Naples International Film Festival announces Call for Entries for 2022 fest in October
Call for entries is now open for the 2022 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), which will take place October 27-30. The 14th iteration of the popular regional film festival, named one of the “Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine in 2019, will feature the signature NIFF “fun-under-the-sun” style that has made it a favorite destination for filmmakers, industry vets, influencers, and film fans for more than a decade. The deadline for early-bird submissions is May 13, regular deadline is June 16, and the final deadline is July 6, 2022.
For the 2022 festival, NIFF will once again combine the spark and spirit of independent filmmaking with the artistic lineage and resources of the acclaimed multidisciplinary arts organization Artis—Naples. In addition to a weekend full of films screened at the luxurious Silverspot Cinema Naples, the festival will also include select films screened on a 24-foot outdoor screen in the beautiful Norris Garden on the Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus. The closing night of the festival will feature a screening of Jurassic Park with the powerful John Williams score performed live by the Naples Philharmonic conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.
“We are very fortunate to be part of Artis—Naples, whose multidisciplinary mission includes embracing the art of independent film,” said Festival Producer Shannon Franklin. “NIFF is unique in that we not only champion independent film and filmmakers, but we also emphasize their placement next to—and as part of—the visual and performing arts that Artis—Naples presents throughout the year and that keeps audiences coming back for more.”
In 2022, 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 $1,500 for the Focus on the Arts Award, given to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual or performing arts.
“The Naples International Film Festival is known for putting a priority on supporting our filmmakers in every way we can, and we’re proud of that reputation,” says David Filner, Artis—Naples executive vice president, artistic operations. “We feel that NIFF can help provide important encouragement for the art of independent film. The prize money we award to our winning filmmakers is a key part of that, but it extends to other factors as well. We also place a premium on connecting filmmakers with each other, and on exploring different ways to share their films with more people.”
Franklin adds that the relationships filmmakers build at NIFF last long past the festival. “Our hope is that filmmakers will make and cultivate lasting relationships during their time in Naples, and we do everything possible to foster that,” Franklin said. “Whether relaxing in the filmmaker lounge, attending each other’s screenings or sitting on a panel together, filmmakers have the opportunity to really get to know each other and to know the festival.”
Allison Chu and Jonathan Keijser (Peace By Chocolate), Robin Hauser ($avvy),
Jim Bernfield (Me To Play), Deirdre O’Conner (One Moment), Justin Monroe
and Tim Carey (Holy Frit), Christopher Chambers (A Fire Within),
and Artis-Naples’s David Filner
(Photo by Wildman)
NIFF 2022 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 March 21, 2022), are invited to submit a short film with a running time of 10 minutes or less (including credits) completed any time after January 1, 2021. 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, 2021. 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
SUBMISSION DEADLINES
- Early Bird: May 13, 2022
- Regular: June 16, 2022
- Late: July 6, 2022
