Ritz Theatre Film Festival is dedicated to the education, growth, and economic development of the film industry, with the intent to expose the art to the community. This will be done thru informing the public about the art of visual storytelling, enhancing opportunities for local filmmakers to develop their craft and art, and increasing the public’s awareness and support of local filmmaking as a cultural and economic asset.
Ritz Theatre Film Festival was created by volunteers desiring recognization of the film industry and talents of artists throughout Polk County and The State of Florida. The festival will be based at The Ritz Theatre, 263 West Central Avenue, Winter Haven, Florida. In years ahead, the festival will grow to include other complexes and theatres within the area. The Festival’s desire for growth is aggressive and will strive to utilize multiple locations throughout Polk County for adequate exposure enhancing opportunities available through our educational network ranging from middle, junior/senior high school, academy’s, and higher education within our school system. The desire for recognition, in future years; by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a goal of organizers.
Ritz Theatre Film Festival will strive to be unique in content by encouraging its guests to take part in all aspects of the festival For the first festival, two directors and artists will be on hand for premiering their film and will participate in a question and answer session, a fantastic opportunity for the patrons and students of film. Future opportunities will include workshops, classes or some other manner of instruction that supports the mission of the festival. Guests are asked to participate in educational programming as a part of their attendance at the festival.
This is the Ritz Theatre 100, Inc. Board of Directors signature event which we hope to expose to other venues in the coming years for opportunities in Polk County.
Awards will be given in all categories ranging from
ANIMATION
CHILDREN/FAMILY
DOCUMENTARY
FAMILY
FEATURES
INDY
NARRATIVE
SHORTS