ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s time to grab the popcorn and get ready, because Hollywood is heading to Central Florida again.

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The 31st annual Florida Film Festival will kick off Friday, showcasing dozens of films from around the globe.

The event lasts through April 17 and will feature celebrity sightings, critically acclaimed film,s as well as world premieres and more.

READ: Florida Film Festival lineup includes 167 films, appearance by William Shatner

Here are 9 things you need to know before heading to the theaters.

This year’s festival will screen 167 films representing 37 countries.
Of the selected films, 145 of them will be premieres, including 24 world premieres.
The films will be shown on three screens at two locations, Enzian and Regal Winter Park Village.

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Highlights at this year’s festival include “892,” “The Territory,” “Warsha,” “The Headhunter’s Daughter” and “Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver,” as well as the opening night film “Pre Fab!” and world premieres of documentaries “Path of the Panther,” “Jack Has a Plan” and “Surviving Pulse.”
Enzian has been the host of the Florida Film Festival since 1992.
This year’s festival lineup includes 84 women and eight non-binary filmmakers — the most in the festival’s 31-year history and 55% of this year’s total programming.

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A Hollywood-caliber event such as the Florida Film Festival wouldn’t be complete without celebrity sightings. Actor-turned-astronaut William Shatner is arguably the biggest star set to appear at this year’s festival. On Friday, there will be a screening of the 1986 film “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” followed by a Q&A with Shatner in person.
The 19 features and 59 short films in the American Independent Competition will be eligible for up to three awards each: A Grand Jury Award, a Special Jury Award and an Audience Award determined by audience votes for narrative feature, documentary feature and best short film. International films are also eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature and Best International Short, and an audience award will be presented for the best midnight short.
Moviegoers can choose individual movie tickets, festival packages and festival passes. Click here to purchase.

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