Palm Beach International Film Festival Kick-Off Parties in Boca Raton
By: Michael Demyan
Photos by TransMedia Group
The Palm Beach International Film Festival has started their 22nd year with two kick-off parties in Boca Raton before their main event begins next month.
It all started on Jan. 15 with a party hosted by Yaacov Heller’s Gallery 22, which allowed over 300 guests to see a preview of what is to come at the film festival. Musical guests included Warren Tesh and Anna Nicotra, plus Vanessa Simpson also gave a tribute to Connie Francis, who starred in the 1960 movie, “Where the Boys Are.”
Author Jeff Fidel was also in attendance to talk about actors who have used their profession to get through struggles in their life, mainly focusing on “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher. Guests were also able to have a meet and greet with Jeff Davis, the president and CEO of the PBIFF.
The second party of the year was on Feb. 1 at The Little Chalet in Boca Raton. The event featured a preview of a new menu, a performance from musical artist Biana Pinchuk and the launch of DatingGourmet.com. There was also a first look at the Ms. Latina International Fashion Show.
Those events all lead up to the annual film festival which will take place from March 29-April 2. Last year’s event featured almost 80 different films and numerous filmmakers and actors traveled from around the world to attend.
This year’s festival will consist of 30 films, including “Price for Freedom,” “Remember Me” and “Wrestling Alligators.”
It will begin with a red carpet screening, followed by an after party at Bowery Palm Beach in CityPlace. From there, events will take place all around Palm Beach County, such as Jupiter, Lake Worth, Wellington and Boca Raton.
Multiple films are currently scheduled for viewings at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, while some others are still to be decided.
The PBIFF is a nonprofit organization, so money raised will be used for grants and scholarships for film students.
Tickets are able to be purchased at pbifilmfest.org.
