Filmmakers and actors will be in St. Augustine for the 15th annual St. Augustine Film Festival, taking place Jan. 9-12. Films will screen in Lewis Auditorium and Gamache-Koger Theatre, and in the Alcazar Room, part of City Hall in the historic Lightner Museum. Passes are on sale now at staugfilmfest.com Forty films will play at the four-day event, featuring indie, international, local and regional filmmakers.
Some film highlights:
“Queen Of The Ring”
Opening Night Film on Jan. 10 The true story of Mildred Burke, a female wrestler in the 1930s that dealt with sexism, misogyny and corruption to become the first woman athlete to earn a million dollars. The film stars Emily Bett Rickards (“Brooklyn”) as Mildred; Cara Buono (“Stranger Things”) as her mom; Francesca Fisher-Eastwood (daughter of actress Frances Fisher and director/actor Clint Eastwood) as a fellow wrestler; Josh Logan (“Ford Vs Ferrari”), who discovers Mildred; Walton Coggins (“Justified,” “The Hateful 8”) as a promoter; Gavin Casalegno (“The Vampire Diaries”) as Josh Logan's son, who falls in love with Mildred; and Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”) as G. Bill. Directed by Ash Avildsen.
“Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” Showcases the six-decade career of award-winning costume designer, Bob Mackie. And like his costumes, Mackie is wholly unique and unfiltered, which makes for a compelling and candid subject. The film examines his unique upbringing, those whom he has held dear within his inner circle, and the familial surprises in his life that have all contributed to the optimism and audacity present in his work, such as Cher and Carol Burnett.
“The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story” The story of the colorful and controversial, legendary surfboard designer and builder, Dick Brewer. The father of the modern-day surfboard, Brewer changed the design of surfing equipment not once, not twice, but three times in his 50-year career as a trailblazer. His invention of the tow board, a design innovation made in collaboration with early test pilots Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox and Darrick Doemer, raised the bar of big wave surfing beyond the scope of what was envisioned possible. With archival footage, a retro soundtrack and great interviews with surfing legends such as Kai Lenny and Garrett McNamara, “The Shape of Things” has won several audience awards since its World Premiere at the Honolulu Surf Film Festival.
“Here's Yianni!” Yianni and Plousia own a charming family diner by the beach in New Jersey, where Yianni is a convivial host. Lately, Plousia has noticed that her husband of 40 years is not quite himself and is often wistfully distracted. The film is a combination of comedy, drama and reality. The cast includes Joe Cortese (“Green Book,” “American History X”), Julia Ormond (“Sabrina,” “My Week With Marilyn,” “The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button,” “Smilla’s Sense Of Snow,” “First Knight”), Kevin Pollak (“The Usual Suspects,” “A Few Good Men,” “The Whole Ten Yards”), Rosanna Arquette (“Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Pulp Fiction,” “After Hours”), Eric Roberts (“Pope Of Greenwich Village,” “Star 80,” “Runaway Train’), and Sofia Vassilieva (“Medium,” and last year’s “Lissa’s Trip”).
Who Will Be Here?
Filmmakers, actors and producers will be in St. Augustine in support of the films. More names will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2025 St. Augustine Film Festival will include 40 films and parties each evening for passholders — at iconic and historic St. Augustine locations, including a harbor cruise during Nights of Lights (for the first 90 who RSVP as a passholder).
Passes and individual film tickets are available at staugfilmfest.com The St. Augustine Film Festival partners with the SJC Cultural Events Inc. and is supported in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council and the St. Johns Cultural Council. Founding sponsors are Arnold and Barbara Grevior, annual patrons include Eileen and Jeff Schomburger, Jon Schwartz and Sheila Kolesaire, along with other business and private sponsors and supporters.
The Passes
The St. Augustine Film Festival Passes are:
The Lewis Badge, $90 Provides admission to all films presented at Lewis Auditorium, Jan. 9-12. Most of the grander films will play at this venue.
The All Film Badge, $125 Provides admission to any film, any venue, which includes Lewis Auditorium, Gamache-Koger Theatre and The Alcazar Room. Other screening venues may come into play as well.
The All Access Badge, $275 Provides all the flexibility of the All Film Badge plus access to:
