AIR DATE JUNE 22, 2023
Title: Local Film & Cinema
That’s a wrap! Meet organizations and discover annual events for film creators and enthusiasts alike.
Guests
Film Florida, Executive Director – John Lux
FilmSlam, Executive Director & Vice President, Hosts – Jen Vargas & Jay De Los Santos
Enzian Theater, Director of Public Relations & Development – Deanna Tiedtke
Local Film and Theater Are in Abundance in Central Florida
When you want to enjoy a night out, you could go to the local Cineplex to see the latest blockbuster. Here in Central Florida, you have another incredible option. Our communities have access to some brilliant local theaters and filmmakers that produce outstanding work.
Deanna Tiedtke is the Director of PR and Development at the Enzian Theater. “Enzian was the first dine-in theater pretty much in the United States,” she told me. “It was also the first art house theater in Florida. All these films, artists, directors, and produces ho were creating this art house cinema that was maybe a little bit controversial or a little bit edgy, were able to show their works of art at Enzian.”
We also have FilmSlam to enjoy, with screenings at the Orlando Museum of Art. It was founded in 2004, and they were at the Enzian until finding their current home. “FilmSlam is not a film festival. We have never been,” Jen Vargas told me. “We’ve always been a screening showcase for filmmakers.”
John Lux, Executive Director of Film Florida, and I had a good discussion on this topic. He has more than 25 years of experience. “Our goal is to grow and strengthen the film, television, and digital media production industry,” he told me. “That’s purposely a little vague because there are so many different ways that we can accomplish that goal.
Expressionism Is the Greatest Asset of Local Theater and Film
Most articles that discuss what the Enzian brings to our communities describe the theater as “quirky.” Tiedtke embraces the label with a laugh. “We’re a weird, little place,” she told me. “We really like to pride ourselves on our mission. So, we are a movie theater primarily, but we’re also a 501(c)(3). Our mission is to educate, connect, and inspire the community through film.”
With local film and theater support, you can view almost any movie type locally. “In 18 years doing FilmSlam, we’ve shown like literally every kind of film, whether it’s experimental or regular genres,” said Jay de los Santos. “Your standard drama, comedy, anything. In the past, we’ve had themed months.”
Film Florida helps to get the word out about these exciting films that local artists, directors, and producers create. “We offer quite a bit of networking opportunities, a lot of professional development, and we are constantly marketing our members.” said Lux. “When somebody comes to join the organization, if it’s a company, if they have announcements, press releases, big events, big projects, we’re helping promote those and get the word out there.”
Florida Does Not Offer Incentives to Attract New Business
Lux told me that Florida is the only state in the Southeast without an incentive program to attract more business opportunities in the industry. Right now, 35 states currently offer this resource. “One of the goals of the organization is to get that incentive program back in the state of Florida,” he said.
FilmSlam is one outlet where possibilities exist. “We’re an unrated program so anything really goes,” said Vargas. “We don’t censor in any way. That’s always been the way of FilmSlam, and we believe in the filmmaker bringing their original vision to the screen and to the eyes that watch it.”
The history found at the Enzien is an excellent place to start for anyone wanting to get more involved with local theater and film. “We just do a ton of stuff, and we’ll do more classic things, like we have Saturday matinee classics, and so that’s based off of the top 100 films that you should see before you die,” said Tiedtke. “So, that’s very classic and very educational. We also have one-off programs, emphasizing the educational aspect of film.”
You can visit Enzian.org to see the current film lineup. For more information about FilmSlam, please see thefilmslam.com. And last but not least, you can learn more about Film Florida by visiting filmflorida.org.
