Roll-up for the 13th Annual Palm Beach Festival

The 13th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival is due to take place in April 2008 and organisers are hoping to attract even more stars and industry insiders than in previous years, including such international superstars as Anthony Hopkins, Faye Dunaway and Michael Caine.

During the week of April 10th to 17th scores of films will be showcased at the festival, drawing many leading movie actors to the town. Last year over 20,000 filmgoers attended the many events and even more enthusiasts are expected this year. In addition, the world’s movie press contingent will inevitably pack the town hot in pursuit of the stars’ and dreaming of an exclusive interview, or at least some gossip.

The Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) was the brainchild of Commissioner Burt Aaronson and local philanthropist George Elmore. Both had a vision of offering an exciting cultural experience for the Palm Beach area, and at the same time providing a tremendous fundraiser for local educational institutions.

To date the not-for-profit organisation has donated over $1million to the film and television programs of local schools, community colleges and universities in the form of grants and scholarships. There are currently in excess of 2,600 students enrolled on the programs in the Palm Beach area and they are all eligible for their work to be shown at the Student Showcase of Films; screened during festival week.

Since 2003 the PBIFF has included a competitive element in an effort to expand its international status. Awards are given in such categories as; Best Director, Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Short Film, and lifetime achievement awards to motion picture legends are also distributed at the Festival.

But the fundraising is not just limited to the week of the festival. In addition there is also a 'Friends of the Film Festival' group that operates all year round, arranging many social gatherings for residents of Palm Beach and Roca Baton at which funds are raised for the educational support element of the festival. Many of their events, such as special Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas Eve parties take place at a local bar, club or hotel in Palm Beach, and prove great places for attendees to network in addition to providing substantial funds to the PBIFF.

The 2008 PBIFF looks set to be the most successful yet, with organisers promising big names but staying tight-lipped about whom exactly they will be. But, regardless of which stars do turn up it looks to be a record-setting year in terms of overall attendees, which is good news for the schools and colleges that benefit from the fund raising.