1974 Central Florida Film Festival

The 1974 Central Florida Film Festival was the first of its kind, presented in January 1974. Sponsored by PESO, the festival honored actress Gloria Swanson, presenting six of her most popular films over five days.

Central Florida’s First Film Festival

Reports of the 1974 Central Florida Film Festival seem very limited, with information suggesting that it was organized by Avie Abramowitz and Gloria Swanson herself when the two had met previously. Avie Abramowitz was the president of PESO (Participation Enriches Science, Music and Art Organizations).

The Film Festival opened on Tuesday, January 15, 1974 at the Edyth Bush Theatre with a dinner buffet. Along with the dinner, a montage of Gloria Swanson’s films prepared by James Card, then director of the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, New York was shown. Securing a plate at the dinner cost $50. Nearly 200 people were in attendance.

Clipping from the January 16, 1974 edition of the Sentinel Star

Gloria Swanson did not enjoy a dinner with the guests, being a long time vegetarian, which made some guests less than happy. She did, however, appear to narrate the montage of her own films after having been presented with a bouquet of red carnations.

On January 16, the film festival repeated the montage presented the night before at an 8 P.M. champagne reception, seen as the “official opening performance”, according to the playbill presented to guests in attendance.

The films shown at the festival over the course of three days were varied, but highlighted performances throughout Gloria Swanson’s career.

Clipping from the Film Festival’s Playbill. See Full Size.
See Full Playbill Here.

According to reports, more than 1000 people were in attendance at the festival over the five days and between $10,000 and $15,000 was earned in ticket sales alone.