Join us at Kleman Plaza on Saturday, September 27, for the Live & Local festival featuring Bench Warmer, a project by Cameron Gilson, offering a mix of acoustic and shoegaze sounds. Enjoy local food, shops, and a special film screening of Empire Records under the stars. Celebrate music and community!
This program of seven short films explores the tension between performance and authenticity — from influencer baiting in Central Park to a home assistant’s existential crisis. Whether it’s a third martini that opens the door to mystery, a stoner’s worldview shaken by an old friend, or a chef devoured by perfectionism, each story blends absurdity with raw emotion. These are tales of connection, confusion, and the strange flavors of being human.
The film by Farihah Lara Zaman, Jeff David Reichert, and Jim McKay documents a December 2019 protest by the New Sanctuary Coalition in New York, where volunteers express solidarity with migrants facing deportation and family separation amid a harsh immigration system. It highlights a 3,000-year tradition of protest and silent prayer.
Set in a New York dive bar before Christmas 2019, Adam Volerich's film follows Chet, a bartender struggling with maturity. He navigates the needs of his aging, misanthropic regulars while yearning for holiday cheer. The film, blending drama and comedy, explores themes of responsibility and the holiday spirit.
In this program, boundaries blur and perspectives drift. This collection of eight experimental shorts invites viewers into liminal spaces—between land and sea, memory and myth, ritual and rebellion. Each film offers a distinct lens on transformation, whether through decaying landscapes, fractured identities, or surreal encounters.
The film by Xander Robin documents Florida's annual invasive python removal contest in the Everglades, where amateur hunters face challenges and fears while a professional undermines the competition. The film explores the urgency of protecting the ecosystem amidst the python hysteria, blending documentary, comedy, and environmental themes. The filmmaker and one of the subjects from the film will be in attendance for a post-film discussion.
The Live & Local event at Kleman Plaza on September 27 features indie band Sleep John B, known for their emotional performances. Attendees can enjoy food from local vendors, explore pop-up shops, and watch a special 30th anniversary screening of Empire Records. The event celebrates music, community, and local culture.
This compelling double feature explores the dangerous intersections of love and oppressive societal structures. First, in "My Comrade", a wounded rebel and a tribal villager find themselves entangled in a tense story of politics and forbidden love when the rebel seeks refuge. Then, "Two People Exchanging Saliva" presents an absurdist tragedy set in a world where kissing is a capital offense and slaps are currency. An unhappy woman's fascination with a salesgirl leads to a burgeoning connection, attracting suspicion in this surreal dystopia.
Live & Local at Kleman Plaza on September 27 features One.Will, a Tallahassee lifestyle artist known for his unique sound. Attendees can enjoy music, local food and pop-up shops, culminating in a special screening of Empire Records for its 30th anniversary. It's a celebration of community and creativity, supported by local sponsors.
A film by Robby Rackleff and Alan Resnick follows Obie, a loser who encounters the Dance Freak, a creature resembling him. His ex, Dorty, tries to save him with the help of scientist Gorgul. The 2025 experimental horror-comedy features a mix of black and white and color. 97 minutes long.
Escape into a program of short films that blurs the lines between reality and artifice, from an urban food co-op's technological experiment gone awry to a sci-fi thief's journey in a dystopian colony. Other tales include a noir story of a memory-battling agent, a surrealist disruption of an American sitcom's reality, and a poignant Midwestern story of grief. The collection concludes with an absurdist tragedy set in a repressive society where affection is forbidden.
"River of Grass," directed by Sasha Wortzel, reimagines Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s 1947 book, showcasing the Everglades as a vital ecosystem. Through dream-driven narratives and real-life stories, the film explores resistance against climate change, featuring diverse characters and interweaving historical insights, ultimately reflecting on America's environmental legacy and future resilience.