Melissa Donovan
The Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) will return to Orlando and Winter Park from September 16–21, 2025, bringing a week of films, panels, workshops, live performances, and global dialogue events. Now in its 23rd year, the festival continues its mission of showcasing stories that inspire cultural understanding, unity, and community-driven change.
Opening Night and Screenings
The festival kicks off September 16 at Enzian Theater with the feature film Lilly, starring Patricia Clarkson, John Benjamin Hickey, and Thomas Sadoski. Screenings throughout the week will also take place at Bush Auditorium at Rollins College and the Winter Park Library.
Adding to the lineup, two-time Academy Award–winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple will present two of her acclaimed works: her recent documentary Gumbo Coalition and her first Oscar-winning film Harlan County, USA. Several filmmakers will also be on hand to participate in post-screening Q&A sessions.
Tickets for opening night are $25, while general admission screenings are $10. Festival passes providing access to the full program are available online.
A Platform for Storytelling and Dialogue
Since its founding in 2003, the Global Peace Film Festival has used film as a catalyst to encourage open dialogue around conflict resolution, social justice, and cultural diversity. The festival frames “peace” not simply as the absence of conflict but as an ongoing process of building understanding and resolving differences. Each year, its carefully curated program brings together filmmakers, artists, and community leaders to share perspectives and spark conversations that extend beyond the screen.
UrbanFest 360º Debuts
This year’s festival also introduces UrbanFest 360º, a new multicultural film and culture festival launching September 20–21 at AfroTV Studios on International Drive in Orlando. The two-day event will feature more than 50 independent films, live music, curated panel discussions, food vendors, and community showcases.
UrbanFest 360º was created as a vibrant celebration of Black and Brown creatives, local talent, and international voices. Blending film, music, and food, the event aims to highlight diverse storytelling while giving audiences an immersive cultural experience.
Organizers describe UrbanFest 360º as a signature program of Global Peace 360°, the nonprofit behind the Global Peace Film Festival. The organization takes a broad approach to peacebuilding, engaging communities, businesses, and institutions to collaborate on social, cultural, and economic issues. By creating platforms like the film festival and UrbanFest 360º, Global Peace 360° supports projects that encourage dialogue and strengthen unity.
A Community-Driven Effort
The Global Peace Film Festival and UrbanFest 360º are made possible through partnerships with individuals, foundations, businesses, and government entities. With its 360° approach—bringing together different perspectives and sectors—the festival continues to grow as both an artistic celebration and a community resource.
More information about tickets, programming, and schedules can be found at peacefilmfest.org. Additional details on year-round peacebuilding initiatives are available at globalpeace360.org.
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