Hosted by Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will host the 32^nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival’s (FLiFF) opening event at Hard Rock Live on Friday, Nov. 3. The star-studded evening begins with a 5 p.m. screening of the revelatory documentary “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World.”   At 7:30 p.m. the bittersweet comedy, “Dog Years” starring Burt Reynolds, will be presented and followed by a post-screening party.

Legendary actor, director and producer, Burt Reynolds will make a rare public appearance for the premiere of “Dog Years” in which he stars as a former Hollywood icon whose life in the slow lane changes when he’s invited to receive a Lifetime Achievement award at a film festival. Producer Brian Cavallaro will join Reynolds at the screening. Prior to the film, FLiFF will present Mr. Reynolds with the Lifetime Achievement Award “Part Deux.” The festival first honored Mr. Reynolds with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. “Dog Years” co-stars include: Ariel Winter, Clark Duke, Ellar Coltrane, Nikki Blonsky, Chevy Chase, Kathleen Nolan, Al-Jaleel Knox, Shelley Waggener and Todd Vittum.

Named “The # 1 Box Office Star” for five years in a row, Reynolds’ record is still unmatched.  The Oscar®-nominee for Best Supporting Role in “Boogie Nights,” Reynolds has given us some of the most entertaining moments in motion picture history in an uncountable number of films including: “Deliverance,” “Sharkey’s Machine” and of course, “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Smokey and the Bandit 2.”  Reynolds’ commitment to his profession and devotion to education has provided tremendous opportunities to thousands of college students.  Reynolds is currently shooting the feature, “Defining Moments.”

Oscar®-nominated actor Graham Greene and executive producers, Guitarist Stevie Salas and Christina Fon will attend the screening of “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World.”   With over 140 film and television credits, Greene, has given us some of the most memorable moments in films like “The Green Mile,” “Dances With Wolves” and “Maverick.”  Prior to the screening of “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World,” Christopher Osceola, Seminole Tribal Council Hollywood Representative, will present Greene with a FLiFF Lifetime Achievement Award.    

While performing as Rod Stewart’s guitarist in the 1980s, Stevie Salas, an Apache Indian, realized that no one outside of the music business knew about the influence indigenous people had on popular music in North America. Focusing on music icons including Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson and Randy Castillo, “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” shows how these pioneering Native American musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives.

Winner of a Special Jury Award for Masterful Storytelling at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and the Audience Award and Best Canadian Documentary at Hot Docs, “Rumble” features interviews with more than 25 musicians, historians, and experts including Buddy Guy, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Bennett, Taj Mahal, Martin Scorsese, Quincy Jones, John Trudell, Steven Tyler, Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Slash (Guns ‘N’ Roses), Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Pat Vegas (Redbone), Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) and Taylor Hawkins (The Foo Fighters).

Just beyond the Hard Rock Live box office doors, the arena that has played host to millions will turn into an intimate movie house.  Following the screening of “Dog Years,” there will be an exclusive cinematic after-party experience, anchored by the area’s premier destination for fun and entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to return to Hard Rock Live and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino again this year for the opening night of the festival. The venue is tremendous, and the projection and sound is unbelievably perfect. Their team has an aptitude for making an opening night stylish and fun that is sheer genius. The night will undeniably be one to remember,” commented Gregory von Hausch, president and CEO of Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

The 32^nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival premieres over 160 American Indie, World Cinema and Florida features, documentaries and short films, and rolls out the red carpet for celebrity and filmmaker guests through November 19.

Venue location:  Hard Rock Live is located at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314

Ticket Prices: Film-only tickets for, “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” or “Dog Years,” purchased in advance: $12 general admission, $10 seniors, $9 students and military, $8 for FLiFF Members. Tickets at the door are $15.  Tickets for the “Dog Years” post-screening party include the film and are $100 for non-members and $75 for FLiFF members. Advance purchase is required. Tickets are available at www.FLiFF.com or call the box office at 954-525-FILM (3456).

About Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility, further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This 5,500-seat indoor arena has attracted more than 3 million people since its opening in 2005 and has regularly hosted South Florida’s greatest variety of musical acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Marc Anthony, Billy Joel, Andrea Bocelli, Tim McGraw and Carlos Santana; top comedians including Chris Rock, Robin Williams, Kathy Griffin and George Lopez; as well as major sporting events and events of major sports stars, from UFC matches to charity galas for Jason Taylor, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade and more. For additional information, please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.myhrl.com.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club Bar & Grill, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. The casino offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a poker room. Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 178 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.

For more information, call 800-937-0010, visit us online at casino.hardrock.com/hollywood, or follow us on Facebook: @SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly

About Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLiFF) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing premieres of American Independent and World Cinema films and introducing talent to Broward County as well as through outreach programs throughout Florida.  Over the years FLiFF has premiered many films that have become Oscar winners and nominees including: Volver, Black Swan, The Artist and The Great Beauty.

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