Well...the moment of truth has finally arrived. After over seven months of prep work and previewing nearly 1400 films, the 15th annual Florida Film Festival officially kicks off tomorrow night (Friday the 24th). Somehow it seems fitting that in a year in which Baltimore iconoclast John Waters will be receiving an "American Visionary" award, the Opening Night film is titled KINKY BOOTS--I'm certain he will be as entertaining and crowd-pleasing as this feature film directorial debut from Emmy-nominated Julian Jarrold. The always amazing Portland-based filmmaker, Chel White, has the honor of truly lighting the fuse for the fireworks to follow with his Opening Night short, A PAINFUL GLIMPSE INTO MY CREATIVE PROCESS (IN LESS THAN 60 SECONDS). Though actually a minute and a half, this brilliant piece of animation sets the tone for the ten days of thought-provoking, jaw-dropping, eye-opening, and mind-stretching cinema and film-related fun that are to come.

--Matthew