Fun at the Palm Beach International Film Festival

The Palm Beach International Film Festival may have ended last night, but it will stay in the minds of the film buffs who traveled from across the world to view the collection of 21 feature films, 18 documentaries, and a good amount of short and student films.


Samantha Gurowski, Burt Young, Stephanie Dunn

The PBIFF opened with a bang last Wednesday, March 23, with a screening of "Win Win," Tom McCarthy's acclaimed film about "a nice-guy New Jersey lawyer whose practice is floundering, his office is falling to bits, and the high school wrestling team he coaches with curmudgeonly Vigman hasn't won a match all season." It was the perfect opening night flick: A low-key, engaging, sometimes hilarious emotional observation of several vulnerable characters (played by Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Burt Young, and newcomer Alex Schaffer). There was plenty to discuss at the after-party at Pura Vida Lounge & Nightclub in West Palm Beach, where the film's costar Burt Young (a.k.a Pauly from "Rocky") happened to be hanging.

Estee Rubinstein, Richard Jenkins, Amber Clark

The Silver Screen Splash, the festival's premiere event, took place poolside on Friday, March 25, at the ritzy Boca Raton Resort & Club, where Oscar-nominated actor Richard Jenkins (you may remember him from "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Stepbrothers") was present to accept an award. In between speeches and performances, attendees chatted around the pool, bid during a silent auction, and helped themselves to an open bar and food stations with sliders and truffle fries.

 

Then, before we knew it, it was closing night. After a screening of "The First Grader," the inspiring true story of an 84-year-old former prisoner who attends primary school to learn how to read, the "It's A Wrap" party was held last night at Deck 84 in Delray Beach. Gathered around Deck 84's outdoor bar, attendees sipped cocktails and discussed their favorite films from the weekend until bartenders were forced to give a last call.

Until next year, PBIFF.