PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The Palm Beach International Film Festival advertises that it is operating in its 28th year. However, there are no screenings, and some filmmakers said they've been cheated.
One of the many movies that were supposed to be screened at the festival was Shara Ashley Zeiger's silent movie, "I Moustache You."
"Like a play on, "I must ask you a question.' But I mustache you, like the curlies," Zeiger said as she pointed to where a mustache would be.
Zeiger flew her family to South Florida from New York, hoping her parents and friends in Delray Beach could be part of the festival.
And then she got the bad news this weekend.
"They canceled everything," Zeiger said. "It just really doesn't feel good. I mean we spent all this money to come down here. We had to get a plane, we had to rent a car."
"There's some pretty upset people right now who are here right now and don’t have a screening venue for in some cases, their world premieres," Zeiger said.
Palm Beach County Film and Television Commissioner Michelle Hillery pointed out that her public organization is not connected to the Palm Beach International Film Festival.
She's helped a couple of filmmakers, who feel cheated by the cancelation of so many events, get private screenings at a Lake Worth mom-and-pop theater.
But the Palm Beach International Film Festival, according to its website, is now virtual, with no local screenings.
"It's unfortunate we have to talk about our industry in this negative way for an industry that has such a positive impact in our community," Hillery added.
A letter to filmmakers from festival director Kevin Mills blamed a lack of theater to screen movies in person.
Zeiger's movie is being screened at other festivals this week but not in Palm Beach County.
"I had two other film festivals I could have gone to," Zeiger said, "but I chose to come here this week and so money has been spent and there are things I can't get back, you know, that's what it is."
Contact 5 tried to reach Palm Beach International Film Festival organizer Kevin Mills, but when WPTV called the number for the festival, a man answering said Mills is no longer with the organization and the organization has no comment.
