2022 Naples International Film Festival
Opening Night Film & Party
Walk the Red Carpet and Meet the Filmmakers
Opening Night Presentation
Butterfly in the Sky
2020, NR, USA, Documentary, 86 min
Florida Film
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Directors: Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb
Producers: Bryan Storkel, Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb
Writer: Bradford Thomason
Cast: LeVar Burton
Butterfly in the Sky tells the story of the beloved PBS children’s series Reading Rainbow, its iconic host LeVar Burton and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television.
Thursday, October 27 • Artis—Naples
6pm Red Carpet Walk, 7pm Film Presentation
Feature Films
Listed in Alphabetical Order
Narrative
Acidman
2022, NR, US, Drama, 90 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Alex Lehmann
Producer: Liz Cardenas
Writers: Alex Lehmann, Chris Dowling
Cast: Thomas Haden Church, Dianna Agron
Maggie tracks down her estranged and reclusive father, Lloyd, who lives in the middle of nowhere searching for UFOs — an obsession that has taken over his life. Struggling to accept who her father has become, Maggie searches for a new way to connect with her dad so she can share a life-changing secret of her own with him.
Saturday, October 29, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 30, 11:30am
Documentary
Art & Krimes by Krimes
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 85 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Alysa Nahmias
Producers: Alysa Nahmias, Amanda Spain, Benjamin Murray
Writers: Alysa Nahmias and Miranda Yousef
Cast: Jesse Krimes, Jared Owens, Gilberto Rivera, Russell Craig
While locked up for six years in federal prison, artist Jesse Krimes secretly creates monumental works of art — including an astonishing 30-foot mural made with prison bed sheets, hair gel and newspaper. He smuggles out each panel, piece-by-piece, with the help of fellow artists, only seeing the mural in totality upon coming home.
Friday, October 28, 5:15pm
Saturday, October 29, 3pm
Narrative
The Big Bend
2021, R, US, Drama, 104 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Brett Wagner
Producers: Aaron Brown, Katrina Wolfe
Writer: Brett Wagner
Cast: Jason Butler Harner, Virginia Kull, Erica Ash, David Sullivan, Nick Masciangelo, Delilah Wagner, Zoë Wagner, Grae Mathews, Gavin Mathews
Two families meet for a long overdue reunion in the remote West Texas desert, and events quickly don’t go as planned. Harboring secrets and facing private crises, they explore one of the wildest places in America, testing the boundaries of marriage, friendship and parenthood — and doing their best to survive the experience.
Friday, October 28, 8pm
Saturday, October 29, 12:45pm
Narrative
Dear Zoe
2022, NR, US, Drama, 94 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Gren Wells
Producers: Marc Lhormer, Brenda Lhormer, Peter Phok, Christopher H. Warner
Writers: Marc Lhormer, Melissa Martin
Cast: Sadie Sink, Theo Rossi, Kweku Collins, Vivien Lyra Blair, Justin Bartha, Jessica Capshaw
A powerful coming-of-age story of love, loss, grief and resilience in which teenage Tess enlists the support of her biological father — a lovable slacker — and the charming juvenile delinquent next door in the aftermath of the death of her little sister, Zoe.
Saturday, October 29, 12:30pm
Sunday, October 30, 2pm
Narrative
Disfluency
2021, PG-13, US, Drama, 93 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Anna Baumgarten
Producers: Danny Mooney, Anna Baumgarten, Elaine Hastings Edell
Writer: Anna Baumgarten
Cast: Libe Barer, Ariela Barer, Chelsea Alden, Dylan Arnold, Travis Tope, Kimiko Singer, Ricky Wayne, Molly Hagan, Wayne David Parker
After unexpectedly failing her final college class, aspiring speech pathologist Jane retreats to her parents’ lake house in her hometown to embrace the carefree summer with her friends as she tries to sort out what to do next, piecing together what happened in order to unravel the emotional and psychological tangle that has been haunting her.
Friday, October 28, 1pm
Saturday, October 29, 5:15pm
Narrative
Food and Romance
2022, NR, Sweden, Drama, 102 minutes
Swedish with English Subtitles
Director: Annika Appelin
Producer: Cúán Mac Conghail
Writer: Anna Fredriksson
Cast: Marie Richardson, Peter Stromare
A sudden change forces Karin to reevaluate her life. With the help of friends, food and passion, she refuses to accept that life has an expiration date and takes the second chance she is given.
Friday, October 28, 3pm
Sunday, October 30, 4pm
Narrative
The Forger
2022, NR, Germany, Historical Drama, 116 minutes
Florida Premiere
German with English Subtitles
Director: Maggie Peren
Writer: Maggie Peren
Cast: Louis Hofmann, Jonathan Berlin, Luna Wedler, Nina Gummich, André Jung, Marc Limpach
Based on a true story of bravery in the face of evil, The Forger stars Louis Hofmann (Netflix’s Dark) as an audacious young man who poses as a marine officer and forges documents to help fellow Jews escape Nazi Germany.
Friday, October 28, 4:45pm
Sunday, October 30, 5:30pm
Narrative
Hard Shell, Soft Shell
2022, NR, France/Algeria, Drama, 100 minutes
French with English Subtitles
Director: Emma Benestan
Producers: Caroline Nataf - Unité
Writers: Emma Benestan, Nour Ben Salem
Cast: Yasin Houicha, Oulaya Amamra, Raphaël Quenard, Bilel Chegrani, Diong-Kéba Tacu, Tiphaine Daviot, Holy Fatma, Guillermo Guiz, Samira Sedira, Olivier Soula, Marion Guerrero, Tigrane AvedikianJuliette Cardinski, Thomas Bricmont, Roméo De Lacour, Marvin Pellegrino, Emma Benestan,Aurélien Marra, Tassadit Mandi, Atmen Kelif
Loved-up oyster farmer Az thinks he’s made it. But when an elaborate proposal goes awry and his girlfriend Jess breaks his heart, Az is forced to confront his understanding of what happiness really looks like — both hers and his own.
Friday, October 28, 12:30pm
Saturday, October 29, 8:15pm
Narrative
iMordecai
2022, NR, US, Comedy, 102 minutes
Florida Film
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Marvin Samel
Writer: Marvin Samel
Cast: Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane, Sean Astin
Marvin is an ambitious cigar maker trying to support his own family while still being there for his aging parents, Mordecai and Fela. When Mordecai’s ancient flip phone breaks, he starts to take lessons on his new iPhone, opening him up to all kinds of novel experiences and adventures, making him feel like a kid again.
Friday, October 28, 5:30pm
Saturday, October 29, 10:30am
Documentary
Lift
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 87 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: David Petersen
Producers: Mary Recine, David Petersen
Cast: Steven Melendez, Diana Byer, Victor Abreu, YolanssieCardona, Sharia Blockwood
Lift shines a spotlight on the invisible story of homelessness in America through the eyes of a group of young home-insecure ballet dancers in New York City and the mentor who inspires them.
Friday, October 28, 10:30am
Sunday, October 30, 6:30pm
Documentary
The Long Rider
2022, PG-13, Canada, Documentary, 96 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
English (with some Spanish and Portuguese)
Director: Sean Cisterna
Producers: Peter Hawkins, Arnon Melo, Aeschylus Poulos, Sonya Di Rienzo
Cast: Filipe Masetti Leite, Cuchullaine O’Reilly
When Filipe Leite leaves his adoptive home of Canada, the aspiring journalist embarks on an epic quest to ride the length of the Americas from north to south — entirely on horseback — to return to home and his family in South America.
Friday, October 28, 7:45pm
Saturday, October 29, 1:15pm
Narrative
MVP
2022, NR, US, Drama, 112 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Nate Boyer
Producer: Sylvester Stallone
Writers: Nate Boyer, Geraint Jones
Cast: Nate Boyer, Mo McRae, Tony Gonzalez, Dina Shihabi, Jarrod Bunch, Jay Glazer, Michael Strahan, Rich Eisen, Howie Long, Christina Ocha, Talia Jackson
On the streets of Hollywood, a recently retired NFL player is saved from scandal by a homeless veteran suffering from PTSD. With their “glory days” behind them both, the two men bond in search of real purpose and identity.
Saturday October 29, 7:30pm • Artis—Naples
Sunday, October 30, 11am • Silverspot Cinema
Documentary
Path of the Panther
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 89 minutes
Florida Film
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Eric Bendick
Producers: Carlton Ward Jr., Tori Linder, Thomas Winston, Eric Bendick
Writer: Eric Bendick
Cast: Carlton Ward Jr., Betty Osceola, Elton Langford, Dr. Jen Korn, Dr. Lara Cusack, Brian Kelly
Drawn in by the haunting specter of the Florida panther, photographer Carlton Ward finds himself on the front lines of an accelerating battle between forces of renewal and destruction that has pushed the Everglades to the brink of ecological collapse.
Saturday, October 29, 5:45pm
Sunday, October 30, 1:30pm
Documentary
The Pez Outlaw
2022, NR, US/Austria, Documentary, 87 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Directors: Amy Bandlien Storkel, Bryan Storkel
Producers: Amy Bandlien Storkel, Bryan Storkel
Cast: Steve Glew
In the 1990s, Pez dispensers were worth more, gram for gram, than cocaine or even gold. Steve Glew, from rural Michigan, spent 10 years smuggling Pez dispensers into the U.S. from Eastern Europe, making millions of dollars. It was all magical until it wasn’t — when his archnemesis, the Pezident, decided to destroy him.
Friday, October 28, 7:30pm • Artis—Naples
Saturday, October 29, 11:45am • Silverspot Cinema
Narrative
Playing Through
2022, NR, US, Drama, 91 minutes
Florida Film
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Balbinka Korzeniowska
Producer: Peter Odiorne
Writer: Curtis Jordan
Cast: Andia Winslow, Julia Rae, Sam Daly, Ronnie G. Blevins, Moses Jones, Michael Mendez, Tim Murphy
Late in her career, Ann Gregory, dubbed the Queen of Negro Golf, finds the courage to be the first woman of color to enter the USGA Women’s Amateur. She collides with Babs Whatling, a privileged white woman from the South who is searching for her own identity. This highly publicized match forever changes them and the game.
Friday, October 28, 2:15pm
Saturday, October 29, 5pm
Narrative
Róise & Frank
2022, PG, Ireland, Drama, 84 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Gaeilge with English Subtitles
Directors: Rachael Moriarty, Peter Murphy
Producer: Cúán Mac Conghail
Writers: Rachael Moriarty, Peter Murphy
Cast: Bríd Ní Neachtain, Cillian Ó Gairbhí, Lorcan Cranitch, Ruadhán de Faoite
It has been two years since Róise lost the love of her life: her husband, Frank. She is now isolated in grief, cutoff from family and community. The arrival of a mysterious dog, who seems intent on connecting with Róise, heralds huge change... but is it for the better?
Friday, October 28, 10:45am
Sunday, October 30, 6:20pm
Narrative
Shudderbugs
2022, NR, US, Drama, 105 minutes
World Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Johanna Putnam
Producers: Johanna Putnam, Brennan Brooks, Jamie Unruh
Writer: Johanna Putnam
Cast: Johanna Putnam, Brennan Brooks
Samantha Cole returns to her childhood home when her mother suddenly passes. In place of familiar spaces and memories, Sam finds only uneasiness and confusion. Things are missing, the environment seems unnatural and the neighbor, Noah, who discovered her mom’s body is suspiciously obtuse. Isolated with these mysteries, Sam wrestles with her sanity and certainties.
Friday, October 28, 7:15pm
Saturday, October 29, 2pm
Documentary
Still Working 9 to 5
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 91 minutes
Florida Film
Florida Premiere
Directors: Camille Hardman, Gary Lane
Producers: Camille Hardman, Gary Lane
Writer: Camille Hardman
Cast: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Allison Janney, Rita Moreno
When the highest grossing comedy, 9 to 5 — starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman and Lily Tomlin — exploded on screens in 1980, the laughs hid a serious message about inequality in the workplace. Still Working 9 to 5 explores what has changed for working women over the last 40 years.
Friday, October 28, 12pm
Sunday, October 30, 3:15pm
Narrative
Sweet Disaster
2021, NR, Germany, Drama, 92 minutes
German, Finnish and English with English Subtitles
Director: Laura Lehmus
Producers: Markus Kaatch, Nina Grudsky, Michael Grudsky
Writer: Ruth Toma
Cast: Friederike Kempter, Florian Lukas, Lena Urzendwosky, Mareile Blendl, Lasse Myhr
Frida unexpectedly falls pregnant, and Felix, the father of her child, breaks up with her to reunite with his ex. Although some serious health problems caused by the late pregnancy force Frida to rest, she still tries to get Felix back, using methods that are absurd, exaggerated and sometimes hilarious.
Friday, October 28, 5:45pm
Saturday, October 29, 11:15am
Documentary
Take Me to the River New Orleans
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 115 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: Martin Shore
Producers: Martin Shore, Cody Dickinson, Dan Sameha
Cast: The Neville Brothers, Snoop Dogg, Irma Thomas, Ledisi, G-Eazy, Donald Harrison, Dr. Johnand many others
Take Me to the River New Orleans celebrates the rich musical history, the heritage, legacy, culture and influence of New Orleans and Louisiana. A true collaboration and melting pot of influences from around the world.
Friday, October 28, 2:45pm
Sunday, October 30, 3:45pm
Documentary
The Thief Collector
2022, NR, US, Documentary, 89 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Allison Otto
Writers: Mark Monroe, Nick Andert
In 1985, Willem de Kooning’s Woman-Ochre, one of the most valuable paintings of the 20th century, was cut from its frame at the University of Arizona Museum of Art. More than 32 years later, the painting is rediscovered in the unlikeliest of places. The Thief Collector unravels the layers of this infamous heist.
Saturday, October 29, 8pm
Sunday, October 30, 11:45am
Shorts
A Selection of Short Films Packaged by Theme
Shorts Package 1
Passion for the Arts
81 minutes
Film Premieres
Filmmakers in Attendance
A career in the arts is usually driven by passion. These true stories display the incredible dedication, creativity and relentless drive that are needed to make it happen.
Chihuly: Roll the Dice
Identity: The Andrew Nemr Story
Conducting Life
Saturday, October 29, 6pm
Sunday, October 30, 1:45pm
Shorts Package 2
The World Around Us
87 minutes
Film Premieres
Stories from Spain, Ethiopia, Norway, China and France — from a mother searching for her missing daughter to an actor’s desperate attempt to win over the girl of his dreams.
The Bathtub
A Very Fragile Thing
Mamma
Medea
Rodrigue in Love
Friday, October 28, 12:45pm
Saturday, October 29, 3:30pm
Shorts Package 3
Lessons Learned
80 minutes
Film Premieres
Love, loss, mistakes… and sometimes an opportunity to turn it all around. These films remind us that there is always something new to learn in life, no matter how old you may be.
Cycle Vérité
Make Your Soul Grow
Black Slide
Melons
The Interview
Frank & Emmet
Friday, October 28, 11am
Saturday, October 29, 7:45pm
Shorts Package 4
A Sense of Place
76 minutes
Film Premieres
In the search for a connection, a purpose or where you are truly meant to be, sometimes you don’t have to look very far.
The Desert King
Ousmane
Out of Tune
An Irish Goodbye
Saturday, October 29, 10:45am
Sunday, October 30, 6:15pm
Shorts Package 5
Risks and Rewards
82 minutes
Film Premieres
Filmmakers in Attendance
When you risk it all in pursuit of love, friendship or your dreams, you might suffer devastating consequences… or you might just win big.
Shark
The Right Words
Progress
Volley
Skim
Heart Land
Friday, October 28, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 30, 11:45am
Shorts Package 6
Point of View
75 minutes
Film Premieres
Just when you think you know how things are supposed to go, something comes along and helps you see the world in a whole new way.
Babatoura
The Status Quo
Hamleyed
Bendix: Site Unseen
Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat
Friday, October 28, 3:15pm
Sunday, October 30, 4:15pm
Shorts Package 7
Student Filmmaker Showcase
92 minutes
Film Premieres
Filmmakers in Attendance
From dramatic camerawork to sparkling animation and compelling storytelling, this collection of 12 films features the industry’s newest filmmakers, screening together as part of a special look at up-and-coming talent.
K-12 Division
Agent Stout
Gone
The Letter
Reaper
Hardcore
Swept Away
College/University Division
The Trip
Life With Coffee
My Cat Lucy
Vilomah
Space Race
Funeral Fever
Café Drawing
Saturday, October 29, 3:45pm
Talks & Panel Discussions
Conversations with Filmmakers
Florida in Focus:
Filmmaking in the Sunshine State
2022 NIFF Panel Discussion
60 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Panelists:
Maggie McCarty, Paradise Coast Film Commissioner
Peter Odiorne, producer Playing Through
Eric Bendick, director Path of the Panther
Bryan Storkel, director The Pez Outlaw and producer Butterfly in the Sky
Moderator:
Elaine Newton, Ph.D., Artis—Naples resident film critic
For more than 100 years, filmmakers have been coming to Florida for its beautiful weather, stunning natural surroundings and the opportunity to tell unique and exciting stories. In this panel, Elaine Newton sits down with industry experts and some of our visiting filmmakers to discuss making movies in the Sunshine State.
Friday, October 28, 10am
Adventures in Filmmaking
2022 NIFF Panel Discussion
60 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Panelists:
Sean Cisterna, director The Long Rider
Marc Lhormer, writer/producer Dear Zoe
Johanna Putnam actor/director Shudderbugs
Brett Wagner, director The Big Bend
Moderator:
Elaine Newton, Ph.D., Artis—Naples resident film critic
It seems straightforward enough — have a film idea, find some money, pull together a team, grab a camera and then watch the movie magic happen... right? Of course, the actual process of filmmaking is never quite that easy. In this panel, Elaine Newton sits down with some of our visiting filmmakers as they share their candid and comical behind-the-scenes stories of what it really takes to make a movie.
Saturday, October 29, 10am
Closing Night
Food, Fun, Awards and Film
Awards Ceremony, Film & Wrap Party
2022 Naples International Film Festival Awards
Filmmakers in Attendance
There’s no better way to cap your Naples International Film Festival experience than by attending the Closing Night Awards Ceremony. Enjoy food, fun and a chance to celebrate the very best work NIFF brought to Naples this year.
Sunday, October 30, 5:30pm
Closing Night Film
Jurassic Park in Concert
1993, PG, US, Adventure Comedy, 127 minutes
Film score with full orchestra
Film and live concert performance
Join Jack Everly and the Naples Philharmonic as they journey to a prehistoric land inhabited by dinosaurs! Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, Jurassic Park is sheer cinematic magic 65 million years in the making. Experience Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-winning film like never before with a live HD screening as Jack and the orchestra perform John Williams’ iconic score onstage. Welcome... to Jurassic Park!
Sunday, October 30, 7:30pm