The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) announced the 28th Annual New Orleans Film Festival will open with a screening of The Florida Project, at the Orpheum Theater on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. Lauded for its artistry and authenticity, The Florida Project features two-time-Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, child actress Brooklynn Prince and a debut performance by Bria Vinaite, whom writer-director Sean Baker discovered via Instagram. The Florida Project is the newest movie from writer-director Sean Baker, who staked his claim two years ago with Tangerine, an indie feature shot entirely with his iPhone camera. The Florida Project will be released by A24, distributor of Moonlight.
Following the screening and opening night Second Line, a New Orleans Film Festival tradition, the opening night party will be held at Four Winds’ rooftop ballroom, which is open to All Access Pass-holders only and features spectacular views of the city, complimentary food and drink, and a special performance in the pool, guaranteed to make a splash.
The festival also announced the official closing night film, Call Me By Your Name— featuring Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg– screening at the Ace Hotel New Orleans on Thursday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. Call Me By Your Name created major buzz when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Director Luca Guadagnino continues his exploration of complicated intimate relationships that he’s addressed in prior critically-acclaimed films like I Am Love and A Bigger Splash.
Several Spotlight films have also been announced, including Darkest Hour, Last Flag Flying, The Upside, and Marshall. Spotlight films will be screening in theaters across New Orleans throughout the festival, taking place October 11-19. Ticket prices range from $125 to $320.
The festival also announced earlier this year that its Centerpiece film will be Mudbound, which was directed and co-written by Dee Rees, whose previous directorial projects include Pariah and Bessie. Mudbound is an adaptation of the prizewinning novel from Hillary Jordan about racial tension in the 1940s American South.
