The 17th annual Swede Fest, which celebrates short, amateur and low-budget recreations of Hollywood films, is approaching.
This year's festival takes place on December 10th at the historic Tower Theatre at 815 E. Olive Ave (and N. Wishon Ave.).
"Swede Fest gives everyone who participates the unforgettable experience of seeing themselves on the big screen at the Tower Theatre," organizers write.
The festival was first launched in 2008 by two local filmmakers, Bryan Harley and Roque Rodriguez, and it has quickly grown in popularity, including festivals in Palm Beach and Tampa Bay.
In 2015, one homegrown creation from Harley and Rodriguez, the sweded version of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, brought national attention to the festival.
Previously, in 2013, a sweded version of the Pacific Rim trailer also brought the duo to the attention of the studio behind the film, Legendary Pictures, who then brought them on as part of the marketing campaign for the film's home release, the Collegian reported.
The concept for the film festival comes from the 2008 film Be Kind, Rewind, in which Jack Black and Mos Def play two video store employees who accidentally erase all of the videos in the shop.
They then recreate all of the films with a home video camera, and tell customers that their amateur versions are from Sweden, giving rise to the term "sweded."
Supported by community organizations, including the Tower Theatre and local realtor Fresyes, the festival emphasizes a low barrier to filmmaking to encourage filmmakers of all ages and levels of experience to get creative.
Films are four minutes or less, and geared for viewers of all ages.
Swede Fest 17 takes place on Sunday, December 10th at the Tower Theatre (815 E. Olive Ave). Doors open at 5pm, films start at 5:30pm.
