The 26th Annual Florida Film Festival, produced by Enzian Theater and held throughout Central Florida each April, features nearly 200 feature films and short films from countries around the world, plus celebrity guests, special events, forums for movies and parties. This year’s festival includes competing films in narrative features and documentary programs, plus special screenings of food films, international films, midnight films, family programming and Florida films. A small sampling of movies appears below.

Colossal

Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis star in this sci-fi comedy in which the actions of a shallow party girl who returns to her hometown after breaking up with her boyfriend are somehow connected to a giant monster attacking people in Seoul, South Korea. Gloria’s chance reconnection with an old friend from grade school (now a bar owner who hires her as a waitress) helps reveal the origin of this strange supernatural occurrence. At the center of the madness, Gloria (Hathaway) and Oscar (Sudeikis) each project their own version of her madness: she has attachment issues; she has problems with shedding. Together, they are the disasters at the heart of this disaster movie. Combining comedy, drama, flashbacks, and sci-fi effects, this mix of genres offers an engaging story with poignant analogies about the potential monsters within each of us. Directed by Nacho Vigalondo. It also stars Austin Stowell, Tim Blake Nelson, Dan Stevens. Running time: 110 minutes. MPAA Rating: R (for language). 3.5/5.

Honky Tonk Heaven: The Legend of the Broken Radio

This hilarious documentary about an Austin, Texas honky tonk man celebrating his 50th anniversary is being screened on Music Sidebar. The Broken Spoke, owned and operated by husband and wife team James and Annetta White, welcomes the biggest names in country music to perform on its modest stage for locals and tourists from around the world. The artists are quick to point out that The Broken Spoke is not a fancy ballroom where patrons dress up, nor a concert hall where people come just to listen. This is a honky tonk where musicians come to play music so people can dance for hours on end. Known for its authentic Texas vibe, long tradition of exclusively country bands, and chicken fried steak (using Annetta’s family recipe), this well-known establishment remains unchanged amidst the rapidly developing neighborhood around it. The satisfying film examines the music, food, family, culture, and history behind The Broken Spoke. Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas and Brenda Mitchell. It stars the White family and dozens of country music stars, including Willie Nelson and Dale Watson. Running time: 75 minutes. 3 / 5.

circus kid

Actor-director Lorenzo Pisoni looks back on his life growing up in his father’s traveling show, The Pickle Family Circus, in this moving documentary. Lorenzo’s career began at the age of two when he stepped into the ring during a performance. From there, he learned antics from his father, Larry, and within a few years they were antics partners performing a crowd-pleasing Pinocchio-inspired act in which a father wants his puppet to become a child. for real. The Pickle Family Circus, which included Lorenzo’s mother and stepsister, performed across the country during the 1970s and 1980s. Now a successful actor on film, television, and stage, Lorenzo examines his childhood and the events that led up to it. to Larry’s departure from the circus and the breakup of the Pisoni family. circus kid it is part behind-the-scenes show and part personal essay. Using archival footage and current interviews with other former Pickle Family Circus performers to get the full story, this film delivers some laughs and even some tearful moments. Directed by Lorenzo Pisoni. It also stars Bill Irwin and Geoff Hoyle. Executive produced by Daniel Radcliffe and Jon Hamm. Duration: 71 minutes. 4/5.

All my high school sinking into the sea

In its Southeast premiere, this animated narrative feature is screening at the American Independent Competition. It comes with a warning for people with epilepsy that the colorful strobe effects can cause seizures. Best suited for audience members in their teens and early 20s, this original mixed-media creation from graphic novelist Dash Shaw literally depicts the drama surrounding an entire high school (built on a fault line and no code), going under. in the sea after an earthquake. Dash and his best friend Assaf gather a strange group of survivors and try to get to the roof of the building so they can be rescued. The images of stern limbs and students washed up on the sea can be disturbing at times, but the abundance of humor keeps things from getting too heavy. School politics, first love and the bonds of friendship are some of the themes that are briefly explored amidst the chaos in this unusual film (supported by outstanding vocal talents) where style earns a higher rating than substance. Directed by Dash Shaw. It stars the voice talents of Jason Schwartzman, Reggie Watts, Lena Dunham, Maya Ruldolph, Susan Sarandon, Alex Karovsky, John Cameron Mitchell. Running time: 75 minutes. MPAA Rating: PG-13. 3 / 5.

Rumble: The Indians Who Shook the World

This ambitious documentary traces the influence of Native Americans on rock and roll, blues, and folk music. Spanning decades in time and locations across the country (including some scenes in Toronto, Canada) and packed with interesting historical information, the film offers profiles of nearly a dozen musicians of Native American descent, beginning with Link Wray, whose notorious success 1958 instrumental “Rumble” was banned from radio due to its perceived ability to incite violence. Using live interviews specifically for the film (Stevie Salas, Robbie Robertson, Tony Bennett, Iggy Pop, Slash, Steven Tyler, Buffy Saint Marie, Taj Mahal, Martin Scorsese, etc.), plus archival interviews and concert recordings, the filmmakers provide a broad picture of the evolving music scene and how it relates to Indian history and culture. The exhaustive amount of research, and the obvious good intentions of bringing little-known information to the general public, make this an important film for all music lovers. Directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana. Running time: 103 minutes. 4/5.

For a complete list of films or to learn more about the Florida Film Festival, visit the official website.