Naples International Film Festival announces Call for Entries for 2021 fest

Call for entries is now open for the 2021 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), which will take place October 21-24. The 13th iteration of the popular regional film festival, a MovieMaker Magazine “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” selection in 2019, will likely follow last year’s hybrid in-person and virtual presentations format, with plans for an updated approach which will once again feature independent and international films with a spotlight on diversity. While details regarding the specific formats of those presentations have not been determined, they will be underlined with the signature NIFF “fun-under-the-sun” style that has made the festival a destination for filmmakers, industry vets, influencers and film fans, whether in-person or virtually. The deadline for early-bird submissions is June 11, and the final deadline is July 23, 2021.

Opening Night screening of THE DONUT KING under the stars.

NIFF film fans safely enjoying the screening.

In addition to a robust virtual festival, NIFF was one of the few film festivals last year that was able to offer limited in-person screenings thanks to the Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus, which allowed for the open-air, under-the-stars presentation of films for a live audience in Norris Garden on a 24-foot outdoor screen. For the 2021 festival, NIFF will once again combine the pragmatic spirit of independent film with the artistic eye and resources of an acclaimed multidisciplinary arts organization.

“In 2020, NIFF faced the same challenges that all film festivals faced,” said Festival Producer Shannon Franklin. “However, we enjoy the great benefit of being a part of Artis—Naples. NIFF is unique in that we not only champion independent film and artists, we emphasize their placement next to – and as part of –the visual and performing arts that Artis—Naples celebrates throughout the year.”

In 2021, filmmakers will be vying for more than $10,000 in cash prizes, including $2,500 each for the two juried competitions for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature, and $1,500 for the Focus on the Arts Award, given to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual or performing arts.

“The Naples International Film Festival places an emphasis on supporting our filmmakers in every way we can beyond our deep appreciation for the films we select each year,” says David Filner, Artis—Naples Executive Vice President Artistic Operations. “This support for filmmakers has become even more important during the last year, for obvious reasons, and we feel that NIFF can help provide important encouragement for the art of independent film. The prize money we award to our winning filmmakers is a key part of that, but it extends to other factors as well. We also place a premium on connecting filmmakers with each other, whether in-person or virtually, and by exploring different ways to share their films with more people. Last year, by showing films to live audiences in a safe, outdoor environment while also reaching virtual audiences throughout the state of Florida, we demonstrated that even during a pandemic we will be as creative and forward thinking as we can be in finding ways to share great films with our audiences.”

Last year, NIFF’s successful hybrid approach included the presentations of 66 films (13 narrative features, 12 documentary features, 41 short films) from 16 countries. Most virtual screenings were available to film fans throughout the state of Florida, with select films available nationwide. Audiences were also able to see some filmmakers discuss their films in virtual live and pre-recorded TalkBack Q&A sessions, and filmmakers gathered in online “filmmaker lounge” events with several also participating in a virtual press conference.

NIFF’s David Filner and Shannon Franklin welcome everyone and introduce the next screening.

NIFF 2021 Categories/Requirements

Narrative Features: Any original work of fiction 41 minutes or longer. Narrative feature films may be foreign or domestic.

Documentary Features: Any non-fiction feature length film 41 minutes or longer. Documentary feature films may be foreign or domestic.

Short Films: Any Narrative or Documentary film 40 minutes or less. Films may be foreign or domestic. NIFF programs short films in themed packages. We may also screen a short film before a Narrative or Documentary feature.

Florida Films: The Florida Films category is intended to celebrate, encourage, and support Florida filmmakers and the production of films in the state of Florida. Documentary Feature, Narrative Feature, or Short films must either include a filmmaker (director or producer) or cast member (leading actor/actress) from or currently living in Florida and/or have partial or principal photography shot in Florida.

Student Filmmaker Showcase, K-12 Division: Student filmmakers in the United States, currently enrolled in grades K-12 (as of April 1, 2021), are invited to submit a short film with a running time of 10 minutes or less (including credits) completed any time after January 1, 2019. Films of all genres are accepted (documentary, narrative, and animation). There is no premiere requirement for this category. Limit 1 entry per director. Films submitted in the Student Filmmaker Showcase category must be works written, directed, and shot by students. Adult participation is limited to an advisory capacity. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF AGE WITH THEIR SUBMISSION. Please indicate the school you are attending and send a photocopy of your current student ID, driver license, or ID card to naplesfilmfest@artisnaples.org.

Student Filmmaker Showcase, College/University Division: College and university students currently studying in the United States (undergraduate or graduate) are invited to submit narrative, documentary, or animated films with a running time of 40 minutes or less (including credits) completed any time after January 1, 2019. Films of all genres are accepted (documentary, narrative, and animation). There is no premiere requirement for this category. Limit 1 entry per director. Films submitted in the Student Filmmaker Showcase category must be works written, directed, and shot by students. Adult participation is limited to an advisory capacity. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF AGE WITH THEIR SUBMISSION. Please indicate the school you are attending and send a photocopy of your current student ID, driver license, or ID card to naplesfilmfest@artisnaples.org.

AWARD CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature – $2,500

Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature – $2,500

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature – $1,000

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature – $1,000

Audience award for Best Short Film – $500

Focus on the Arts Award – $1,500

Programmers’ Choice – $250

Best First Feature – $250

Rising Star Award – $250

Indie Spirit Award – $250

Impact Award – $250