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The Second Annual Florana International Film Festival is set to take place in late March 2022 on the backlot of Manhattan Beach Studios and will be taking submissions on FilmFreeway beginning October 1st, 2021.
As Manhattan Beach’s premier film festival, this year promises to be incredibly special with a modernized experience designed to bring creators from around the world to one of the best studios on planet earth to celebrate not only independent film, but the impact independent creators can have in combating climate change. Last year, the Florana International Film Festival managed to raise nearly $10,000 from the festival alone to be donated to environmental nonprofits Heal the Bay and the Roundhouse Aquarium. Our goal for this year is to double our donation amount by bringing filmmakers together with amazing opportunities and unique experiences available nowhere else.
Opportunities
The change in format for this year’s Florana Festival is all about creating opportunities for independent filmmakers to network and develop relationships that further their career paths. With that being said, there couldn’t be a better location to have those conversations than the backlot of Manhattan Beach Studios on a real New York City street film set. While over 30 live screenings of the finalist films are being shown on the big screen, those filmmakers invited will be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the cultural epicenter of film in sunny Southern California. At the end of the weekend, those in attendance will hear how the films were judged by the film industry's finest. Last year’s judges included Vince Vaughn, Mike Simpson, JD Roth and others.
Stay tuned for this year’s panel announcement!
Festival Experience Info
The entire film festival is set to take place on the backlot of Manhattan Beach Studios campus on a New York City styled street, with a single large LED screen at one end. There will also be links available to view every successful submission. Beyond the film experience, local food trucks selling box dinners will be present along with a merchandise vendor, a red carpet walk with an "Instagram-able" background, and a festival bar to create a movie-premiere style atmosphere. Between segments of the film program, live music will also be taking place featuring multiple up-and-coming artists and bands.
With that being said... there's so much more on the way.
Keep up with our experimental announcements by following our Instagram @floranafest!