Jonathan WintersFriday, October 12-------The 22nd annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, known as the "longest film event in the world", will launch its month-long marathon of film screenings, receptions and special events on October 15th, with the premiere of a comic documentary on legendary funny man Jonathan Winters.

CERTIFIABLY JONATHAN is a “dadamentary” directed by James Pasternak, that weaves in and out of the bi-polar world of Jonathan Winters, the film and television comic known for his manic humor and dim deadban. In this intriguing film hybrid, reality and fantasy collide. Winters, the 80-year old comic genius, is also a gifted painter. He dreams of having his paintings hang in the Museum of Modern Art but becomes discouraged.. A famous critic who believes Jonathan is the missing link between Miro and Dali and convinces the Museum of Modern Art to give Jonathan a show—but only if Jonathan paints three new paintings.

The film features an all-star comedy cast of characters, including fellow comics Robin Williams, Rob Reiner, Howie Mandel, Tim Conway, Bonnie Hunt, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, David Arquette, Alexis Arquette, Robert Klein and Nora Dunn. It will be screened at the Festival's year-round cinematheque, Cinema Paradiso, preceded by the Festival Kick Off Party.

Jonathan Winters has appeared in more than 30 feature films and in countless guest spots on television series and variety shows. Among his best known film work: IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD (1963), THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING (1966), MOON OVER PARADOR (1988) and THE FLINTSTONES (1994). He has won a host of comedy awards, including several Lifetime Achievement honors.

The film is a terrific kick-off to the Festival, which will showcase more than 150 films at venues around South Florida. For more information on the film, log on to the film website: http://www.certifiablyjonathan.com. For more information on the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, visit the official website: www.fliff.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Circuit Editor