Key West Film Festival to Present Community ‘Freebie’ Films | Full Fest Program Now Revealed

Along with announcing that the complete Key West Film Festival program, with events, dates, times and ticket information is now published and available at kwfilmfest.com, producers of the Fest – which runs November 20-24 at the Tropic Cinema and other Old Town locations – have announced two ‘Community Freebie’ outdoor screenings to bookend the Festival, both ocean-side events taking place at Lagerheads Key West Beach Bar, 0 Simonton Street.

At 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 19, a good ‘ol fashioned Florida fright-flick titled ‘CRAWL’ (rated R for ‘bloody creature violence and brief language’) sets a father/daughter team against a pair of alligators during a Cat 5 hurricane. Sit and watch on the beach, or in provided seats on the water – if you dare.

At 7:00pm Sunday, November 24, the Festival continues its tradition of closing with a free concert film, this year with a 20th Anniversary showing of the classic homage to Cuban music, ‘Buena Vista Social Club.’ Admission is free for both ocean-side showings, with happy hour priced drinks available for VIP and All-Access Pass holders.

While ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ marks the Festival’s conclusion, it is not the only film on the program that celebrates Cuba and its cultural connections to Key West. This year, the first ever “Havana at the Key West Film Festival Shorts Program” makes its debut, showcasing four award-winning Cuban short films created by rising filmmakers living and working in Havana, the USA, and Spain, and starring some of Cuba’s most renowned talent. The shorts, which will be screened on Saturday, November 23, will accompany a screening of the documentary “Errol Flynn’s Ghost: Hollywood in Havana” by Florida filmmaker Gaspar González, who transports the audience back to the 1940s and ’50s Golden Age of Hollywood in Havana, when Cuba’s capital boasted more movie theaters than New York City and showed mostly Hollywood fare.

And while most film experiences conjure up a taste for fresh buttered popcorn, some, of course, are destined for bagels, such as the KWFF ‘Kibbitz With Critics’ series, where audiences are treated to bagels prior to a film being introduced by a noted critic. Also just announced, Miami-raised Lulu Wang, writer and director of “The Farewell” a “funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie,’ will Skype in for a Q&A with Jen Yamato of the “Los Angeles Times” following a screening of the film on Friday, November 22 as part of the series. Yes, coffee will be served too.

Now in its 8th year, the Key West Film Festival, considered a vital stop on the award season’s fall festival circuit, showcases dozens of curated cinematic offerings while highlighting visiting filmmakers, actors, directors, and industry leaders through discussions and workshops, with access to some of the biggest names in the film business. Red-carpet events, parties and award ceremonies round out a world-class festival experience.

Stay abreast of KWFF announcements by signing up for e-blasts at kwfilmfest.com, where event passes, including VIP, All-Access, and Auteur options are now available. (Limited one-day passes and individual tickets are pending seat availability for all films and events.) For more information, visit kwfilmfest.com or contact Carla Turner, Tropic Cinema Marketing Director at [email protected].

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