‘Eco’ Films Being Unveiled at 2019 Key West Film Festival

By Laura Myers

Film aficionados can explore themes of ecosystems and sustainability, connections to Florida nature, modern life in Cuba and LGBTQ challenges during the eighth annual Key West Film Festival from Wednesday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 24.

The fest, annually themed “Passion Meets Paradise,” for the first time is to unveil two new shorts lineups: films for all ages about the fragile health of ecosystems, oceans and marine life; and a selection from the Havana Film Festival about contemporary life in Cuba, just 90 miles from Key West.

Nine “eco” short films include “The Blues Crab,” “Phil & Grace: The World’s Oldest Scuba Diving Couple,” “Underwater Senses,” “The Return of the Panther,” “Hanging Bear,” “John Pennekamp Cleanup,” “Toxic Algae Blooms,” “The Butterfly Effect” and “Of the Sea.”

For example, “The Blues Crab,” a subterranean musical animation, is about an old gnarled crab telling his story of loss and sorrow. He hopes to save young crabs from a life of blues.

“Phil & Grace: The World’s Oldest Scuba Diving Couple” is evidence that couples traveling the world together on diving adventures stay together.

“Underwater Senses” illustrates that while most of planet Earth is covered by water, tapping into one’s senses is vitally important.

“The Return of the Panther,” about Florida panthers once on the verge of extinction, illustrates how human life alongside predators is complex.

Combining 2D animation, watercolor and “datamoshing,” the film “Hanging Bear” is about a boy on a fateful quest to hunt a dangerous wanted bear. “Datamoshing” is a technique of damaging video clips to create a glitch effect with frames.

In “John Pennekamp Cleanup,” Floridians join forces to clean up a hurricane-impacted park.

“Toxic Algae Blooms” documents a battle by scientists to curtail harmful algal blooms.

“The Butterfly Effect” is about an organization educating children in Belize about the importance of preserving the rainforest.

And “Of the Sea” is an inspirational feminist surf film following a mother and her entrepreneurial efforts to raise awareness of the world’s plastic consumption.

This year, the fest’s Golden Key for Costume Design is to honor Academy Award^–nominated designer Adrianne Phillips, whose most recent cutting-edge creations were unveiled in Sony Pictures’ and Quentin Tarantino’s film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

Phillips is to discuss her work in a conversation with Eric Kohn, IndieWire’s executive editor, and Anne Thompson, co-host of the weekly “ScreenTalk” podcast.

A 10th anniversary release screening of the poignant gay-themed film “A Single Man,” is to honor Phillips’ work. Starring actors Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, the film was directed by fashion designer Tom Ford.

A selection of LGBTQ films is curated by Eugene Hernandez, deputy director of film at Lincoln Center and co-publisher of Film Comment magazine.

Nearly 40 Florida-made productions are to include 15 films produced by students, 14 independent shorts, three features and five screenplays.

Florida features include “A Name Without A Place,” a whimsical weird love letter to South Florida by director Kenny Riches, involving a sheltered young man who retraces his late brother’s footsteps to the Florida Keys from Miami Beach.

“Errol Flynn’s Ghost: Hollywood in Havana” is about movie-making in Havana during the 1940s and '50s.

An opening night party is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, 205 Whitehead St. Sneak-peek trailers are to be shown.

The opening night film is director Martin Scorcese’s critically acclaimed “The Irishman,” an epic saga about organized crime in post-war America, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci. Spanning decades, the Netflix film chronicles the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa.

Scheduled to close out the festival is “Waves,” set in South Florida’s beachside town of Hollywood and produced by Orlando-based director Trey Edward Shults. It traces the emotional journey of a suburban black family whose members navigate love, forgiveness and compassion after a tragic loss.

Each year, the festival awards $10,000 in student filmmaker scholarships — including $5,000 to recognize aspiring Florida student filmmakers, their heritage and creative vision.

The 2019 festival offers “great storytelling for social consciousness,” said Brooke Christian, Key West Film Festival founder and chairman. “We’ve been fortunate to have the best creative and design talent in the movie business come to Key West.”

All productions are to be screened at Tropic Cinema, 416 Eaton St. A full schedule of films, show times and pricing can be found at kwfilmfest.com.