Naples International Film Festival

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.”

Festival Producer Shannon Franklin Annc’s The 2020 Naples International Film Festival Call for Entries and Cash Prizes Rise Past $30K

By John Wildman 6 years ago

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.

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?”

FILMS GONE WILD: 10 Film Festival Programmers to Watch

By John Wildman 7 years ago

In the meantime, now that I have probably exhausted everyone’s patience by blathering on and ranting like an old man carrying a crumpled paper bag and out of date newspaper outside a deli, here is a quick list of ten people that I work with and for that I would suggest filmmakers, film industry types, and people reading the movie industry tea leaves SHOULD be paying attention to:

FILMS GONE WILD: Dallas Video Fest’s Alt: Fiction has CAN’T MISS films this weekend. Thanks, Bart Weiss!

By John Wildman 7 years ago

Here are a couple quick thoughts about Bart Weiss, the head of Dallas Video Fest and all of its film festival parts: He IS the film tastemaker of Dallas and Fort Worth and North Texas. He just is. Bart has his eyes, and ears, and heart, and most importantly – his brain On. The. Screen. Taste-wise, finger on the filmmaking pulse-wise, and eye out for what’s coming down the pike-wise, Bart Weiss is the benevolent leader we all take the lead from. Bottom line.

Brian Cox with THE ETRUSCAN SMILE FILM FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY: The 2018 Naples International Film Festival celebrated a big day and night of screenings with a red carpet filled with filmmakers

By John Wildman 7 years ago

On a warm October evening in South Florida, the 2018 Naples International Film Festival hit its stride with a full day and night of screenings at the beautiful Silverspot theaters and gave the red carpet treatment to all of its filmmakers, including beloved character actor Brian Cox, who was at the fest with his film, THE ETRUSCAN SMILE. Palm trees literally swayed in the distance as the directors and stars got there photos taken and talked to the press before heading inside to catch another movie.