Orlando Film Festival Brings Movies and Moviemakers Downtown November 19–22

ORLANDO — The lights are coming back on at Plaza Cinema Café. From Nov. 19–22, 2026, the Orlando Film Festival will reopen the downtown theater for four days of independent films, filmmaker conversations, and workshops. Screenings will take place in Theaters 1, 2, 3, and 4 at 155 S. Orange Ave.

Thursday’s red carpet opens with Boris Is Dead, a dark crime comedy starring Dane Cook as an aspiring actor whose restaurant job lands him in the middle of a botched heist. James Cullen Bressack directed the film, produced by Sasha Yelaun, Henry Penzi, and Micah E. Brandt. The film screens again on Friday at 4 p.m. in Theater 1. Other productions of interest include Painted Faces at 6 p.m., Gator Face at 8 p.m., and Contradiction plays at 8 p.m. See the full screening schedule.

The lineup spans narrative features, documentaries, international films, and shorts. Sunday’s Shorts Blitz and awards ceremony close out the festival. Competition honors include Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Student Short.

For Central Florida’s film community, the weekend is a chance to meet collaborators and learn how independent movies get made. Friday’s screenwriting workshops with Brian Edgar start at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday’s program covers cinematography, producing, and directing, while Sunday’s sessions cover sound, editing, distribution, and financing. See workshop times and presenters.

How to go. A $20 day pass covers regular screenings on one selected day, and the $50 festival pass covers regular screenings across the festival. The $100 VIP and $200 VIP Elite passes include opening night and Sunday’s awards. VIP Elite also includes educational programming and panels. If you’re buying a pass for a specific workshop, confirm room assignments, reservations, and any standalone admission with the organizer.

The City of Orlando, Valencia College, and the Downtown Arts District are listed among supporters of the film festival.