Soon it will be time to head back to the beach . . . at this year's 16th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. But first it's time to reflect on last year's stellar roster of films. So here is a look back.

"It's getting bigger and bigger, this festival and its getting a lot of attention, "says European film star, John Lynch, about what attracted him to this year's 15th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in 2000. The "big" extravaganza in sunny Florida attracted 54,000 film enthusiasts from October 16-November 12th. And is now, according to The Guinness Book of World Records, the longest film festival in the world. One could ponder is bigger better?

In the case of Fort Lauderdale and its glittering showcase of more than 100 films screened over the course of 28 days -- vastness proved to be merely a backdrop to what really captivated. And that was the quality of the films.

Diverse, engaging, and entertaining -- the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival managed to create an intimate environment for filmmakers and filmgoers alike as 14 films representing 13 countries competed for Best Film. Among other awards given were Best Actor/Actress, Best Foreign Language picture, and Best Director. Ample recognition was given to shorts, documentaries, and animated features.

Best Actor was a tie between John Lynch for Best and Dirk Roofthooft for Don't Cry Germaine. Best Actress went to Hege Schoyen for The Prompter. Best Supporting Male was William H. Macy for David Mamet's, State & Main. Best World Premiere was awarded to Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes. Spirit of Independent's Award went to The Testimony of Taliesin Jones. The Audience Award went to A Time for Drunken Horses. And Best Film was awarded to State & Main.

Not short on diversity, the eclectic mix included films like suspense thriller, Four Dogs Playing Poker directed by Slamdance Film Festival co-founder Paul Rachman and the witty adult comedy, How To Kill Your Neighbors Dog produced by Robert Redford. Now, throw into the mix a documentary like Alois Brunner: The Last Nazi and what you have is all part of a richly textured and well-balanced roster of films.

David Bowie was enigmatic in Mr. Rice's Secret, Kate Hudson held her own in Gerard Stembridge's About Adam, while Shadow of the Vampire brought together Hollywood luminaries John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe in the first film produced by Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage.

Esteemed filmmaker Chuck Workman presented his feature House on the Hill. It gave aficionados of his work a chance to see one of their masters in his element. So, what attracted Workman to Ft. Lauderdale? "This is one of the better festivals. It's very well organized. Gregory von Hausch who runs it does a very good job. It's got good funding, a solid community base, and the audiences are strong," says Workman.

And that was pretty much the consensus all round - that Ft. Lauderdale runs a first class festival. Its first priority is showcasing the films themselves.

Interwoven with screenings were tributes and evenings of special recognition. The perpetually disheveled Peter Falk was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Howard Keel was given a Lifetime Achievement in Musical Cinema. George Sidney was the recipient of the Robert Wise Director of Distinction Award. And Rob Morrow, best know for his leading role in TV's Northern Exposure and 1994's Quiz Show, was given the Spirit of The Independent's Director Award for his independent feature directorial debut Maze.

Morrow's film is an uncommon love story about a man with Tourette syndrome who falls in love with his best friend's girl, played by the incomparable Laura Linney. When I asked Morrow how he made the transition from actor to director, he replied, "I didn't realize that I was doing it at the time, but I was learning how to tell a story in pictures and to frame a world," he said about his previous experience as a photographer.

Also recognized was Demented film director, John Waters whose presentation, John Waters Live! My Wacky Life in Movies! preceded the opening night film. For better or for worse -- it was a no-holds-barred event as Waters enlivened, grossed-out, and shocked patrons in the standing room only crowd. Waters recounted his early days in Baltimore, and offered personal anecdotes from Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, and Cecil B. Demented.

Remarks from the "King of Bad Taste" was a tough act to follow. The task went to Il Cielo Cade, teaming Isabella Rossellini with Jeroen Krabbe in a tragic tale about life, love, and loss. Cinematically beautiful, its greatest triumph lies in the honest, dignified, and simple performances given by Rossellini and Krabbe.

Other vehicles showcased outstanding performances by Jonathon Pryce, Robert Forster, Swoosie Kurtz, John Lynch, Kenneth Branagh, and Robin Wright Penn.

In The Testimony of Taliesin Jones Jonathon Pryce delivers a quietly understated and artful performance. The film centers on a farmer's son grappling with his relationship with God, and introduces newcomer John Paul Mcleod to big screen audiences. Mcleod's delicate and moving portrayal as young Taliesin is sure to get Hollywood agents looking for more of the talented Welsh actor.

Other performances were equally memorable. Robert Forster hits the mark in Diamond Men, a little gem of a picture that has him playing a down and out traveling, diamond salesman in rural Pennsylvania. Forster connected with his character. His father was a salesman. "I understood this guy and immediately knew that I could deliver," says Forster who took a chance in working with first time feature director, Daniel Cohen. It's a risk that pays off.

For stage, TV, and film veteran, Swoosie Kurtz, Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes also pays off. This one literally ends with a bang. Kurtz shines in one of her juiciest roles as she portrays Binny Redwine a bespectacled, goody-two-shoes, faithful secretary who by film's end is transformed into a pistol shooting femme fatale. "I thought the character of Binny was one of the best written roles that I'd seen in ages," says Kurtz.

Another standout performance belongs to John Lynch in Best. His portrayal of world-famous footballer George Best deservedly drew accolades from appreciative audiences for his characterization of the womanizing, boozing, and desperately lonely former sports legend. The film's stark realism can be attributed to Mary McGuckian, Lynch's wife and the film's more than capable director. Fast paced, and daringly intimate McGuckian artistically combines old footage of George Best with Lynch's performance on the playing field. "Ultimately, Mary decided there was no one who could play like George. There are grown men who still weep at the memory of his brilliance," says Lynch.

And speaking of Brilliant, Kenneth Branagh is just that in How To Kill Your Neighbors Dog, a deliciously clever adult comic drama written and directed by Michael Kalesniko. In this very L.A., very American film, Branagh plays Peter McGowan, a beleaguered playwright who wrestles with a string of flops and personal tribulations. Robin Wright Penn plays straight man to Branagh's clever quips - something she does quite well. Hollywood could stand to take a cue from screenwriter/director Michael Kalesniko whose faith in the intelligence of American audiences is a welcome gift.

And perhaps that is what best sums up the success of this year's Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. For executive director Gregory von Hausch has put together a tightly crafted, thought provoking, and masterfully intelligent grouping of films for this, its 15th season. And that was the "biggest" gift of all.

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