FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: 2019 Naples International Film Festival opens with a PRINCESS, closes with RAIDERS, and salutes Joey Pants
Artis—Naples announced the complete program lineup for the 11th Annual Naples International Film Festival (October 24-27). As the popular film festival launches into its second decade, NIFF will open with Van Maximilian Carlson’s festival favorite, PRINCESS OF THE ROW, and close with a special presentation of Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark featuring a live performance of John Williams’ classic score by the Naples Philharmonic, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly. Beloved character actor Joe Pantoliano will be honored with the 2019 Naples International Film Festival Artis—Naples Award.
Recently named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World 2019, NIFF will present 54 films (16 narrative features, nine documentary features, 29 short films) representing 20 countries. The premiere list includes one world premiere, three films making their North American premieres, four East Coast premieres, and 28 Florida premieres. In addition to the films, more than 24 filmmakers are scheduled to attend post-screening Q&A conversations and panel discussions during the festival.
Filmmakers will be vying for $25,000 in cash prizes, $7,500 each for the two juried competitions (Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature), $2,000 each for the Audience Award winners in the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature categories and $1,000 for the Audience Award winner in the Best Short Film category. New this year, the Focus on the Arts Award, with a $5,000 cash prize, will be presented to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual and performing arts.
Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen said, “We are proud to have made a significant investment in celebrating the art of film and are thrilled with the growth of the film festival over the past three years. The development of the Naples International Film Festival reflects the commitment to quality and variety that is at the heart of the Artis—Naples mission.”
Naples International Film Festival Producer Shannon Franklin said, “We simply have a wonderful lineup of films this year. From tearjerkers and thoughtful dramas, to sincerely funny and delightful comedies, as well as documentaries that are sure to keep you off guard, our audiences will be riding a roller coaster of emotions over the four days of NIFF. And what could be cooler than that?”
Previously announced as the Opening Night selection, Carlson’s PRINCESS OF THE ROW has won a number of awards on the film festival circuit. The film will make its Florida premiere when it screens on Thursday, October 25 in Hayes Hall (5833 Pelican Bay Blvd.). PRINCESS OF THE ROW tells the story of a runaway foster child determined to live and thrive with her father, a homeless veteran struggling with mental illness and living on the streets of Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Produced by Shawn Austin and Edi Gathegi, and written by Shawn Austin and Van Maximilian Carlson, the film stars Martin Sheen, Edi Gathegi, Tayler Buck, Ana Ortiz and Jacob Vargas. Austin, Gathegi, and Buck are scheduled to attend and participate in a post-screening Q&A.
Hayes Hall will also be the location for the special presentation of Spielberg’s RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK on Sunday, October 27. The Naples Philharmonic, led by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, will perform John Williams’ classic score with the film.
Tickets for the Opening Night Film and Party and the Closing Night Awards Ceremony, Film and Wrap Party are on sale now. Voucher passes (four films for $55) can be purchased through Artis—Naples or Silverspot Cinema. Tickets for individual films can be purchased at Silverspot Cinema. For more information, visit artisnaples.org/niff.
The recipient of this year’s Artis—Naples Award, that is presented to a filmmaker, actor or artist who exemplifies the multidisciplinary approach to the arts, will be the incomparable Joe Pantoliano. NIFF will screen one of his latest films, Sean Cisterna’s FROM THE VINE, in which he plays a CEO, who retreats to his family’s hometown in Italy in an effort to deal with a moral dilemma, and discovers an Italian vineyard on its last legs – which just may be the answer to getting him back on track.
The winner of an Emmy in 1999 for his work on The Sopranos, Pantoliano made his initial breakthrough in Taylor Hackford’s THE IDOLMAKER (1980). However, he first received widespread notice his role as Guido, the killer pimp, in Paul Brickman’s RISKY BUSINESS (1982). Numerous films and television roles followed, including Richard Donner’s THE GOONIES (1985), Luiz Valdez’s LA BAMBA (1987), Steven Spielberg’s EMPIRE OF THE SUN (1987), Martin Brest’s MIDNIGHT RUN (1988), Andrew Davis’ THE FUGITIVE (1993), Michael Bay’s BAD BOYS (1995), The Wachowski Brothers’ BOUND (1996). Pantoliano’s place in cinema would then forever be cemented by his roles in two modern day classics; The Wachowski Brothers’ MATRIX (1999), and Christopher Nolan’s MEMENTO (2000). His performance on The Sopranos (2001-2004) was another high point in a career filled with them, yielding multiple Emmy nominations and a win. The prolific Pantoliano currently has five more films in various stages of post-production.
The Naples International Film Festival’s Narrative competition sections include; Leon Chambers’ ABOVE THE CLOUDS, an Audience Award winner at the Austin Film Festival about a headstrong teenage girl’s car trip to Scotland, with a dubious driver’s license in order to find her “real” father; Amber McGinnis’ INTERNATIONAL FALLS, about a woman stuck in a small, snowbound border town with a dream of being a comedian who meets a burned-out touring comic who would rather do anything else; R. J. Daniel Hanna’s MISS VIRGINIA, follows the journey of a single mother who reacts to her son’s struggles on the rough streets of Washington D.C. by launching a movement to change the education system; and Hilary Brougher’s SOUTH MOUNTAIN, stars Talia Balsam as a woman dealing with the personal crisis of her future turned on its head when her husband tells her he is leaving her, just as her kids also leave for the summer.
NIFF’s Documentary Competition includes; Jenifer McShane’s ERNIE AND JOE: CRISIS COPS, whichfollows two Texas police officers with the San Antonio Police Department who are diverting people away from jail and into mental health treatment, one 911 call at a time; Peter Michael Dowd’s MR. JIMMY, which looks at the moment where a lifelong dream meets reality when a Japanese kimono salesman and die-hard Led Zeppelin fan comes face-to-face with his rock star hero, Jimmy Page; Jennifer Trainer’s MUSEUM TOWN, which looks at the origins of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art; and Bill Gallagher’s RUNNER, which follows Guor Mading Maker, a long distance runner, who, against difficult odds, ran for South Sudan in the 2012 Olympics.
Additional highlights among the narrative selections include; Emily Ting’s GO BACK TO CHINA, based on the filmmaker’s experiences working in her family’s toy factory; and Wayne Blair’s Australian romantic comedy TOP END WEDDING. The Sundance hit follows the adventure a soon-to-be-married couple have as they seek to locate her mother, who has gone AWOL somewhere in Australia’s Northern Territory. Among the documentaries, Cindy Meehl’s THE DOG DOC, follows a veterinarian and his dedicated team of doctors who are the last hope for many pets; and Ivete Lucas, and Patrick Bresnan’s PAHOKEE, which follows a school year in a small Florida town where four teens face highs and lows during their senior year.
“We celebrate that film is a truly multidisciplinary art form, and the films, panel discussions, live performances and education programs associated with the festival provide our community with a unique opportunity to experience the art of film,” said Artis—Naples Executive Vice President, Artistic Operations David Filner.
The 2019 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) official selections:
OPENING NIGHT SELECTION
THE PRINCESS OF THE ROW
Director: Van Maxmillian Carlson
Country: USA, Running Time: 85 min
The inspiring tale of a runaway foster child who will stop at nothing to live with the only family she knows: her homeless, mentally-ill veteran father who lives on the streets of L.A.’s skid row.
CLOSING NIGHT SELECTION
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Country: USA, Running Time: 115 min
In 1936, archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find he Ark of the Covenant before Adolf Hitler’s Nazi’s can obtain it’s awesome powers.
NARRATIVE COMPETITION
ABOVE THE CLOUDS Florida Premiere
Director: Leon Chambers
Country: UK, Running Time: 87 min
An offbeat coming-of-age story of one girl’s quest to find her “real” father.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 8:20 PM – Theater 10
Sunday, October 27 – 1:45 PM – Theater 10
INTERNATIONAL FALLS Florida Premiere
Director: Amber McGinnis
Country: USA, Running Time: 96 min
A woman stuck in a small, snowbound border town harbors dreams of doing comedy when she meets a burned-out comedian with dreams of doing anything else.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 1:30 PM – Theater 10
Saturday, October 26 – 3:40 PM – Theater 10
MISS VIRGINIA
Director: R. J. Daniel Hanna
Country: USA, Running Time: 106 min
A struggling single mother launches a movement to change the education system after nearly losing her son to the rough streets of Washington, D.C.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 8:30 PM – Theater 10
Saturday, October 26 – 1:10 PM – Theater 10
SOUTH MOUNTAIN Florida Premiere
Director: Hilary Brougher
Country: USA, Running Time: 85 min
Lila is left to her own devices when her kids leave for the summer and her husband leaves for good.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 6:00 PM – Theater 10
Sunday, October 27 – 11:15 AM – Theater 10
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS Florida Premiere
Director: Jenifer McShane
Country: USA, Running Time: 95 min
ERNIE AND JOE: CRISIS COPSfollows two Texas police officers with the San Antonio Police Department who are diverting people away from jail and into mental health treatment, one 911 call at a time.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 3:45 PM – Theater 8
Sunday, October 27 – 11:05 AM – Theater 8
MR. JIMMY Florida Premiere
Director: Peter Michael Dowd
Country: USA, Running Time: 112 min
A lifelong dream meets reality when a Japanese kimono salesman and die-hard Led Zeppelin fan comes face-to-face with his rock star hero, Jimmy Page. In Japanese and English with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 7:45 PM – Theater 8
Saturday, October 26 – 6:05 PM – Theater 8
MUSEUM TOWN
Director: Jennifer Trainer
Country: USA, Running Time: 75 min
From the ashes of a deserted factory, a unique museum has emerged. With MASS MoCA, a deindustrialized town in rural America finds an unconventional route to recovery.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 5:00 PM – Theater 9
Sunday, October 27 – 2:00 PM – Theater 9
RUNNER Florida Premiere
Director: Bill Gallagher
Country: USA, Running Time: 88 min
One man’s journey from refugee to Olympian.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 5:30 PM – Theater 9
Sunday, October 27 – 11:30 AM – Theater 9
ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES
ALICE Florida Premiere
Director: Josephine Mackerras
Countries: Australia/France, 2019, Running Time: 105 min
After her husband’s addiction to escorts has left their family penniless, Alice resorts to the world of high-end prostitution as a means of caring for herself and her child. In French with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 5:45 PM – Theater 11
Saturday, October 26 – 1:45 PM – Theater 11
DAFFODILS North American Premiere
Director: David Stubbs
Country: New Zealand, Running Time: 93 min
A bittersweet love story told with beautifully reimagined iconic New Zealand songs.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 1:45 PM – Theater 11
Sunday, October 27 – 4:55 PM – Theater 11
DOLCE FINE GIORNATA Florida Premiere
Director: Jacek Borcuch
Country: Poland, Running Time: 96 min
As Nobel Prize winner Maria’s stable family life begins to collapse, her relationship with a young immigrant develops against a backdrop of terrorism and eroding democracy. In Italian, Polish and French with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 4:00 PM – Theater 10
Sunday, October 27 – 6:30 PM – Theater 10
FROM THE VINE Florida Premiere
Director: Sean Cisterna
Country: Canada, Running Time: 94 min
In the midst of an ethical crisis, a downtrodden CEO returns to his hometown in rural Italy to recalibrate his moral compass. In English and Italian with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 8:15 PM – Theater 11
Sunday, October 27 – 11:00 AM – Theater 11
GO BACK TO CHINA
Director: Emily Ting
Countries: USA/China, Running Time: 96 min
When a spoiled rich girl blows through half of her trust fund, she is forced by her father to go back to China and work for the family toy business. In English and Chinese with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 5:15 PM – Theater 8
Saturday, October 26 – 8:45 PM – Theater 8
THE KEEPER
Director: Marcus H. Rosenmüller
Country: UK, Running Time: 119 min
An extraordinary tale of love, forgiveness and overcoming all odds, THE KEEPER tells the incredible true story of footballing legend Bert Trautmann. In German and English with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 11:00 AM – Theater 10
Sunday, October 27 – 4:00 PM – Theater 10
THE KILL TEAM
Director: Dan Krauss
Country: USA, Running Time: 87 min
When a young soldier witnesses his platoon killing innocent civilians at the direction of their leader, he considers reporting it… but what if it makes him the next target?
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 9:00 PM – Theater 9
Sunday, October 27 – 6:00 PM – Theater 9
METAL HEART Florida Premiere
Director: by Hugh O’Conor
Country: Ireland, Running Time: 90 min
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 12:30 PM – Theater 9
Saturday, October 26 – 3:15 PM – Theater 9
STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN Florida Premiere
Director: Matt Ratner
Country: USA, Running Time: 91 min
A struggling stand-up comedian at a crossroads in his life returns to his hometown and finds an unlikely kindred spirit in his outgoing dermatologist.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 8:00 PM – Theater 11
Saturday, October 26 – 11:30 AM – Theater 11
TOP END WEDDING
Director: Wayne Blair
Country: Australia, Running Time: 103 min
Soon-to-be-married Lauren and Ned have only 10 days to find Lauren’s mother, who has gone AWOL somewhere in Australia’s Northern Territory.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 11:30 AM – Theater 11
Saturday, October 26 – 4:00 PM – Theater 11
VAN GOGHS East Coast Premiere
Director: Sergey Livnev
Country: Russia, Running Time: 102 min
A struggling artist returns to his homeland to visit his grieving father, forcing them both to come to terms with their life choices and their love for one another. In Russian with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 2:45 PM – Theater 9
Saturday, October 26 – 7:45 PM – Theater 9
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
THE DOG DOC Florida Premiere
Director: Cindy Meehl
Country: USA, Running Time: 101 min
A maverick veterinarian and his dedicated team of doctors create a destination for pets and their owners looking for hope and a last chance for healing.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 6:00 PM – Theater 10
Saturday, October 26 – 10:45 AM – Theater 10
FOR SAMA Florida Premiere
Directors: Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
Countries: Syria/UK, Running Time: 96 min
An intimate and epic journey into the female experience of war. In Arabic with English subtitles.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 10:45 AM – Theater 8
Sunday, October 27 – 4:15 PM – Theater 8
THE HEART DANCES U.S. Premiere
Director: Rebecca Tansley
Country: New Zealand, Running Time: 98 min
An iconic film is reimagined by celebrated Czech dancers for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, setting the stage for a voyage into uncharted territory for everyone involved.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 12:50 PM – Theater 8
Saturday, October 26 – 1:15 PM – Theater 8
PAHOKEE
Directors: Ivete Lucas, Patrick Bresnan
Country: USA, Running Time: 112 min
In a small agricultural town in the Florida Everglades, hopes for the future rest upon the youth. Four teens face heartbreak and celebrate in the rituals of an extraordinary senior year.
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 10:30 AM – Theater 8
Sunday, October 27 – 1:35 PM – Theater 8
SHOW ME THE PICTURE: THE STORY OF JIM MARSHALL Florida Premiere
Director: Alfred George Bailey
Countries: UK/USA, Running Time: 92 min
With camera in hand, Jim Marshall captured some of the most iconic moments of the 1960s—from the heights of rock ‘n’ roll to the civil rights movement.
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 3:15 PM – Theater 8
Sunday, October 27 – 6:20 PM – Theater 8
Shorts Programs
Shorts Program #1: Twists and Turns
(TRT: 81 min)
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 3:45 PM – Theater 11
Sunday, October 27 – 6:55 PM – Theater 11
40 MINUTES OVER MAUI
Directors: Michael Feld, Josh Covitt
Country: USA, Running Time: 14 min
A SISTER (Une Soeur)
Director: Delphine Gerard
Country: Belgium, Running Time: 16 min
BETWEEN THE SHADOWS
Directors: Mónica Santos, Alice Guimarães
Countries: Portugal/France, Running Time: 13:25 min
MEN OF VISION
Director: Frank Todaro
Country: USA, Running Time: 19:19 min
NEFTA FOOTBALL CLUB
Director: Yves Piat
Country: France, Running Time: 17 min
Shorts Program #2: Things We Do for Love
(TRT: 86 min)
SCREENING TIMES:
Friday, October 25 – 10:30 AM – Theater 9
Sunday, October 27 – 4:05 PM – Theater 9
A COMPLETE WOMAN North American Premiere
Director: Ceres Machado
Country: Spain, Running Time: 11 min
MILKSHAKE
Director: Brittany Snow
Country: USA, Running Time: 15:33 min
MIND MY MIND
Director: Floor Adams
Country: Netherlands, Running Time: 30 min
POP 30 East Coast Premiere
Director: Shira Billig
Country: Israel, Running Time: 18 min
STORM
Director: Will Kindrick
Country: USA, Running Time: 11:01 min
Shorts Program #3: New Perspectives
(TRT: 83 min)
SCREENING TIMES:
Saturday, October 26 – 6:15 PM – Theater 11
Sunday, October 27 – 3:00 PM – Theater 11
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT (Cadoul de Craciun)
Director: Bogdan Muresanu
Countries: Romania/Spain, Running Time: 23 min
HOUSEKEEPING East Coast Premiere
Director: Andrew Margetson
Country: UK, Running Time: 18 min
HORS PISTE
Directors: Léo Brunel, Loris Cavalier, Camille Jalabart, Oscar Malet
Country: France, Running Time: 6:01 min
THE NEIGHBORS’ WINDOW
Director: Marshall Curry
Country: USA, Running Time: 20 min
ROUGHHOUSE
Director: Jonathan Hodgson
Countries: UK/France, Running Time: 16 min
Shorts Program #4: A World Imagined
(TRT: 82 min)
SCREENING TIME:
Friday, October 25 – 7:00 PM – Theater 9
Saturday, October 26 – 11:00 AM – Theater 9
BALLOON
Director: Jeremy Merrifield
Country: USA, Running Time: 16 min
BETTER THAN NEIL ARMSTRONG North American Premiere
Director: Alireza Ghasemi
Country: Iran, Running Time: 20 min
IRIS
Director: Ricardo Herrera
Country: USA, Running Time: 11 min
METRONOME (IN TIME)
Director: Scott Lochmus
Country: USA, Running Time: 13 min
SISTER
Director: Siqui Song
Countries: China/USA , Running Time: 8 min
THIS TIME AWAY
Director: Magali Barbé
Country: UK, Running Time: 13 min
Shorts Program #5: Student Filmmaker Showcase
(TRT: 71 min)
SCREENING TIME:
Saturday, October 26 – 1:00 PM – Theater 9
A SIDEWALK BECOMES A STREET
Director: Chris Lee
Country: USA, Running Time:
THE FLEETING NATURE OF A RAINBOW World Premiere
Director: Isabella Korunda
Country: USA, Running Time: 8 min
HEARSE HANGOVER
Director: Josh Ceranic
Country: USA, Running Time: 5:55 min
THE MOTIONS
Director: Frank Donnangelo
Country: USA, Running Time: 16 min
THE QUEST
Director: Sage Croft
Country: USA, Running Time: 4 min
RECOILED East Coast Premiere
Director: Claire Grim
Country: USA, Running Time: 8:01 min
SERPENDIPITY
Director: Kevin Barwick
Country: USA, Running Time: 7:12 min
TIFFANY
Director: Christina Christie
Country: USA, Running Time: 6:15 min
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
TALES FROM THE SET
Friday, October 25, 2019 – 10am – Theater 11
Andrew Aiello, Director of Photography (INTERNATIONAL FALLS)
Larry Gross – Screenwriter (48 HRS, WE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE)
Matt Ratner, Director (STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN)
Rebecca Tansley, Director (THE HEART DANCES)
SETTING THE MOOD: THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN FILM
Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 10am – Theater 11
Timo Chen, Composer (GO BACK TO CHINA)
Jack Everly, Naples Philharmonic principal pops conductor
R. J. Daniel Hanna, Director (MISS VIRGINIA)
Peter Michael Dowd, Director, and Akio “Jimmy” Sakurai, Subject (MR. JIMMY)
