Fort Lauderdale Film Festival Hosts Opening Night with 'Miami Nights' Preview

New thriller set in South Florida premieres at 40th annual festival

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival kicked off its 40th edition with a star-studded opening night that included the worldwide premiere of the new thriller 'Miami Nights'. The film features an ensemble cast including Terrence Howard, Jeremy Piven, and Jeremy Sumpter, and is set in the Magic City itself.

Why it matters

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country, drawing cinephiles and celebrities alike to South Florida each year. The premiere of 'Miami Nights' highlights the festival's ability to attract high-profile projects that showcase the region's diverse landscapes and culture.

The details

The opening night gala featured a red carpet with appearances by the 'Miami Nights' cast, including Sumpter, who plays a former soldier struggling to reintegrate into society, and Garcia, who portrays the assistant to Terrence Howard's journalist character. The film, a thriller centered around a diamond heist, is set to hit theaters later this year.

  • The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival ran from February 20-28, 2026.
  • The opening night gala and 'Miami Nights' premiere took place on February 24, 2026.

The players

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

One of the longest-running film festivals in the United States, celebrating its 40th edition in 2026.

Jeremy Sumpter

Actor who stars in the new thriller 'Miami Nights' as a former soldier struggling to reintegrate into society.

Danay Garcia

Actress who plays the assistant to Terrence Howard's journalist character in 'Miami Nights'.

Terrence Howard

Veteran actor who stars in the thriller 'Miami Nights' as a journalist.

Jeremy Piven

Actor who appears in the ensemble cast of the new film 'Miami Nights'.

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What they’re saying

“So my character is Mason Lane. He gets discharged from the military and he's struggling to fit into society. I come straight to my captain, who is [Sydelle Noel] and she gives me this job with her working for this freight truck company to deliver a diamond. I come up with this idea that I steal this diamond.”

— Jeremy Sumpter, Actor

“Terrence Howard's character's name is Wolf. He's a journalist. I play his like, grand hand person. So basically, he's going through some post-traumatic stress disorder, and I'm the one who kind of protects him from the world.”

— Danay Garcia, Actress

What’s next

The new thriller 'Miami Nights' is set to hit theaters later this year after its worldwide premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

The takeaway

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival's ability to attract high-profile film projects that showcase the unique culture and landscapes of South Florida underscores the region's growing prominence as a destination for the entertainment industry.