Sitting for a feature film and immersing yourself in a two-hour plot is convincing, but sometimes it’s best to think short.
This is the idea behind the 15th Love Your Shorts Film Festival. This is a return to Sanford on February 14-16 with 76 films from 11 countries, all in under 30 minutes.
The annual events include the 10th Annual Indie Folkfest, the 12th Annual Mount Dora Scotland Highland Festival and the 16th Orlando Home and Garden Show, held at the Mennero Museum on February 15th. Participate in the full slate of the state’s Central Weekend event. 14-16.
I love the shorts film festival
Visitors can choose from blocks of films categorized as comedy, sci-fi/horror, drama, and Florida flavors. The final block of Sunday night weekend highlights “Best of the Fest” by showing top film from each block. The overall winner, selected by a panel of industry experts, will receive a $1,500 prize money and “Monroe.” This is an original metal artwork.
The idea for the event was first hatched when Gene Crackmeal and his wife came across a short film festival just outside Las Vegas in Boulder City, Nevada. After seeing such an event in a small artistic town to the west, he decides to bring an idea to a friend in Sanford.
“We want people to come together, watch movies at the same time and talk about them. People can visit Sanford, support businesses, restaurants and bars in downtown, and have community experience. You can,” he said. “When you’re looking at the auditorium and everyone is breathing and laughing, that’s a different feeling.”
Ritz Theatre, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, plays the festival host. Simply throwing stones from dozens of restaurants, bars and shops in downtown Sanford, suburban visitors say they enjoy exploring the community before and after the film screening. I did.
If you’re going: The 15th Love Your Shorts Film Festival is February 14th-16th. Tickets cost $12 for each individual block of the movie (except $5 for the “Everyone for Everyone” block), and $85 for weekend passes to all movies. All screenings will be held at the Ritz Theatre at the Wayne Dens Performing Arts Centre, 201 S. Magnolia Avenue, Sanford. More information: loveyourshorts.com
Mount Dora Scotland Highland Festival
Back in its 12th year, Mount Dora’s Celtic Culture celebration brings the community together on a weekend full of bagpipes, highland athletics, music, dance, food, drinks and cheerfulness. The festival will begin in earnest on Friday night with the Séan Healy Celtic Band, Harp Twins and Port Ossolity of Donnelly Park.
On Saturday and Sunday, events are spreading at both Donnelly Park, where visitors can see tartam parade and plenty of entertainment, and Elizabeth Evans Park, where Highland Athletics will take place and Drama-Tune Pipe Band perform. On Sunday, the city’s ensemble concludes the ceremony at Donnelly Park.
Celebrations of Scottish culture help to honor Scotland, Forres, sister city of Mount Dora. The programme promotes contact and cultural exchange between Mount Dora and Scotland.
If you go: The 12th Scotland Highland Festival will be held on February 14th from 6pm to 9pm, February 15th from 10am to 7pm, February 10am to 5pm, 530 N. Donnelly St. and 100 N. Donnelly of Mount Dora. Tickets available online and through the gate cost $24.60 for three days and $17.25 for one day on Saturday or Sunday. VIP tickets cost $54 for 3 days. Blankets and chairs are encouraged. Only service dogs are permitted. Parking is available with a free shuttle at 1000 E. 1st Ave. (Saturday only) and 1250 N. Highland St. (Saturday to Sunday) in Mt. Dora. Details: CI.Mount-Dora.fl.us
Orlando Home and Garden Show
The spring edition of Orlando Home and Garden Show brings back this weekend with vendors and seminars on topics ranging from interior decoration and design to fly fishing and cooking.
Thanks to the spa makers, free admission is provided for events at the Orange County Convention Centre. Guests of all ages can explore gardening presentations, fly fishing stages and cooking classes for children. Family members can also learn how to make their own fairy garden.
Other show features include onsite dog and cat pet adoption, orchid sales, spa and hot tub sales, outdoor storage, windows, doors, roofing, energy efficient home products, flooring, interior There are organizations, art, food, and more.
If you’re going: The 16th Orlando Home and Garden Show will be available on February 14th from 6pm, February 15th from 10am to 6pm, February 16th from 11am to 5pm, and on February 16th, Orlando It is open at 9800 International Drive. Admission is free. Parking fee is $21.30 per car. More information: showtechnology.com
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
The view from the hammock shows the indie folkfest in the American Art Sculpture Garden at the Mennero Museum. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Mennero Museum’s Indie Folk Fest
The beloved community event marks its 10th year at the Sculpture Gardens at the Mennero Museum of Arts. Indie-Folkfest presents a lineup of musicians including The Oak Hill Drifters, Beemo, Claire Vandiver, Beth McKee, her funky time band, Skinny McGee and Handshake.
Visitors can explore food and drinks from guesthouses, Girly Cuba, Kelly homemade ice cream and more. Guests of all ages can set up yard games, vendors, project stations and artists at free admission events.
If You Go: The 10th Annual Indie Folkfest at the Mennero Museum will be open at 900 E. Princeton Street in Orlando from noon on February 15th. The free event is family friendly and pet-friendly. Details: mennellomuseum.org
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