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Miami Film Festival, presented by Miami Dade College (MDC), is set to return from April 3-13, 2025, with an exciting lineup of nearly 200 films from 45 countries. This year’s festival is particularly significant as it marks the festival’s long-awaited homecoming to the historic Olympia Theater in downtown Miami. The festival’s homecoming to this iconic venue is a major moment for Miami’s arts and cultural scene, bringing cinephiles back to a space that has long played a role in the city’s cinematic history.
The 42nd edition will open with Meet the Barbarians, a French comedy-drama directed by Julie Delpy, who will be in attendance to receive the Festival’s Impact Award. The film follows a small town in Brittany that agrees to host Ukrainian refugees in exchange for government subsidies, only to face unexpected challenges when Syrian migrants arrive instead. Closing the festival is On Swift Horses, directed by Daniel Minahan and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Diego Calva, and Will Poulter. The film follows a newlywed couple’s attempt at a fresh start in post-war California, which is disrupted when the husband’s estranged, gambling-addicted brother reenters their lives.
Beyond its highly anticipated opening and closing films, this year’s festival features 35 world premieres and major industry conversations with honorees including Mark Duplass, Paul Feig, Melanie Lynskey, Roger Ross Williams, and Billy Zane. Audiences will also be treated to special anniversary screenings of Before Sunrise, Center Stage, and Picnic at Hanging Rock, along with an outdoor 20th-anniversary screening of Pride & Prejudice at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, presented in partnership with the Miami Book Fair in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday.
A standout highlight of the festival is the world premiere of Chirino, a documentary directed by Jorge A. Soliño that chronicles the life and career of legendary Cuban musician Willy Chirino. A defining figure in Latin music and an enduring voice for Cuban exiles, Chirino’s journey, from his early years in Cuba to becoming a Grammy-winning artist and cultural icon, is deeply intertwined with Miami’s identity. The documentary will be featured in the Spotlight on Cuba program, supported by ArtesMiami, adding an essential historical and cultural dimension to this year’s lineup.
This year also marks a record-breaking focus on Miami-made films, with 12 locally produced films featured – the largest number in the festival’s history. The Made in MIA competition, dedicated to films that tell South Florida stories, will showcase compelling narratives such as the world premiere of Ethan Bloom, a coming-of-age film about a young Jewish teen exploring his faith, and the Florida premiere of Know Me, directed by Edson Jean, which explores the human side of the infamous “Miami Zombie” attack. The film will screen at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, creating a unique connection between its themes and its setting.
Also in the local lineup is the world premiere of The Python Hunt, a documentary by Xander Robin that follows hunters competing in a high-stakes, 10-night python removal contest in the Everglades. Another premiere is Two Islands, a documentary produced by MDC’s Koubek Center, which explores an extraordinary international cultural exchange between Afro-Cuban artists from Miami and First Nations Aboriginal artists from Australia. Also shining a light on Miami’s music legacy is El Sonido de Miami, a documentary celebrating the city’s deep-rooted Latin music scene.
To further amplify local storytelling, the festival continues its commitment to emerging voices through The Louies, a documentary initiative in partnership with the Lynn & Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, which provides $100,000 in funding to six Miami-based filmmakers to bring South Florida stories to life using archival footage from the Wolfson Archives.
Beyond its rich lineup of films, the Miami Film Festival is known for its unique and immersive experiences, and this year’s edition delivers once again. Making its Miami debut, Uncomfortable Brunch will offer a one-of-a-kind screening of Secretary at O Cinema South Beach, paired with a curated brunch experience. Other highly anticipated events include a screening of Magic Hour at the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, with Miriam Shor in attendance for a special post-film discussion. Festival-goers can also look forward to a live recording of the Happy Sad Confused podcast with honoree Paul Feig, following a screening of his latest film, Another Simple Favor.
“This year’s lineup features a captivating mix of compelling narratives, must-see documentaries, and innovative short films, delivering an exceptional selection to our local community,” said James Woolley, executive director. “Miami Film Festival is thrilled to invite audiences back for another year filled with unforgettable screenings and thought-provoking discussions.”
Along with the Olympia Theater, the festival will take place in venues across the city including MDC’s Koubek Center, Silverspot Cinema, Regal South Beach, the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Knight Concert Hall, and Coral Gables Art Cinema. With its dynamic lineup of films, engaging discussions, and special events, the 42nd Miami Film Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration.
For tickets, the full lineup, and event details, visit miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM (3456).
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