempts to shed light on the grisly 2012 attack of a local unhoused man by Rudy Eugene, whom the media dubbed the "Miami Zombie."
- Miami director and actor Edson Jean developed and co-wrote the film with Markenson Charles, Eugene's younger brother, who was killed by police after the attack.
- Despite speculation that Eugene had ingested the street drug known as "bath salts," a medical examiner found only marijuana in his system.
- Monday, April 7 at 7:30pm at the Little Haiti Cultural Center and Friday, April 11 at 9pm at Silverspot Cinema, Room 12.
- $18.
"The Python Hunt:" South Florida filmmaker Xander Robins documents Florida's annual python removal contest in the Everglades.
- Wednesday, April 9 at 9pm, Koubek Theater. Saturday, April 12 at 2:30pm at the Bill Cosford Cinema.
- $18.
A Conversation with Melanie Lynskey: The "Yellowjackets" star will receive the Miami Film Festival Precious Gem Award and discuss her career, including her latest role in the upcoming "Pike River."
- Saturday, April 12, 1pm. MDC Wolfson, Chapman Center.
- $23.
Closing film – "On Swift Horses:" Daisy Edgar-Jones and Jacob Elordi star in this film about a married couple's California life after the Korean War.
- Saturday, April 12. 7pm.
- $32.
Go deeper: See the full schedule