FILM: Florida Film Festival and More at the Enzian Theatre
reposted from aXis magazine, December 2003
Though Orlando is by no means a small town, we sometimes miss out on films picked up from festivals and sent out for “limited release.” What this would normally mean is that if you did not get a chance to fly out to Sundance to watch “The Station Agent” last year, or happen to be in New York or Los Angeles when it was playing on several screens there, you may never get a chance to watch it. Would your life be forever ruined? Probably not. But if you do want to see an Independent movie and don’t feel like shelling out airfare and a hotel to do so, there is an alternative. It’s called the Enzian Theater and is located a half mile North of Lee Road on 17-92 in Maitland, around 15 minutes from downtown Orlando.
This month, the Independent Filmmaker sits down with the Enzian’s Marketing and Media Coordinator Shannon Lacek to find out just what the Enzian Theater is all about.
The Enzian Theater was built in 1985 and actually began as a repertory/performance theater. After the first few years, it was converted to show films, and made into a non-profit venture. The Enzian Film Society was founded, and the Florida Film Festival was born.
Just twelve years later, the Florida Film Festival has grown into a world class event, with an attendance last year of over twenty-one thousand people. The selected films are shown over ten days, and some, like “Zero Day” have gone on to acquire distribution. The 2004 Florida Film Festival will run from March 5-14th, and will show approximately 130 films. Audiences can buy tickets for the entire festival, or just for individual movies. Over the past few years, stars like Jason Lee, Joe Pantoliano, Paul Newman, and Alison Adams have all come out to be part of the festival.
In addition to the Florida Film Festival, the Enzian also hosts several other festivals throughout the year. One is the Brouhaha Film and Video showcase which is a non-competitive festival for Florida produced films only. There is also the Jewish Film Festival, the South Asian Film Fest, The Orlando Gay and Lesbian Film Series, and Kidfest. Full schedule and program details for all festivals can be found on the Enzian website, www.enzian.org.
In between festivals, the Enzian has several different programs available to satisfy anyone looking for quality entertainment. Currently screening is the Katie Holmes film, “Pieces of April.” Though much has been made in the press regarding this film, one of the few places Central Floridians will be able to see it is at the Enzian. Next up is “21 Grams,” a highly acclaimed drama starring Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn. The films screen daily at 4:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 9:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $8 for general admission, $6 for a matinee, and $5.50 for members. Student memberships are only $20, and in addition to the movie discount, members are also included in free on “meet the filmmaker” events.
The theater itself is at least three steps up from standard movie fare…maybe four. Though they probably wouldn’t score points for butt-to-square foot ratio on the corporate scale, movie goers are treated to plush armchairs that are not welded to the ground, and tables to place food and drink in place of cutout circles in flip-up plastic arm rests. The theater is a one screen, 250 seat three tiered luxury. The tier closest to the screen even has captain’s chairs and several loveseats with room and comfort to spare. If popcorn and soda alone have lost their appeal, the Enzian is definitely the place to be. They have a large selection of beer and wine with several brands on tap, and a full menu with everything from hot pretzels, pizza, pasta and awesome sandwiches to a killer desert selection. Prices are very reasonable, and the waitstaff is friendly and courteous.
Six festivals, regular screenings of incredible and sometimes otherwise unattainable films, a restaurant and great atmosphere…it doesn’t stop there. When the staff sleeps is not known, but it cannot be very often.
The last Wednesday of every month is dedicated to “Cult Classics.” For $5 at 9 pm, audiences can watch films that are no longer on the big screen, but look so and sound so much better than on a thirteen inch TV. The Cult Classics program began in July, and has shown the John Waters’ film “Polyester,” “Diner,” “Evil Dead” for Halloween, and “Harold and Maude” in November. December is not scheduled because of the holidays, but Cult Classics will return in January.
Outside of the theater itself, the Enzian hosts another venue, called “Popcorn Flicks in the Park.” The park in reference is Central Park, located at Park Avenue and Morse, and the movies are shown at the permanent amphitheatre within. These films are of a G-Rated nature, but that’s not to say that they are solely for kids. “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Rear Window” are among recent screenings. Popcorn Flicks takes place on the third Thursday of each month at around seven or eight pm, depending on when the sun sets. The average attendance is 300-500 people, except for Willy Wonka which drew a crowd of over 1000. Here’s the best part…the movies and the popcorn are free for all audiences. Free, now that’s a word you don’t hear every day. December will host the classic “A Christmas Story” and is sponsored by Valencia Community College, Grace Realty, and Localmotion. There will even be a raffle for a children’s bicycle. Definitely do not miss this one, December 18th at 7 pm.
In between all of these events and screenings, the Enzian is also available for rental. Corporations hold meetings and presentations regularly, and for the independent filmmaker, there is an extra incentive. Independent filmmakers can screen their own movie for 50% off the regular rate. That means that a person can premiere his or her own movie in a luxury theater for only $200.00 ($100/hour, two hour minimum). The theater can screen 35 mm, DVD and VHS, and the projector fee is included. This truly is an incredible deal. Rental for a projector alone runs around $350.00 locally. In LA and New York, theaters of similar quality will cost easily over a thousand dollars…plus a few hundred extra for use of the projector.
What at first glance looks like a pretty building set back among tall trees turns out to be arguably the most upscale and unique movie venue in Central Florida. With several festivals, special movie nights, independent screenings, and an awesome menu, the Enzian is sure to provide serious quality entertainment for all audiences.
