Thirteen short films will hit the screen at The Link in Nocatee on Sunday, Oct. 4, when JaxFuse opens its third annual creative-economy festival with Film Day.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for networking, food and beverages at the venue, located at 425 Town Plaza Ave. in Nocatee Town Center. The evening runs through screenings, a panel discussion and an awards ceremony, according to the Ponte Vedra Recorder.

Monique Madrid, creator of the LOL JAX Film Festival, delivers the keynote at 5:30 p.m. Four workshops follow: A.I. & Micro Dramas with creative strategist Tery Spataro, Post-Production Fundamentals with filmmaker Carlos Smith II, Social Justice and Film Making with award-winner Dana Michelle Maule, and Creative Expression in Youth with Ivana Barnes.

Screenings begin at 7 p.m. in four blocks. As of the Recorder's Sept. 24 report, 13 films had been submitted, and more submissions were still being accepted. Genres include comedy, noir, action, drama and musical. Ben Stone alone entered two films.

Filmmaker Adam Madrid will moderate a panel discussion during a break in the screenings. Topics include the future of independent filmmaking, technology and AI in storytelling, Jacksonville's growing film scene and building sustainable creative careers.

Three winners will receive a "Night @ The Link" prize during an awards ceremony at the end of the evening. A closing reception follows.

Film submissions remain free and open to independent filmmakers, students and anyone with a short film rated PG-13 or under. Interested filmmakers can email [email protected].

The Link co-founder Raghu Misra said in a Sept. 17 Ponte Vedra Recorder preview that the festival was built to collaborate on and grow the creative economy. The first two years sold out, drawing more than 300 guests each time.

Film Day is the first of three JaxFuse weekends. Fashion Day follows Saturday, Oct. 10, and Food, Art and Music closes the festival Saturday, Oct. 17. All events take place at The Link. Tickets are available at jaxfuse.com, app.thelink.zone and Eventbrite.