Editor

ENZIAN announced today the members of the American Independent Competition juries awarding prizes at the 17th Annual Florida Film Festival, which runs March 28 through April 6. The juries collectively are comprised of nine individuals from the film and entertainment community, each of whom brings a unique perspective and range of experience. The jurors include:

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
• Effie T. Brown, Producer (Real Women Have Curves, In the Cut, Rocket Science)
• David Laub, Acquisitions Manager – THINKFilm
• Rex Reed, Film Critic – New York Observer

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES & SHORTS
• Brian Brooks, Managing Editor – indieWIRE
• Greg Rhem, Manager – Original Programming, HBO
• Kate Davis, Filmmaker (Southern Comfort, FFF 2001 Grand Jury Award – Best Doc Feature, and Pucker Up: The Fine Art of Whistling, FFF 2005 Audience Award – Best Doc Feature and Special Jury Award for Excellence in Filmmaking)

NARRATIVE & ANIMATED SHORTS
• Karen Durbin, Film Critic – Elle Magazine
• Nat Baruch, Regional Publicity Manager, IFC Films
• Cara Longo, Manager – Acquisitions & Programming, Sundance Channel

“We are honored to be hosting such talent within our industry," said Shanon Larimer, Florida Film Festival Executive Director. "This year's jurors’ passion, commitment, and creativity embody the Festival itself.”

The competitive categories of the Florida Film Festival have introduced audiences to some of the most intriguing independent films and filmmakers of the past 17 years. At the Festival, Grand Jury and Special Jury Awards will be awarded to two narrative feature films, three short films, and three documentary films screening in competition. In addition to the top jury prizes, three films – one in each category – are eligible to receive an Audience Award sponsored by JetBlue Airways.

Film selections will be announced beginning February 18. Chosen from approximately 1,400 submissions, the 160 films comprising this year’s Festival represent works from more than 20 countries.

The 17th Annual Florida Film Festival is a core program of ENZIAN, a nonprofit organization serving the Central Florida community for more than 23 years which exists to entertain, educate, inspire, and connect the community through film. Combined, ENZIAN and the Florida Film Festival have served more than 1.5-million guests, premiered thousands of films and hosted hundreds of notable celebrities including Paul Newman, Christopher Walken, Oliver Stone, John Waters, Campbell Scott, James Caan, Ed Burns, Jason Lee, Gena Rowlands, William H. Macy and Virginia Madsen.