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There is nothing subtle about your first crush. It is electric. Consuming. Slightly delusional. Completely unforgettable. The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo, directed by Michael Walker, dives headfirst into that feeling and does not apologize for it. Screening as part of the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the film transports audiences back to 1984 with big hair, arcade glow, and the emotional intensity of teenage life.

Some films begin with a plan. Others begin with a moment. For filmmaker Jane Centofante, Saffron Robe began during what was meant to be a simple journey. A first trip to Southeast Asia. A desire to see new places. A visit to an old friend. Then Luang Prabang changed everything. Nestled in northern Laos, the city’s quiet streets, golden temples, and saffron-robed monks revealed something Centofante realized most people in the West rarely see or understand: the deep, endu

For forty years, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival has quietly done something remarkable. It has adapted, endured, and remained culturally relevant in an industry that has transformed almost beyond recognition. As FLiFF celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, Managing Director Hal Axler sees longevity not as an accident, but as a direct result of staying responsive to audiences, filmmakers, and the moment.