By Rachel Galvin

As the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival celebrates its 40th year, it has expanded beyond its headquarters at Savor Cinema and included a wide range of additional venues for its festival. One of the venues included in the mix is Deerfield’s own Paragon Theater (3894 W. Hillsboro Blvd.) Locals will find films shown there from Feb. 20-26.

People will find a wide variety of feature films to choose from, from “Saffron Robe,” a visually engaging documentary about school for underserved children teaching Lao Theravada Buddhist monk philosophy and culture, to “Sharks,” a black-and-white neo-noir drama-thriller about a man on the margins of society who becomes ensnared in a criminal underworld. These are just two of the many films of varied topics available throughout the festival.

They really have chosen a great selection of movies this year and you can check out the entire schedule, along with ticket information at www.fliff.com. The Deerfield Beach Historical Society members get a special discount for films as well.

Nancy Tiles shows off her painting.

The Deerfield Beach Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center is proud to host 10 top Plein Air artists from South Florida for the 4th Annual Plein Air Festival on March 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cultural Center and also across the street at the Butler House, which is located at 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Artists will paint live starting at 1 p.m., at the historic Butler House and Cultural Center grounds. The public is invited to watch these talented artists create artworks in a diversity of styles and a variety of mediums including oils, watercolors, gouache and acrylics.

From 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. there will be a Collectors Reception that includes a silent auction of the freshly painted and framed plein air artworks. The public is invite to meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, music and trivia games.  All paintings will be displayed and available to purchase.

“When you purchase one of the plein air paintings, you will take home an authentic historic memory.” states Debby Coles-Dobay, Art Moves You founder and Plein Air Festival organizer. By hosting this event, The Deerfield Beach Historical Society is truly documenting history as it blossoms into the cultural hub of Deerfield Beach.”

Participating artists: Pam Ayres, Gretchen Cocuzza, Susan McKenna List, Andres Lopez, Mary Lynch, Ralph Papa, Maris Rosalie, Lester Salazar, Carl Stoveland and Nancy Tilles.

Leading up to the Saturday, March 28 event the following workshops and lecture will be available for anyone to register on the www.Deerfield-History.org  website.

• Nancy Tillis – Sat., March 14, 10am – 4 p.m. workshop with special instruction and use of plein air easel for first time plein air painters!
• Carl Stoveland – Wed., March 18, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. watercolor plein air workshop!
• Ralph Papa – Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.- Free “Plein Air Journey” lecture

For more information and to interview the artists, contact event organizer, Debby Coles-Dobay at debby_cmi@mac.com or call 561-632-7992.