looking Our Cultural Past back

Orlando ARts MAGAZINE March/april 2015 15

14-15 Looking Back.indd 15 2/18/15 10:38 AM E benhack Phelan M.

Enzian theater celebrates 30 years and its 24th annual Florida Film Festival.

By Penny Dickerson

Sigrid “Sig” Tiedtke and Henry Maldonado POP Culture n Feb. 15, Maitland’s own Enzian theater celebrated 30 years of cinematic Ocool and artistic excellence. The Central Florida entertainment venue has reached iconic status as a community hub for independent films and filmmakers by staying true to its roots——a savvy trifecta of film, food and friends. But don’t worry that you’ve missed out replicated, but none have captured nuance on the party, as birthday revelry will con- and marketing sensation like the theater’s tinue throughout the year, highlighted by combination of cultural experiences and the 24th annual Florida Film Festival gourmet fare. (FFF), which is sponsored by Full Sail Enzian is innovative; a game changer, University and will convene April 10 to 19. and the barometer of theater hip. The founding art house for the FFF, It’s a place where audiences view the Enzian and its winning formula have been world’s best classic, foreign and indepen-

Orlando ARts MAGAZINE March/april 2015 16

16-19 Feature FFF.indd 16 2/18/15 10:52 AM Star Gazing As one of the nation’s most prestigious festivals of its kind, the FFF attracts familiar faces and some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Paul Newman, jessica faren 1992 A MAJOR COMPONENT of the Florida Film Festival is its culinary offerings. From local restaurants and vendors serving farm-fresh fare to renowned national chefs making special appearances, there's always something delicious on the menu.

dent films. Adults love the posh chairs, Revenue accounts for only 25 percent table service and a menu that includes of its operating budget. parmesan fries and pear prosciutto Both Philip and his wife, Sigrid pizza. Families gravitate toward its (“Sig”) Tiedtke serve on the governing programming such as the theater’s free board; Sig is chairman and a former Popcorn Flicks in the Park series and Enzian president who founded the its Peanut Butter Matinees. Florida Film Festival in 1992. She Jennifer Tilly, 2008 For three burgeoning decades, describes her brainchild as “a 10-day Enzian has grown as strong as its multi-cultural banquet founded to sprawling oaks, establishing a name bring a wider variety of cinema with with locals, as well as garnering voices from far and wide.” national recognition for the FFF. The “We are one of the best art houses in festival, the Maitland landmark’s big- the nation, and FFF is one of the best gest annual event, has hosted box regional film festivals in the nation,” office heavyweights including Jon states Sig. “We’ve built a tremendous Voight, Jennifer Tilly and Susan group of friends from within the local Sarandon. But the palpable heartbeat community and the international inde- remains everyday people—film enthu- pendent filmmaking community.” Jon Voight, 2009 siasts from all walks of life. And with friends like Sig’s, Enzian catapulted from screening 12 classic A Film & Family Affair films per week in 1985 to an estimated Founded in 1985 by John Tiedtke 5,000 patrons viewing 40 films when and daughter Tina, Enzian has a mis- the FFF launched eight years later. sion to entertain, inspire, educate and Attendance quadrupled in 2014 to connect the community through the 22,500, with 1,500 film submissions medium of film. Tiedtke’s two chil- received and 170 movies screened. In dren—Tina and Philip—have remained fact, the festival has grown so much hands on to advance Enzian as an that it now also includes screenings at established 501(c)(3) nonprofit, com- the nearby Regal Winter Park Village munity-supported arts organization. Stadium 20. Susan Sarandon, 2014 courtesy enzian (4)

Orlando ARts MAGAZINE March/april 2015 17

16-19 Feature FFF.indd 17 2/18/15 10:53 AM Down the Road

A full-circle moment started with Dual Celebration Aha Moment! Paul Newman’s FFF inaugural atten- Enzian’s 30th birthday celebration Enzian President Henry Maldonado dance. Sig elaborates: “Newman visited and the 24th annual FFF will inter- and Chairman Sig covet fond theater Enzian and thought the concept was twine as the two entities celebrate their memories, such as screening the neat ... specifically the theater’s open milestones. Free outdoor movies on three-hourlong, black and white film seating, stage and wings. Philip extend- the lawn can be viewed during the Seven Samaurai by Kurasawa—it was ed an invite; Newman experienced a Wednesday Night Pitcher Shows, and 60 years old and in Japanese. “We were not ready for a packed house, “We are in the business of film watchers, and audiences come but we got one, along with tremen- dous appreciation, which we loved,” first. Our base demands intelligent and edgy entertainment." muses Maldonado. —Henry Maldonado, president “Our aha moment was when we shifted focus. We are in the business program, and agreed to join Enzian’s each film shown through April 1 pays of film watchers, and audiences come National Advisory Board. Newman’s homage to the acclaimed actors and first,” adds Maldonado. “Our base Own has donated popcorn to celebrate directors whose FFF attendance still demands intelligent and edgy enter- our 30th birthday.” resonates today. tainment in tune with what world- Director James Gunn’s film Super wide audiences are talking about ... was an FFF Spotlight Film in 2011, Were it not for Enzian, Orlando might and his first feature, titled Slither, will be way behind in contemporary cine- be shown March 4 at 7:30 p.m. In ma knowledge. The sign of success is 2003, James Caan offered a memora- that we are still around and doing just ble Q-and-A following the screening of fine after 30 years.” Thief. Fans can enjoy Caan in Rollerball For tickets, more information and on March 11 at 8 p.m. a complete schedule of screenings In addition, FFF’s Best of Brouhaha and all events, visit enzian.org or program will showcase 13 winning floridafilmfestival.com. shorts from the theater’s program of the same name. Films will include Audience Independent lifestyle journalist Penny Award-winner Down The Road, written Dickerson was recently awarded an H.F.

courtesy enzian (2) and directed by David DeRienzo. Guggenheim reporting fellowship.

Orlando ARts MAGAZINE March/april 2015 18

16-19 Feature FFF.indd 18 2/18/15 10:53 AM