The eighth Vero Beach Film Festival brought more than popcorn and projectors to town, presenting a selection of films that sparked connections and proved their power to unite, inspire and transform.
The festival was filled with a lineup of events, lectures, discussion panels and screenings catering to every cinematic taste.
For film purists, reels rolled at multiple venues over four days within categories that included everything from thought-provoking documentaries to laugh-out-loud comedies and captivating student creations. There was also a dash of glitz and glamour befitting Hollywood’s most exclusive red-carpet affairs.
The week began with a Friends of the Festival Vintner Dinner at the Grand Harbor Beach Club, where attendees enjoyed a delightful evening of gourmet food and wines.
The Jury Awards were announced on Thursday’s Opening Night, following a special screening of “Sally” at the Theatre Guild. And then the night owls in the crowd attended either a Filmmakers Welcome: DJ Dance Party at the Courthouse Executive Center or an After Dark Hang Out at the Indian River Distillery.
On Friday, wine enthusiasts sipped, swirled and savored at the Engel & Volkers Grand Wine Tasting at the Heritage Center, and later in the evening reveled in a special presentation of “Night of the Living Dead” by Charter High School students.
Over the weekend, the Women’s Club of Vero Beach served as the Filmmakers Hidden Lounge, a spot to take a break and socialize while enjoying a snack and wines curated by Varietals and More.
And on Sunday, a happily spent crowd gathered at Walking Tree Brewery for the announcement of the Audience Awards & Festival Wrap Party, where organizers thanked the donors, sponsors, filmmakers and volunteers who helped make the festival a resounding success.
David Yakir, VBFF executive director, said that with such a large-scale event with so many moving parts, it’s essential to have a team you can rely on.
He commented that the festival has changed over the years since its 2016 founding by Jerusha Stewart and Susan Keller Horn.
“We took a couple of years off, and then I inherited this festival,” said Yakir. “My dream for this business was to make an important festival for filmmakers.”
Yakir noted that submissions have increased from approximately 175 to 450 in the last few years, and he underscored that their mission extends beyond filmmakers, with a focus on educational initiatives and collaborations with other nonprofits.
“There’s no better medium on the planet than film to bring awareness to different organizations, whether it be poverty or illiteracy,” added Yakir.
Horn invited Stewart up to the stage and thanked her for envisioning the creation of what was originally the Vero Beach Wine & Film Festival.
Stewart, in turn, thanked Horn for “taking care of my legacy” and added that she has been thrilled with the festival’s growth and support.
“It really is all about the filmmakers. That was the dream that we had from the beginning, to make this a festival that truly celebrated the filmmaker for that weekend. That this was their castle, their royal place, and that people truly knew about their work,” said Stewart.
For more information, and to view a list of the 2025 winning films, visit VBFilmFest.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
