Film buffs can meet and honor actor, director and producer Burt Reynolds and view several dozen cinematic offerings Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 16-20, during the 2016 Key West Film Festival.
The renowned annual festival features nonstop afternoon and evening screenings, multiple spotlight presentations and question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers, stars, critics and industry insiders.
Highlights are to include the presentation of a Career Achievement Award to Reynolds, as well as a special screening of the acclaimed documentary “The Bandit,” a CMT original from filmmaker Jesse Moss. “The Bandit” explores the making of the unlikely smash hit, “Smokey & The Bandit,” as well as 1970s superstar Reynolds and his best friend and stunt double, Hal Needham.
The festival’s second annual Critics Focus program is to be led by David Fear, senior film/TV editor of Rolling Stone magazine; and Amy Nicholson, chief film critic of MTV. As part of the program, Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea” will be presented followed by a conversation with Fear and Nicholson.
Participating critics, including Eugene Hernandez and Brian Brooks of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Eric Kohn of online entertainment publication Indiewire, will be the jury for the first annual Key West Film Festival Critic’s Prize to be awarded to the festival’s best film.
In addition, critics will lead audience discussions with filmmakers and talent, offer insights during a dynamic midfestival event dubbed the Porch Chat, and curate a special programming selection of LGBT films titled “One Key West.”
The Key West Film Festival also is to award the second annual Brett Ratner Florida Film Scholarship to a Florida student filmmaker. The $5,000 scholarship was conceived to recognize aspiring filmmakers, their vision and their heritage.
Throughout the festival films are to be screened at island landmarks including the historic San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St.; the Key West Theater, 512 Eaton St.; and the Waterfront Brewery, 201 William St. The full schedule of films and show times will be posted at www.keywestfilmfestival.com.
Festival social events are to take place at the former Key West home of literary legend Ernest Hemingway, the southernmost mansion in the continental United States and other venues.