9 Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Launches for the First time with a Musical Comedy

The 29th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) opens November 7 with Lucky Stiff, marking the first time the festival debuts with a musical comedy. The films stars Jason Alexander and Pamela Shaw are scheduled to attend the screening at The Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Amaturo Theater.

2013 by Mark Fellman

Book writer/lyricist Lynn Ahrens adapted her clever 1988 New York stage hit for the screen with additional songs written by her and composer Stephen Flaherty. The film, directed by Christopher Ashley and produced by J. Todd Harris and Victor Syrmis, also stars Dominic Marsh, Nikki M. James, and the late Dennis Farina.

The plot, which shares a writing style and production design with Little Shop of Horrors, follows a young down-and-out British shoe salesman named Harry Witherspoon (Marsh) who takes his dead uncle's body to Monte Carlo for the best time of his life - a week of fun, dancing, gambling and sun. If the young man fulfills his uncles request to the letter, he will inherit the $6 million left to him. If he doesn't, the money will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.

As Harry races from casino to nightclub to beach to bedroom with his dead uncle, he is chased by a desperate optometrist (Alexander), an avaricious showgirl, a mysterious Italian playboy (Farina) and a trigger-happy murderess (Shaw), as well as a young woman (James) dead set on getting that money for the dogs. Guns go off, disguises go on, champagne corks pop, nightmares come to life, romance blossoms, dogs bark, and everyone sings! It's a zany, frothy, colorful and fast-paced musical comedy with a very happy ending.

In addition to the grand opening planned, FLIFF will also honor Jason Alexander with a Career Achievement Award.

Other notable attendees include:

George Hamilton, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award

Daniel Baldwin will receive the Renaissance Award for writing, directing and starring in The Wisdom to Know the Difference, which will be screened during the festival.

Clara Mamet, FLIFF's Star On the Horizon, brings her first film Two Bit Waltz, which she wrote and directed. The film also stars Jared Gilman, William H. Macy and on and off-screen mom Rebecca Pidgeon.

British producer Mike Downey will be honored as Producer of the Decade. Downey will also attend his film Lost in Karastan.

Henry Ian Cusick and Ever Carradine will attend their bittersweet comedy, Frank vs. God, FLIFF's Centerpiece Film.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) will screen 200 films during its 17 day run from November 7-23. Films will be presented at FLIFF's two year-round art-house theaters, Cinema Paradiso-Lauderdale and Cinema Paradiso-Hollywood, as well as the Amaturo Theatre, the Sunrise Civic Theatre and the Miramar Cultural Center. FLIFF is supported by Florida Arts Council, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Florida, The Broward Cultural Division, Air France and Kanbar Entertainment. For further information go to http://www.FLIFF.com

ABOUT LUCKY STIFF

LUCKY STIFF is set to be released in 2015. Watch the trailer here: http://youtu.be/kXdT4FGiUnw

For updates on the film, follow LUCKY STIFF on Facebook.

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