As a competitive venue for filmmakers, The Palm Beach International Film Festival hosts filmmakers, celebrities, industry executives, and press from around the world.

Attendance over the past two years has increased over 50 percent to nearly 40,000 attendees.

New concepts have been introduced such as family events, film student interest seminars and more opportunities for the public to meet and converse with filmmakers and talent.

The PBIFF is a not for profit 501 (c) 3, Florida registration number #65-0599763, charity dedicated to improving educational programs in Palm Beach county high school, community colleges and universities. Proceeds benefit film and television programs throughout Palm Beach County.

History

PBIFF was founded in 1996 by Commissioner Burt Aaronson and local philanthropist George Elmore with the vision that a film festival would offer an exciting cultural venue for the community and be a tremendous fundraiser for educational film and television programs throughout Palm Beach County schools. The PBIFF has hosted a bevy of top celebrities and filmmakers including: Academy Award® Winners Adrien Brody, Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones, Faye Dunaway, Dennis Hopper, Louise Fletcher and Michael Caine; Academy Award® Nominees Salma Hayek, Edward Norton, Robert Evans, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Harrelson and Burt Reynolds. Along with countless other legends, stars and filmmakers that have created movie magic for the past 80 years, including: Roger Moore, Faye Wray, Esther Williams, Anouk Aimee, Samuel L. Jackson, Cyd Charisse, Richard Zanuck, William Friedkin, Brett Ratner, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael Clarke Duncan and Rod Steiger.

As a part of the on-going effort to raise the Palm Beach International Film Festival to a new level, PBIFF became a competitive forum in 2003. Annually, filmmakers selected for competition have the opportunity to receive acknowledgment for their artistic work in such categories as Best Picture, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, Best Short Film and Audience Favorite.

PBIFF Today

Now entering its 12th year the PBIFF is a week long celebration of American and International Independent Film that is growing in size and stature as one of the only festivals in the world that gives back to the community. In 2005 and 2006 PBIFF was recognized as one of the top 25 Independent film festivals in the world. The PBIFF is dedicated to continued growth, providing an opportunity for tourists, festival guests and the community to experience Palm Beach County.

In 2005, local business woman Yvonne S. Boice took the reins as Board Chair. As we prepare to celibate our 12th anniversary in 2007, the festival will continues this annual tradition of honoring film legends of yesterday and today with a focus on building our filmmakers of tomorrow.

Commitment to Education

The Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of future filmmakers. To date, over one million dollars of festival proceeds have been donated to area school’s film and television programs in the forms of grants and scholarships. Year-round activities provided by PBIFF to the over 2600 students currently enrolled in these programs include seminars, workshops and “hands-on” experience with filmmakers and professionals from all areas of the industry. The climax of student activities is the Student Showcase of Films, held during the annual week long film festival. Here, these young artists are the focus. Student filmmakers from high school, community college and university levels enter their work in competition for scholarship money and the chance to have their film shown on the “big screen” during the festival.