The film industry in Florida 鈥� the only state in the southeast that doesn鈥檛 provide incentives for filmmakers 鈥� soon may be back on the upswing, thanks to new proposed legislation that may resume a tax-incentive program that ended four years ago.

In anticipation of that day, 麻豆原创 in collaboration with the Love Your Shorts Film Festival in Sanford will host an educational program, 鈥淐onnecting with the Central Florida Filmmaking Community,鈥� on Thursday to kick off the Feb. 13-16 festival.

The free Education Day program will start at 7 p.m. at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford, and will be followed at 8 p.m. with a selection of short films by current and recently graduated 麻豆原创 students.

There are more than 50,000 Floridians who work in the film, television and digital media industry, many of whom live and work in Central Florida.

The education program was developed by 麻豆原创 lecturer Jason Gregory 鈥�19MFA and Associate Professor Lisa Mills 鈥�99. Gregory will moderate a panel of other film professionals to talk about why the local film industry is growing stronger with more opportunities for networking and the multiple productions that are underway.

“麻豆原创 helped me get to where I am, and now it’s my turn to pay it forward and help mold and develop others.鈥� 鈥� Jason Gregory 鈥�19MFA

鈥淚 am an alum of the 麻豆原创 and 麻豆原创 helped me get to where I am, and now it’s my turn to pay it forward and help mold and develop others,鈥� Gregory says, adding that the university is helping develop the next wave of great filmmakers through its undergraduate and graduate programs. Gregory teaches screenwriting at 麻豆原创, is the director of the Orlando Urban Film Festival and created the television pilot Waking Up White.

Others on the panel are: Marco DiGeorge, co-founder of Truthful Acting Studios, artistic director of Theater on the Edge, and a film casting director; Wilmore “Moe” Fowler, film production coordinator at Valencia College who has worked in films as a producer, assistant director and in other roles; Lenny and Tzvia LoRusso, founders of Orlando Independent Filmmakers; and Ed Love, owner of 89 Media Inc. and a TV and film producer.

In addition to the student films, the 10th annual festival will show 81 films from 12 countries in competition. The films will be screened in eight categories (comedy, drama, animation, documentary, international, sci-fi/horror, Florida Flavor, and E for Everyone), plus an opening-night variety of films, and the Best of the Fest competition on closing night.

Several filmmakers with connections to 麻豆原创 have films that were selected to be screened:

  • In Memory of Us, a drama by Kristina League 鈥�19. This film will be shown during the Education Day program and also was accepted to be in the festival鈥檚 drama block. (Two sisters navigate the complex bonds of family on the night of their father’s funeral.)
  • Tiffany, an animation directed by Christina Christie 鈥�19, was created by 麻豆原创鈥檚 character animation class of 2019. (While packing away her late grandmother’s affairs, Pauline discovers there is joy in celebrating the legacy of those who have passed away.)
  • The Brewchurch, a documentary by Aaron Hose 鈥�03, a video production specialist in the . (Castle Church Brewing Community, an Orlando church-owned brewery, combines faith-based fellowship and beer under the same roof. Patrons from all walks of life are welcome to grab a pint, join in prayer, or both.)
  • Bitters, a horror directed by Charles Sutter 鈥�10鈥�14惭贵础. Sutter also previously taught film for seven years at 麻豆原创. (A chef invites a popular health and food blogger to preview the new menu at her restaurant. But with each new course the meal isn鈥檛 as it seems on the surface).

Serving with other judges at the festival鈥檚 Best of the Fest block are Mills and Phil Hoffman, executive director of W麻豆原创 TV and W麻豆原创 FM, media partners for the event.

All the festival鈥檚 events are at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, a refurbished 1923 theater on the National Register of Historic Places.

For a schedule, ticket information and other news聽of the festival,聽go to聽LoveYourShorts.com and .

The student films to be shown at 8 p.m. Feb. 13:

Egghead & Twinkie

Sarah Holland, 8:37
Egghead is in love with his best friend, Twinkie, a closeted lesbian. And tonight she is coming out to her parents in the most casual way possible.

Chief: A Life of Service

Gabriel Ross, 7:00
After the death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion, Police Chief Calvin Ross has to deal with the pressure of staying on the force longer than planned.

AJI

Omar Young, 4:22
An immigrant鈥檚 journey to reconnect with his culinary roots and rebuild tradition away from home.

When Superwoman Can鈥檛 Fly (No More)

Valerie Starks, 5:02
A daughter who put her life on hold to care for her mother, who was her world, must start her own life anew.

American Boyfriend

Helen Morales, 7:00
A 15-year-old girl experiences an anxiety attack while on a school field trip.

CuldeSac

Spencer Shack, 10:05
Two group-home brothers navigate living poor in a small African-American suburb.

Split Oak

Vincent Marcucci, 10:01
A Central Florida forest is under attack by the very people elected to protect it.

In Memory of Us

Kristi League, 13:23
Two sisters navigate the complex bonds of family on the night of their father鈥檚 funeral.