Cinema meets paradise at the Vero Beach Film Festival

A prestigious award for Hollywood royalty and a world premier from local talent will open the Vero Beach Film Festival, which not only returns for its seventh year but promises to live up to its objective to surprise, inspire, and transform movie-goers April 11-14, in Vero Beach.

Sally Kirkland, a veteran stage and film actor whose celebrated career spans 50 years will be only the fourth recipient of the VBFF Lifetime Achievement. Burt Reynolds, George Takai and Jeffrey Lyons were previous honorees.

Xaque Gruber, filmmaker, fine artist, author, TV and film screen writer and Huff Post contributor, will premier “Sallywood,” his first full length feature film as writer and director, telling the story of his time as a personal assistant to Ms. Kirkwood. A Vero Beach resident, Gruber won the Audience Choice Award for Best Comedy Short at the VBFF in 2022.

The four-day event is a dynamic celebration of independent film making and the artists who have a passion to tell a unique story, explore fresh perspectives and share the process of bringing their vision to life. This year more than 450 movies were submitted for consideration in the categories of full length documentary and narrative features; dramatic, comedic and documentary shorts; and two specialized categories for student filmmakers and local filmmakers. Organizers narrowed the field down to 77 films. A panel of industry professionals will jury the submissions and awards in each category will be presented opening night.

Audiences will have a chance to vote for favorites during the festival and winners will be announced at the Festival Wrap Party.

“Our festival is more than just a showcase of films; it is also a platform for filmmakers and audiences to connect, exchange ideas, and inspire each other,” said David Yakir, executive director. “This year we are inaugurating a lecture and panel series, Empowering The Filmmaker, to make this event truly a filmmakers' festival.”

In addition to screenings at five venues in central Vero Beach, dinners, dancing and a grand wine tasting are planned throughout the festival weekend.

The Vero Beach Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) arts organization that celebrates independent filmmaking and enriches our community, both culturally and economically. For more information and to purchase film passes, visit vbfilmfest.org, email info@vbfilmfest.org or call 772-444-2827.

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