Lineup for the 2026 Boca Grande Film Festival
Step into a world of storytelling, creativity and community. This year’s festival brings a hand-picked lineup of films that will inspire, entertain and spark meaningful conversations. Dive deeper into the art of cinema with an interactive screenwriting workshop, speakers who share fascinating behind-the-scenes insights and lawn trivia games where you can put your film knowledge to the test.
The film festival will be held at the Community Center Auditorium. Arrival is allowed up to 30 minutes before the movie, but be in your seats at least 5 minutes before the start to avoid losing them, as tickets are also sold at the door. Everyone is encouraged to stay on campus for the entire event as lunch will be provided each day, as well as refreshments and snacks throughout. After each screening, attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite films and the first, second and third place will be announced at the closing ceremony.
All-Access Sponsor Pass
$600 PER PERSON ($300 Charitable/$300 Pass)
Includes exclusive access to the “Oscar” VIP Party, films, festival gear, bagged lunches and entry to opening and closing ceremonies. A sponsorship is your ticket into the most glamorous night on the island. Secure your sponsorship today and join us for an unforgettable celebration of film, community, and culture.
General Festival Pass
$300 PER PERSON
Includes access to films, bagged lunches and entry to opening and closing ceremonies.
For festival sponsorships and perks, call (941) 964-0827.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
THE MARCHING BAND
2024 / 1hr 43m / 6:30 p.m.
Thibaut (Benjamin Lavernhe) is an internationally renowned conductor who travels the world. When he learns he was adopted, he discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy (Pierre Lottin), who works in a school cafeteria and plays the trombone in a small marching band. Everything seems to set them apart, except their love of music. Sensing his brother’s exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate.
DIR: Emmanuel Courcol
SCR: Emmanuel Courcol, Irène Muscari, Oriane Bonduel
Thursday, Feb. 19
SALLY
2025 / 1hr 43m / 10 a.m.
Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, but beneath her unflappable composure, she carried a secret. Revealing the romance and sacrifices of their 27 years together, Sally’s life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, tells the full story of this complicated and iconic astronaut for the first time. From National Geographic Documentary Films.
DIR: Cristina Costantini
PROD: Cristina Costantini, Lauren Cioffi, Jon Bardin, Dan Cogan
COLOR BOOK
2024 / 1hr 55m / 2 p.m.
Following his wife’s recent passing, single father Lucky finds himself navigating the challenges of raising his son Mason, who has Down syndrome. Mason is an 11-year-old exuberant boy who enjoys drawing and watching baseball with his dad. Seeking solace, Lucky and Mason embark on a journey across Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game together. Throughout their day-long trip, they encounter Murphy’s Law. From car breakdowns to missed trains, they face a series of obstacles that test their relationship with each other. Despite the setbacks, they persevere, determined to reach the game. Together, Lucky and Mason learn that healing does not await them at the mountaintop but can be found with every step along the path. “Color Book” provides an intimate portrait of a father and son while exploring the experiences of raising a child with Down syndrome, highlighting the strength and resilience that emerge from their bond.
DIR: David Fortune
PROD: Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey
DJ AHMET
2025 / 1hr 39m / 5 p.m.
Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else.
DIR: Georgi M. Unkovski
PROD: Ivan Unkovski, Ivana Shekutkoska, Katarina Prpić
Friday, Feb. 20
WAVES
2024 / 2hr 11m / 10 a.m.
WAVES was a standout hit at the Milwaukee Film Festival. This gripping, action-packed thriller follows a daring radio group as they fight against media censorship during the Prague Spring of the 1960s. Tense, fast-paced and electrifying, the film brings history to life while exploring the power of free expression. Recognized for its impact and storytelling, WAVES made the shortlist for Best International Feature at the 2025 Oscars.
DIR: Jiří Mádl
PROD: Monika Kristlová, Vlasta Kristl
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
2024 / 2hr 21m / 2 p.m.
Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A Complete Unknown follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
DIR: James Mangold
PROD: Fred Berger, Alex Heineman, James Mangold, Timothée Chalamet, Peter Jaysen, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, Jeff Rosen
Saturday, Feb. 21
FOUR MOTHERS
2024 / 1hr 29m / 2 p.m.
Edward (James McArdle), a talented novelist on the cusp of literary success, is juggling his work with the responsibility of caring for his elderly mother, Alma (Fionnula Flanagan). As the excitement of a US book tour builds, he is suddenly faced with an unexpected twist as his three friends decide to take an impromptu Pride getaway to Spain, leaving their mothers in his care. Winner of the BFI London Film Festival Audience Award, this uplifting comedy-drama follows an unlikely found family on an emotionally charged journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
DIR: Darren Thornton
PROD: Martina Niland, Eric Abraham, Jack Sidey
SCR: Darren Thornton, Colin Thornton
