Events
39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Kicked-off Opening Night.
Ray Romano & Twin Sons, Emily Bett Rickards, Francesca Eastwood, Gavin Casalegno, John Savage, Bill Barrett, Jayce Bartek, Joe Cortese, Sofia Vassilieva and Bob Mackie.
November 17th, 2024
The 39th year of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicked off their 10-day festival with a star-studded opening night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The red carpet dazzled with talent and filmmakers from “Queen of the Ring,” the opening night film, “Romano Twins,” “Beyond the Rush,” “Here’s Yianni!” , “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” and more.
“We are thrilled to present over 100 films & documentaries, Including (8) world premieres and (17) U.S. premieres during the festival.,” says FLIFF President & CEO, Steve Savor.
The evening started with red carpet arrivals including: Ray Romano (CBS’s “Everybody Loves Raymond”); Greg & Matt Romano (“Romano Twins”); Emily Bett Rickards (“Random Acts of Romance”, “Dakota’s Summer”, “Brooklyn”, “Axis”, “Funny Story”, “The Clinic”, “We Need to Talk”, Autumn and the Black Jaguar”, “Clamity Jane”); Francesca Eastwood (“Attention Attention”, “Running on Empty”, “Fargo”); Gavin Casalegno (“The Summer I turned Pretty”, “The Vampire Diaries”); Kailey Latimer (professional wrestler); Bill Barrett (“Fly me to the Moon”, “First Wives Club”); John Savage (“The Deer Hunter”, “The Onion Field” and “Hair”); Jayce Bartok (“The Cake Eaters”, “Now They See Us”); Heather Aboff; Joe Cortese (“Green Book”, “American History X”); Sofia Vassilieva (“The Little Things, “My Sisters Keeper ”); Bob Mackie, fashion and costume designer for Cher, PINK, Carol Burnett and Tom Ford. Mackie has transformed the way fashion is perceived on screen, dressing iconic characters in films such as Barbie and has designed 47 Barbie Dolls for Mattel, turning Barbie into a fashion icon.
Following red carpet arrivals, guests watched a screening of the opening night film, “QUEEN OF THE RING,” the biopic of Mildred Burke, the first-ever million-dollar female athlete and champion pro-wrestler who pioneered the sport in a time when all girl wrestling was banned in most of America. Directed by Ash Avildsen, (“Paradise City”, “Human Capital”), who was joined on the red carpet by cast members, Emily Bett Rickards, Francesca Eastwood, Gavin Casalegno), Kailey Latimer (professional wrestler). The Film’s co-stars include Josh Lucas and Walton Goggins. *Following the film, guests enjoyed a cocktail party with live music by The Jersey Girls.
The 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) ran from Friday, Nov. 8th to Nov. 17th, offering a diverse array of galas, special presentations, film features, documentaries and short films.
Visit FLIFF.com for more information.
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Lisa Griforian of FLIFF - center, with Joe McFate, left, and Bob Mackie of 'Naked Illusion' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Greg, Ray and Matt Romano of the 'Romano Twins' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Alexandra, Greg, Anna, Ray and Matt Romano of the 'Romano Twins' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Kailey Latimer of 'Queen of the Ring' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Producer Jennifer Stolo of 'No Address' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Heather Aboff of 'Beyond the Rush' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Entrance to the Premiere 'Queen of the Ring', 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Francesca Eastwood receives an award for Star On The Horizon, from Steve Savor, during 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Bob Mackie signs autorgraphs prior to 'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Bob Mackie of 'Naked Illusion' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Emily Bett Rickards of 'Queen of the Ring' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Emily Bett Rickards, and Francesca Eastwood of 'Queen of the Ring' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Alexander Wrath, and Francesca Eastwood of 'Queen of the Ring' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Jayce Bartok of 'Beyond The Rush' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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'Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion' Special Screening, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Savor Cinema, on November 9, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Gavin Caselegno of 'Queen of the Ring' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Bill Barrett of 'Beyond The Rush' attends 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Ash Avildsen, from left, Kailey Latimer, Amy Schoof, Emily Bett Rickards, Francesca Eastwood, Gavin Caselegno, and Alexander Wraith of 'Queen of the Ring' attends 'Queen of the Ring', 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Entrance to the Premiere 'Queen of the Ring', 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Joe Cortese, from left, Director Christina Eliopoulos, and Sofia Vassilieva of 'Here's Yianni!' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
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Producer Candy Potts, from left, Heather Aboff, Director/Producer Roberth John Sayegh, John Savage, Bill Barrett, and Jayce Bartok of 'Beyond the Rush' attend 'Queen of the Ring' Premiere, 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Nov. 8, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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