Vero Beach, FL
Florida’s Vero Beach Film Festival is back for its most ambitious, immersive film experience yet. Scheduled for April 10th through April 13th, the festival is bringing together film lovers from across the nation alongside celebrity icons, film industry leaders, and the next generation of filmmakers.
“Since its founding in 2016, the Vero Beach Film Festival has honored the independent film industry by embracing the importance of community,” stated Executive Director David Yakir. “Each year, we receive hundreds of film submissions, all created with love and care. The film gems selected for the festival, as well as their creators, receive much-needed recognition, exposure, audience support, and even network deals from those in the industry. We are looking forward to sharing our selections with film lovers this year, as well as highlighting the minds behind each.”
Ahead of the festival’s launch, Premier Pass holders will gain access to an exclusive April 7th Pre-Festival Friends and Family Dinner hosted at the Grand Harbor Beach Club, which will include gourmet food, wine, and entertainment.
The full event kicks off April 10th with a collection of short films curated by Critics Choice Association member and Program Director Herb Stratford. Later in the day will see the first showing of ‘Breakup Season’, a feature romance film starring Chandler Riggs (‘The Walking Dead’) and Samantha Isler (‘Molly’s Game’) that has scored 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Also showing on day 1 are ‘Capturing Kennedy’, the story of untold chapters of the Kennedy Presidency, redemption drama ‘Lena and Vladimir’, and ‘Sally’, a documentary surrounding the life and secrets of the first woman in space Sally Ride. The night will conclude with a lively DJ Dance Party, celebrating the event’s start, and welcoming the filmmakers of the 2025 festival.
Throughout the festival, various film labs and panels will be conducted, immersing attendees into the realities of the world behind the camera and educating aspiring filmmakers on knowledge for the future. Young filmmakers will even have their moment in the spotlight on April 12th with the NextUP! Student Films & Awards show.
Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to attend at select times the Filmmakers Hidden Lounge (an intimate retreat full of food, wine, intimate film discussions), the Grand Wine Tasting, and even an invite-only cocktail night with filmmakers.
“After months of preparation, the moment is truly here to showcase all our team members and contributors have worked towards,” stated Yakir. “Our schedule this year is packed with films, documentaries, and shorts that will have you laughing, crying, and even at times a bit of both. We can’t wait to see everyone there”
Passes can be purchased here
Thursday, April 10th:
- Program Director’s 2025 Short Picks (10:30am)
- Documentary Shorts 1- Bits & Pieces (12pm)
- ‘Breakup Season’ (12:30)
- Dramatic Shorts 2- Moments (2:45pm)
- ‘Capturing Kennedy’ (3pm)
- ‘Lena and Vladmir’ (5:15pm)
- SALLY- Opening Night Film & Jury Awards Presentation (5:30pm)
- Filmmaker Welcome DJ Dance Party (8pm)
Friday, April 11th:
- Networking & Film Lab (9am)
- ‘The Short Game’ (10:45am)
- ‘Cathy & Harry’ (11am)
- Documentary Shorts 2- Earth’s Tapestry (11am)
- ‘Everything’s Kosher’ (11:30am)
- The Filmmakers Hidden Lounge (12pm)
- ‘Capturing Kennedy’ (12:45pm)
- ‘Lena and Vladmir’ (1:15pm)
- Networking and Film Panel (1:15pm)
- Dramatic Shorts 1- Adrenaline (2:15pm)
- ‘Ultimate Citizens’ (3pm)
- ‘Fielding Dreams: A Celebrations of Baseball Scouts’ (3:15pm)
- ‘The Paper Bag Plan’ (3:30pm)
- Comedy Shorts (5pm)
- ‘The Cedars Have Eyes: Lebanon in Crisis’ (5:30)
- ‘The Pantone Guy’ (5:45pm)
- ‘Sally’ (6pm)
- The Grand Wine Tasting (6pm)
- ‘Bob from Vero Beach’ (7:30pm)
Saturday, April 12th
- Networking & Film Lab (8:30am)
- Comedy Shorts (10am)
- Documentary Shorts 1- Bits & Pieces (10:30am)
- ‘Everything’s Kosher’ (10:30am)
- ‘Cathy & Harry’ (11am)
- The Filmmakers Hidden Lounge (12pm)
- ‘The Cigarette Surfboard’ (12:30pm)
- ‘Breakup Season’ (12:45pm)
- Dramatic Shorts 2- Moments (1pm)
- ‘The Big Scoot’ (1pm)
- ‘The Pantone Guy’ (3pm)
- ‘The Short Game’ (3:15pm)
- ‘The Cedars Have Eyes: Lebanon in Crisis’ (3:15pm)
- NextUP! Student Films & Awards (3:30pm)
- ‘Vero Visions’ (5:30pm)
- ‘Omaha’ (5:45pm)
- INVITE ONLY- Cocktails with Filmmakers (6pm)
- ‘Fielding Dreams: A Celebration of Baseball Scouts’ (6pm)
- ‘Night of the Living Dead- The Charter Way’ (8pm)
Sunday, April 13th
- Networking & Film Lab (8:15am)
- Dramatic Shorts 1- Adrenaline (10am)
- NextUP! Student Films (10:15am)
- ‘The Big Scoot’ (12:30pm)
- Documentary Shorts 2- Earth’s Tapestry (12:45pm)
- ‘Vero Visions’ (1pm)
- ‘Lights, Camera, Friendship on the Spectrum & Autism (3pm)
- ‘The Paper Bag Plan’ (3:15pm)
- ‘The Cigarette Surfboard’ (3:30pm)
- WRAP UP PARTY (5pm)
About the Vero Beach Film Festival:
The Vero Beach Film Festival is a non-profit arts organization that celebrates independent filmmaking and enhances the South Florida community, both culturally and economically. The festival team is passionate about film, recognizing its ability to introduce audiences to new experiences, evoke deep emotions, and inspire solutions in challenging times. Over the years, the Vero Beach Film Festival has welcomed hundreds of filmmakers from around the world and showcased a diverse array of films across various genres.
