For the few years prior to starting The Leone Company, I spent time as the Director of Development and Community Relations for Enzian and the Florida Film Festival, located in Maitland, just 40 minutes from Kissimmee. The Enzian itself is an absolutely glorious single screen independent arthouse cinema with a full food menu served while you watch your film. (Note: beer and wine is served inside as well, while a similar menu and robust option of libations is available at their outdoor, attached Eden Bar.)
The Florida Film Festival itself turns 21 this year, expecting more than 20,000 guests from around the globe to attend its parties, films and food events. (Past special guests have included everyone from Glenn Close and Jon Voight to Emma Stone and Anthony Bourdain.)
Even though I’m no longer employed there, I still serve on one of the organizations councils and was invited back for their special image reveal party for the 2012 Festival last night.
Florida Film Festival. April 13-22, 2012. Image by Lure Design, Inc.
Like everything else Enzian does, the party was a class act.
Including incredibly warm welcome speeches by Enzian’s Executive Director Elizabeth Tiedtke and primary sponsor Full Sail University (represented by Rick Ramsey), this year’s festival, taking place April 13-22, 2012, won’t disappoint. After all, this year’s theme IS “Film. Food. Fun,” and with a record number of more than 17,000 film submissions, the quality of films available is always worth traveling into town.
Elizabeth Tiedtke, Executive Director of the Enzian and the Florida Film Festival and me.
And the food? Fantastic bites to eat. Like the portobello sandwich, with roasted Portobello and red peppers with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, garlic-basil aoili, and a balsamic drizzle. And the buttermilk mousse with a blueberry sace drive, topped with a cinnamon candy.
And sips of my boyfriend’s craft beer.
(The photos? Well, they were just pitiful and didn’t do the food justice. Visit Enzian and Eden Bar’s full menu here instead.)
The inside of my ticket package.
Having a chance to chat with a few of the organization’s amazing sponsors, like Whole Foods Market, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission’s Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission and Lure Design, Inc., I can sense the excitement for this community staple. Knowing this is Full Sail University’s ninth year as the primary sponsor and fifteenth year with the Festival shows the strong support and belief in the institution.
My parting gift for attending? A Florida Film Festival Film Fanatic Survival Guide, complete with two film vouchers to redeem once the film schedule is released in March AND $5 to use at Enzian’s fantastic outdoor restaurant and bar, Eden Bar!
To see one of the more than 150 films.
To enjoy another portobello sandwich.
And to order my own beer and let Russ have his own.
If you’re in town April 13-22, this is a don’t miss event!
Florida wife, mom and blogger Karla Gore will visit Kissimmee next week! Want to share your Kissimmee story? 
[...] I was thrilled to have been accepted to write for them. You’ll find posts about the Florida Film Festival preview party, happy hours on Park Avenue, and a great upcoming series on a few of historic [...]