Il 39° Festival Internazionale del Cinema di Fort Lauderdale (FLIFF) inaugura la serata di apertura

Ray Romano & Twin Sons, , Emily Bett Rickards, Francesca Eastwood, Gavin Casalegno

John Savage, Bill Barrett, Jayce Bartek,  Joe Cortese, Sofia Vassilieva and Bob Mackie

The 39th year of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) kicked off its 10-day festival with a star-studded opening night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The red carpet dazzled with talent and filmmakers from “Queen of the Ring,” the opening night film, “Romano Twins,” “Beyond the Rush,” “Here’s Yianni!” , “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” and more.

“We are thrilled to present over 100 films & documentaries, Including (8) world premieres and (17) U.S. premieres during the festival.,” says FLIFF President & CEO, Steve Savor.

The evening started with red carpet arrivals including  Ray Romano (CBS’s “Everybody Loves Raymond”); Greg & Matt Romano (“Romano Twins”); Emily Bett Rickards (“Random Acts of Romance”, “Dakota’s Summer”, “Brooklyn”, “Axis”, “Funny Story”, “The Clinic”, “We Need to Talk”, Autumn and the Black Jaguar”, “Clamity Jane”); Francesca Eastwood (“Attention Attention”, “Running on Empty”, “Fargo”); Gavin Casalegno (“The Summer I turned Pretty”, “The Vampire Diaries”); Kailey Latimer (professional wrestler); Bill Barrett (“Fly me to the Moon”, “First Wives Club”); John Savage (“The Deer Hunter”, “The Onion Field” and “Hair”); Jayce Bartok (“The Cake Eaters”, “Now They See Us”);  Heather Aboff; Joe Cortese (“Green Book”, “American History X”); Sofia Vassilieva (“The Little Things, “My Sisters Keeper ”); Bob Mackie, fashion and costume designer for Cher, PINK, Carol Burnett and Tom Ford. Mackie has transformed the way fashion is perceived on screen, dressing iconic characters in films such as Barbie and has designed 47 Barbie Dolls for Mattel, turning Barbie into a fashion icon.

 Following red carpet arrivals, guests watched a screening of the opening night film, “QUEEN OF THE RING,” the biopic of Mildred Burke, the first-ever million dollar female athlete and champion pro-wrestler who pioneered the sport in a time when all girl wrestling was banned in most of America. Directed by Ash Avildsen, (“Paradise City”, “Human Capital”), who was joined on the red carpet by cast members, Emily Bett Rickards, Francesca Eastwood, Gavin Casalegno), Kailey Latimer (professional wrestler). The Film’s co-stars include Josh Lucas and Walton Goggins.  *Following the film, guests enjoyed a cocktail party with live music by The Jersey Girls.

The 39^th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) runs from Friday, Nov. 8 to Nov. 17, offering a diverse array of galas, special presentations, film features, documentaries and short films. Visit FLIFF.com for the festival schedule of films, theatres and receptions.