The famous playwright inspires an entire southen dinner on Saturday April 10, 2010.

Each spring The Annual Florida Film Festival grows larger and larger showcasing more films, more art, and most importantly more food ever so slightly engorging Orlando's cultural viewfinder with each passing festival. Last year's highlights for this Orlando foodie included the Cat Cora Tasting and Speaking Event as well as the intensely moving and artful documentary In A Dream about the life and times of an eccentric Philadelphia artist and his family.  Memories of last year's spring time feast for the senses simply doubles the excitement for this year's festival themed so appropriately 'Flavors of the South: Grits, Grace, and Gravy' hearkening the down home, simple, and often sultry life in America's South.

A southern themed film festival in the south lends itself to a bevy of food event treasures. The FFF website summarizes this year's offerings quite succinctly, "Cutting-edge film paired with fine cuisine and wine will take a bow at the 19th annual Florida Film Festival’s Opening Weekend Celebration, April 9 through 11, 2010. The spirit and charm of Southern cuisine defines this year’s Film, Food, and Wine Celebration, Flavors of the South: Grits, Grace, and Gravy, with a stellar lineup of notable chefs in culinary demonstrations, casual brunches, and elegant dinners."

Intrigued? Titillated? Perhaps this might whet your appetite further-the 2010 FFF is chock full of celebrity chefs. Special guests include celebrated masters of Southern cuisine Matt and Ted Lee and Chef Robert Stehling. Participants include Chef Josh Oakley (Enzian/Eden Bar), Chefs James and Julie Petrakis (The Ravenous Pig), Chef Steven Rujak (Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress), Chef Donna Moore (A Chateau Kitchen), Chef Kevin Fonzo (K Restaurant Wine Bar), Chef Brandon McGlamery (Luma on Park), Chef Jeff Palermo (4R Smokehouse), and Whole Foods Market.

Ravenous? Charged? I know I am. The FFF weekend to come has an event for every film and/or foodie lover. This foodie and avid flick fan can think of nothing better than a bright spring weekend enjoying high-brow comfort food, new cinema at it's finest, and a refreshing mint julep. Do yourself and your film and food community a favor by grabbing three to seven friends and attend at least one of the following events (see links for prices and locations):

6:30PM Fri Apr 9 - Opening Night Film & Party : No Grits, No Glory

10:30-12:30PM Sat Apr 10 - Dial 'B' for Bacon: Josh's Southern Brunch

11:00AM Sat Apr 10 - Celebrity Chef Book Signing with The Lee Brothers

1:00-2:00PM Sat Apr 10 - Southern Comfort Luncheon & Discussion with Matt and Ted Lee, Chef John Currence, and Chef Martha Foose. Discussion moderated by Mark Rabinowitz.

2:00PM Sat Apr 10 - Farm to Table Farmer's Market

6:30-10:30PM Sat Apr 10 - Tennessee Williams' Southern Gothic "Family" Reunion Private Dinner

One last note before I send you off to make your film and food plans, one Orlando Food Examiner and food blog writer of www.laptopsandstovetops.com might be in the kitchen cooking under Chef Michel Nischan for the Tennessee Williams' Southern Gothic "Family" Reunion Private Dinner. Since we are nothing if not polite here in the South there is no need to name names, but I can promise two things: one, check back next week for a post about the FFF from the kitchen and two, nothing but the heart and soul of Southern hospitality will be the key ingredient in each and every event at this years Florida Film Festival.