Kathleen van Bergen

Naples International Film Festival announces Call for Entries for 2022 fest in October

By John Wildman 4 years ago

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.

2021 Naples International Film Festival celebrates the Art of the Short Film with this year’s lineup

By John Wildman 4 years ago

Artis—Naples announced the film lineup for the 13th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) to be held October 21-24, 2021, featuring a return to in-person screenings. A central theme of this year’s edition of NIFF will be a celebration of the art of making the short film, including the first time the festival has showcased a specially curated shorts program for its Opening Night Film experience. The film festival will close with a special presentation of Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future featuring a live performance of John Williams’ classic score by the Naples Philharmonic, conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.

Alice Gu’s THE DONUT KING Opens Naples International Film Festival: October 22-25, 2020 virtual and in-person events among BANKSY MOST WANTED

By John Wildman 5 years ago

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.”

The 2019 Naples International Film Festival has tropical red carpet featuring honoree Joey Pants

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.

Bill Gallagher’s RUNNER leads 2019 Naples International Film Festival nearly triples cash prizes for filmmaker awards

By John Wildman 6 years ago

The 2019 Naples International Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners during the Closing Night Awards Ceremony on Sunday, October 27. The jury prize for Best Narrative Feature (and a cash prize of $7,500) went to Amber McGinnis’ INTERNATIONAL FALLS, and the jury prize for Best Documentary Feature (and $7,500) was given to Bill Gallagher’s RUNNER. Gallagher’s film also took NIFF’s Audience Award for Documentary Feature (and an additional $2,000), while R.J. Daniel Hanna’s MISS VIRGINIA was the Audience Choice for Narrative Feature (also receiving $2,000).

Van Maximilian Carlson’s PRINCESS OF THE ROW Opens 2019 Naples International Film Festival, closes with RAIDERS, and salutes Joey Pants

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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?”