The creative economy was on full display last weekend when the link hosted JaxFuse Food, Art and Music Day (Oct. 17) followed by Film Day (Oct. 18).
On the heels of a very successful Fashion Day (Oct. 10), creatives working across these diverse disciplines treated attendees — and each other — to an array of sensory experiences. There were discoveries for the eyes, ears and palate and inspiration for creative hopefuls, as well as opportunities to establish mutually beneficial, collaborative relationships across the spectrum of specialties.
This marked the third year the festival has been held at the link, a unique, multipurpose facility located at 425 Town Plaza Ave., Ponte Vedra (in the heart of Nocatee Town Center).
Here’s a look at the final two days of JaxFuse 2026 and some of the people who shared their talents.
Food, Art and Music Day: Saturday, Oct. 17
The large common area of the link was alive with culinary aromas from taste stations arranged around its rim. The diverse fare here drew praise from attendees who, when asked to vote for their favorites, faced a daunting challenge.
The Fionn MacCool’s table was the first encountered by attendees, and it set the standard for the evening. General Manager Jennifer Holmes offered samples of shepherd’s pie, made in the traditional Irish way.
The Irish pub, located at 145 Hilden Road, No. 111, Ponte Vedra, has a full menu — everything made from scratch — and a full bar featuring more than 100 Irish whiskeys, bourbons and scotches, as well as 32 beers on tap.
In reaching out to creatives working in the music space, Holmes said bands can seek a booking at the establishment through Facebook and Instagram.
Learn more about Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub and Restaurant at fionnmacs.com.
At a table nearby, Puja Gautam offered tasty samples from JaxSpice, which serves Indian and Nepali dishes (and a few Indochinese ones, as well). JaxSpice makes everything from scratch and each dish is tailored to individual tastes and preferences.
The restaurant and bar has three locations: 311 3rd St. North, Jacksonville Beach; 150 Fountains Way, St. Johns County; and 5016 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville. Learn more at jaxspice.com.
Under a big umbrella in one corner, Tiffany Mason of Florida Coffee Peddler offered guests a taste of the mobile cart’s fare. Florida Coffee Peddler serves all the coffees that the major chains do as well as handcrafted sodas, fresh-squeezed lemonade, homemade toaster pastries and cookies.
The cart can be found at all types of events, but customers can always zero in on their latest location by consulting Instagram. Mason also said they can text her husband Shawn at 630-618-7908. The website is floridacoffeepeddler.com.
At another table was Savanna Kehl with her Bad Batch Bakery, a home business based in Jacksonville that sells a wide variety of cookies of elevated quality. Kehl provides pickup and delivery throughout Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
Place orders at https://bakebug.com/b/bad-batch-bakery. Bad Batch Bakery can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Other food creatives appearing at JaxFuse included: Thermomix, Nineteen at TPC Sawgrass, Jicama Cafe and Desserts, My Wellness Cuisine LLC, King of Pops, South Kitchen and Spirits, Timoti’s Seafood Shak, Sam’s Caribbean Soul LLC, The Blade and Bulldog, Decadent Flavors By Petra and Zee Parte Cakes.
People’s choice winners were: JaxSpice (first place) and Nineteen (second place).
Meanwhile, the center of the link’s common area was transformed into a fine art gallery for JaxFuse, exhibiting some remarkable works from area artists.
Eric Kasten of Kasten Lapidary & Jewelry displayed his unique pieces, all handmade in Nocatee. Kasten started cutting and polishing stones about 12 years ago and then turned to silversmithing, bringing the two specialties together to create stunning pieces of wearable art.
A silver instructor at the Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society, he has added leatherwork and prints to his stock-in-trade. Find him on Instagram at kasten_lapidary_jewelry.
Anna Miller, a lifelong artist who has been working in St. Johns County for the past 20 years, showed her examples of “dynamic abstraction.” She works mostly in oil but also likes to create with watercolors and ink.
Tonya McGuire exhibited her works in “abstract realism” and previewed her new series, “House of Wings — Reflections of Flight,” which she divides into chapters and appropriately promotes with a bookmark.
McGuire rediscovered her artistic self after a medical procedure in 2023 and began to take instruction online from the Milan Art Institute in Sarasota County. Perhaps no one was more surprised by her skillfully executed artwork than McGuire herself.
“When I found my brushes, I thought, well, this would be a good thing to do, retirement-wise,” she said. “And all of a sudden, I was selling all my studio work!”
One look at her paintings explains the demand for it. Her distinctive style speaks of a master artist at her peak. Learn more at tonyamcguire.com.
Brooke Richardson brought examples of her “Living Color” work, which is vibrant, bright and cheerful.
“I think, a lot of times, we live more of a muted life, so I’m about bringing more color into the world through fabrics, through products, through art,” she said.
Richardson was in Spain pursuing an MBA several years ago when she departed on an adventure of self-discovery. She found herself in Bali, where she really began her creative journey.
Throughout Saturday’s festivities, Lindsay Liskë entertained attendees from the stage playing popular music on her piano.
Film Day: Sunday, Oct. 18
Film Day keynote speaker Monique Madrid, creator of the popular LOL Jax Film Festival, had some essential advice for struggling filmmakers who sometimes just want to give up: “Don’t.”
She described her introduction to filmmaking through husband Adam and the many difficulties she faced while establishing the now-revered comedy film festival and becoming co-producer for the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project. The latter has seen local artists advance to Filmapalooza and even the famous Cannes Film Festival in France.
“Don’t let anybody discourage you,” she said. “Just do it.”
Following Madrid, filmmaker Tery Spataro gave a presentation on using A.I. and creating micro-dramas. A micro-drama is a very short production designed to be watched on a smart phone. It poses unusual challenges. The frame is very tight, with an aspect ratio of 9:16 vertical. Its duration is between 20 seconds and three minutes. And a series consists of 20 to 100 serialized episodes.
The festivities then turned to screening the entries, of which there were more than a dozen.
The films ran the gamut. There was comedy, drama, fantasy, experimental, film noir and even a musical. Some were simply fun while others made you think. A couple ended on poignant notes that stayed with you.
And, even though the creatives participating in Sunday’s event were largely those behind the camera, something should be said about the excellent acting performances, especially among the younger actors, who, in many cases, stole the show.
After each block of films, there was a short, informative panel discussion and Q&A with the filmmakers.
The first film screened was Alexa Wint’s “Restless,” a humorous ghost story in which a young, self-proclaimed paranormal investigator tries to help a homeowner end a haunting.
Anna Vino and her 8-year-old daughter Collette presented “Shenanigans!” a quirky, humorous look at a corporate boardroom.
Jatinder Bhan’s “Finders Keepers” followed. The suspenseful drama featured an exceptional acting performance by young Adalena Pulliam.
“White Out,” a dazzling experimental film from Tery Spataro’s Cosmic Cats and Flying Cupcakes Productions demonstrated the capabilities of A.I. filmmaking.
Royce Freeman’s “Roommates” was the festival’s lone musical and featured a quirky cast and a catchy, hilarious song. With a run time of just eight minutes, one wouldn’t expect a complete, self-contained and successful musical comedy, but “Roommates” accomplished just that.
In his film “This Time It’s Personal” Ben Stone pays tribute to the film noir genre, including stylistic choices from the golden age of Hollywood, while applying a young adult filter.
“We Lived” from DJ Remark tells the story of a possibly dangerous visitor in the aftermath of an apocalyptic event. The film captures the struggle for hope in a hopeless world and distrust of strangers when the architecture of civilization has collapsed. The ending speaks loudly.
Aimee Ortiz’s “The Quest,” which follows a father and son as they take their annual camping trip, is more than that description suggests. The interaction between the two characters is priceless.
Ben Stone returned with “Spoiler Alert,” another humorous young adult film.
It’s difficult to characterize “Shadowman” from Claire Louise Huder. It’s a fantastic tale of a boy who carelessly wishes for his sister to vanish only to face the potential consequences of this choice. There are some nice science-fiction special effects and action between the forces of good and evil. Perhaps the film is strongest in revealing the heart-wrenching affection between the boy and his sister.
David Girard’s “Normal” was an exceptional look at the roller-coaster ride couples face in their relationships. Internal dialogue lands with perfect aim. The production values, the directorial choices and the acting were all top-shelf.
The evening concluded with Alisha Johnson’s “Twas the Night Before a Girls’ Trip,” Tery Spataro’s “M3LT by Lily Madison,” Caleb Lopez’s “Duck,” Gilles Bovon’s “Benighted Creatures” and Jatinder Bhan’s “The Last Call.”
Here’s a look at the festival winners, as chosen by a panel of judges:
MEET JATINDER BHAN
Jatinder Bhan presented two of his films at JaxFuse 2026, “The Last Call” and 2018’s “Finders Keepers.” The latter featured Adalena Pulliam, who won the Best Actress award for that film at the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project.
Bhan is a Jacksonville transplant, moving here from Toronto where he was involved in the Toronto International Film Festival. Originally from India, he maintains close ties with Bollywood and, in fact, has been instrumental in bringing Indian productions to Northeast Florida for filming, and in the process helping to strengthen the connection between international cinema and Jacksonville’s growing creative community.
He represents the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry in North America.
A big supporter of the cinematic arts locally, he is a producer and director of short films and has even acted in a 2024 film by Freeman Films, whose Royce Freeman also had an entry in the JaxFuse festival.
“I always encourage people to reach out and get some guidance and follow a mentor who can help them through the process,” he said. “And I always encourage them to make more movies. The more movies that are made here, the more it benefits everybody.”
In the two films he screened this year, all of the actors and crew members were from Jacksonville.
An alumnus of the Asian Academy of Film & Television, he has worked across the spectrum of short films, documentaries and feature productions. In India, he worked on a couple of soap operas and did seven or eight TV commercials.
He has hosted Bollywood celebrities both in Toronto and Jacksonville. Though he maintains a separate career in real estate, Bhan continues to work in this creative field.
“I’ve been very, very busy with the media and entertainment industry,” he said.
He called Jacksonville “a very vibrant community,” but is realistic about its place in the American film industry. Jacksonville was a major motion picture hub in the silent era before Los Angeles became the cinematic capital of the United States.
Bhan cited the challenge of having Atlanta, where Georgia’s film industry is centered, so close by. Hollywood has a presence on both the East and West coasts, and Jacksonville’s neighbor to the north already fulfills the needs of the former.
Still, with filmmakers like Bhan working here, Northeast Florida continues to hold a significant place on the motion picture landscape.
