Recently named to MovieMaker Magazine’s list of “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee in 2024,” the 16th edition of the popular regional film festival features the signature NIFF “fun-under-the-sun” style that has made it a favorite destination for filmmakers, industry veterans, influencers and film buffs for more than a decade.
The 2023 Naples International Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners during the Closing Night
Artis—Naples announces that the call for entries has begun for the 2023 Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), which is scheduled to take place October 26-29 at Artis—Naples and Silverspot Cinema in Naples.
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.
The Filmmaker Awards ceremony was an emotional one with $avvy’s Robin Hauser stating that she hoped she would “have the courage to make another film” so she could return to NIFF once again. Christopher Chambers said that following an extensive and successful film festival tour for his film, A Fire Within, he was overwhelmed to see it for the first time with an audience in the theater. Holy Frit’s Justin Monroe concluded the filmmaker awards acceptance speeches with an impassioned thank you to the Artis—Naples/NIFF team and Naples film fans for their support of the filmmakers and their work, emphasizing what the experience—from being accepted into the film festival, to the hospitality and generosity of the organization, to the very vocal approval of the audiences—means to filmmakers and how it helps propel their films’ paths forward.
“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.”
The 2020 Naples International Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners following the conclusion of this year’s virtual/outdoor screening hybrid fest. The jury prize for Best Narrative Feature (and a cash prize of $1,250) went to David Gutnik’s MATERNA, and the jury prize for Best Documentary Feature (and $1,250) was given to Brian Morrison’s BASTARDS’ ROAD. Audience Awards went to Lanie Zipoy’s THE SUBJECT (Best Narrative Film) and Lynn Montgomery’s AMAZING GRACE (Best Documentary Film), which each won a cash prize of $1000.
Artis─Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen said, “We are proud to be able to bring these wonderful films to our cinema-loving community here in Naples and South Florida as well as introduce those throughout the rest of the state and even the world to our NIFF world. This diverse lineup of films will provide entertainment and inspiration for our community. The Naples International Film Festival is an important part of our cultural offerings each season and we are thrilled to be able to share these films.”
In 2020, filmmakers will be vying for more than $30,000 in cash prizes, including $7,500 each for the two juried competitions for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature, and $5,000 for the Focus on the Arts Award, given to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual and performing arts.
However, NIFF has another secret weapon that makes it unique and a must stop for a filmmaker (if they can get accepted into the lineup) in the midst of their film festival tour: The Artis—Naples duo of CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen, and Executive Vice President, Artistic Operations David Filner. And let me add some context here: I worked for a number of years as the Senior Publicist for the Film Society of Lincoln Center (and all of heir film festivals and events like NYFF, New Directors, the Chaplin Gala, etc.). During the 5 years I was there, I think I saw the top guy at Lincoln Center once, possibly twice, and both were at – I kid you not – ribbon cutting ceremonies. That was it. There just wasn’t that kind of connection with the overarching ARTS umbrella organization.
