2024 Naples International Film Festival
Documentary
76 Days Adrift
2024, NR, US, Documentary, 110 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Joe Wein
Executive Producer: Ang Lee
Producers: Steven Callahan, Robert Sennott, Janet Lessnau
Writer: Steven Callahan (Book)
Cast: Steven Callahan
Alone on an inflatable raft in the Atlantic Ocean without food or water, Steven Callahan gives a gripping first-hand account of finding the strength to survive in this stunning retelling of his New York Times bestselling memoir, Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea.
Friday, October 25, 2:40pm
Saturday, October 26, 7:35pm
Sunday, October 27, 12:25pm
Documentary
The Accidental Spy
2024, NR, UK, Documentary, 97 minutes
North American Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Anthony Wonke
Executive Producer: Stephen Krahel
Producers: Johnny Howorth, Ivan Mactaggart
Cast: Blerim Skoro, Susan Skoro, Medina Skoro, Dafina Skoro, Joshua Dratel, Rene Kathawala, Tim Weiner
The Accidental Spy tells the gripping tale of one man’s entanglement in a dangerous complex geopolitical web, his ultimate sacrifice to protect his loved ones … and the crushing betrayal by the nation he risked everything to defend.
Friday, October 25, 8pm
Saturday, October 26, 11:30am
Sunday, October 27, 2:40pm
Documentary
Between the Mountain and the Sky
2024, NR, Canada, Documentary, 93 minutes
Florida Premiere
Juried Film
English and Nepali with English Subtitles
Director: Jeremy Power Regimbal
Executive Producers: Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Jay Duplass, Karen Mulvaney, Tom Mulvaney
Co-Producers: Shuli Harel, Ashley Edouard
Writer: Jeremy Power Regimbal
After being named CNN Hero of the Year, Maggie Doyne, guardian to over 50 Nepalese children, endures a devastating loss. Following a chance encounter amid her grief, she opens her life to a filmmaker, documenting her journey, her family and even an unexpected romance.
Friday, October 25, 7:20pm
Saturday, October 26, 6:20pm
Sunday, October 27, 11am
Documentary
Every Little Thing
2024, NR, Australia, Documentary, 93 minutes
Florida Premiere
Director: Sally Aitken
Producers: Bettina Dalton, Oli Harbottle, Anna Godas
Every Little Thing uncovers profound truths in a simple story. As Terry Masear cares for fragile hummingbirds, beautifully detailed photography brings these tiny creatures to life. Their small victories and tragedies reflect Masear’s journey, reminding us that grace and healing can be found in the smallest acts.
Friday, October 25, 11am
Saturday, October 26, 5:30pm
Sunday, October 27, 7:50pm
Documentary
Giants Rising
2024, NR, US, Documentary, 82 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Lisa Landers
Producers: Lisa Landers
Writer: Lisa Landers
Cast: Narrated by Michael Franti
Giants Rising takes us deep into America’s iconic forests, unveiling the secrets of the towering redwoods — some of the tallest and oldest living beings on Earth. Through the voices of scientists, artists, Indigenous communities and others, we explore their resilience, connections to humanity and their role in shaping our future.
Friday, October 25, 1:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 11:15am
Sunday, October 27, 5:45pm
Documentary
Mad About the Boy
2023, NR, UK, Documentary, 90 minutes
Director: Barnaby Thompson
Producers: Gregor Cameron, Barnaby Thompson
Writer: Barnaby Thompson
Cast: Narrated by Alan Cumming and Rupert Everett as the voice of Noel Coward
Using his own words, music and home movies, Mad About the Boy tells the amazing life story of writer, director, actor, singer, songwriter and poet Noël Coward as he rose from poverty to become one of the greatest multitalented artists the world has ever known.
Friday, October 25, 12:25pm
Saturday, October 26, 2:20pm
Sunday, October 27, 5:45pm
Documentary
Naked Ambition: Bunny Yeager
2023, G, US, Documentary, 73 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Florida Film
Directors: Dennis Scholl, Kareem Tabsch
Producers: Dennis Scholl, Kareem Tabsch, Konstantia Kontaxis
Cast: Carlos Betancourt, Sarahjane Blum, Ed Christin, Cherilu Duval, Dian Hanson, Lisa Irwin, Larry King, Nani Maka, Dick Rozenzweig, Holly Ruscin, Eric Shiner, Christy Strong, Guinevere Turner, Marcia Valibus, Dita Von Teese, Bruce Weber
You may not know her name, but you’ve probably seen her work. This documentary feature tells the story of trailblazing photographer Bunny Yeager and highlights her influence on pop culture — from the bikini and Playboy magazine to the modern selfie.
Friday, October 25, 12:45pm
Saturday, October 26, 2pm
Sunday, October 27, 4:50pm
Documentary
The Opener
2024, PG, US, Documentary, 72 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Jeff Toye
Producers: Philip Labes, Sunya Mara, Jeff Toye
Writers: Philip Labes, Sunya Mara, Jeff Toye
Cast: Philip Labes
After a struggling street musician goes viral playing songs from his bedroom, he’s offered the chance to prove himself on the big stage as the opening act for one of his musical heroes.
Friday, October 25, 5:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 7:30pm
Documentary
Porcelain War
2024, NR, Australia, US, Ukraine, Documentary, 87 minutes
Ukranian and Russian with English Subtitles
Directors: Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev
Producers: Aniela Sidorska, PGA; Paula DuPre' Pesmen, PGA; Camilla Mazzaferro; Olivia Ahnemann
Writers: Aniela Sidorska, Brendan Bellomo, Paula DuPre' Pesmen, Slava Leontyev
Cast: Slava Leontyev, Anya Stasenko, Andrey Stefanov
Porcelain War is a powerful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, following three Ukrainian artists as they find beauty amid war’s destruction. Filmed by ordinary civilians, this extraordinary documentary shows that, while fear is easy to create, passion and creativity are indestructible.
Friday, October 25, 4:50pm
Saturday, October 26, 8:55pm
Sunday, October 27, 4:15pm
Documentary
Rise Above
2024, NR, US, Documentary, 53 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Maryilene Blondell
Producers: Maryilene Blondell, Kasey Kirby
Writers: Maryilene Blondell, Lawrence Schoen
Cast: Carl Jackson, Ben Crenshaw, Scottie Scheffler, Gary Player, Warren Stephens, Mike 'Fluff' Cowan
Born into a life of poverty and not far from the rolling greens, dramatic slopes and azaleas of Augusta National, Carl Jackson defied fate to become golf’s greatest caddie.
Friday, October 25, 6:20pm
Saturday, October 26, 1:40pm
Sunday, October 27, 3:50pm
Documentary
Sanibel
2024, NR, US, Documentary, 65 minutes
World Premiere
Florida Film
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Herbert James Winterstern
Producers: Herbert James Winterstern, Kevan Rayden, Adam Ganser
Writer: Herbert James Winterstern
Sanibel started as an exploration of the people and businesses central to seashell culture in Southwest Florida. Six weeks into production, Hurricane Ian, one of the most destructive hurricanes in history, nearly wiped the island off the map.
Friday, October 25, 5:20pm
Saturday, October 26, 11:45am
Sunday, October 27, 2:45pm
Documentary
Shari & Lamb Chop
2023, NR, US, Documentary, 92 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Lisa D'Apolito
Producers: Cassidy Hartmann, Nicholas Ferrall, Morris Ruskin, Douglas Warner, Lisa D'Apolito
Writers: Cassidy Hartmann, Lisa D'Apolito, Andrea Lewis
The legendary ventriloquist Shari Lewis rose to stardom with her beloved sock puppet, Lamb Chop. When her popular children’s TV show is canceled, Lewis must find a way to make peace with her alter ego. Together, they spend decades reinventing themselves in this uplifting documentary.
Friday, October 25, 2:15pm
Saturday, October 26, 11am
Sunday, October 27, 1:40pm