2024 Naples International Film Festival
Narrative
Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts
2024, NR, US and Sri Lanka, Romantic Comedy, 110 minutes
Florida Premiere
Juried Film
English, Sinhala and Tamil with English Subtitles
Director: Shaun Seneviratne
Producers: Shaun Seneviratne, Doron JePaul Mitchell
Writer: Shaun Seneviratne
Cast: Sathya Sridharan, Anastasia Olowin
When Ben Santhanaraj visits Sri Lanka hoping to rekindle his relationship with American NGO worker Suzanne Hopper after a long separation, their second chance at love is thrown for a loop when Suzanne’s boss demands that she work during their vacation, effectively blocking Ben’s attempts at intimacy.
Friday, October 25, 7:45pm
Saturday, October 26, 4:30pm
Sunday, October 27, 3:15pm
Narrative
Breakup Season
2024, PG-13, U.S., Dramedy, 102 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: H. Nelson Tracey
Producers: Stephen Mastrocola, Rafi Jacobs, Liana Montemayor, Christopher Jennings
Writer: H. Nelson Tracey
Cast: Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, James Urbaniak, Brook Hogan, Carly Stewart, Jacob Wysocki
Ben, an ambitious yet unemployed young man, brings his girlfriend, Cassie, home to meet his family over the Christmas holiday. But after a winter storm socks his rural hometown and a late-night conversation fractures their relationship, Cassie becomes stranded with her ex and his family.
Friday, October 25, 1:15pm
Saturday, October 26, 11:55pm
Sunday, October 27, 5:05pm
Narrative
Days of Happiness
2023, NR, Canada, Drama, 118 minutes
French with English Subtitles
Director: Chloé Robichaud
Producers: Pierre Even, Paul-E. Audet, Jeannette Garcia
Writer: Chloé Robichaud
Cast: Sophie Desmarais, Sylvain Marcel, Nour Belkhiria, Maude Guérin, Vincent Leclerc, Yves Jacques
In this Canadian drama written and directed by Chloé Robichaud, rising conductor Emma attempts to navigate a toxic relationship with her father/agent, Patrick, and her budding new romantic relationship with a cellist as she considers a new career opportunity with a prestigious orchestra.
Friday, October 25, 11:45am
Saturday, October 26, 2:10pm
Sunday, October 27, 7:45pm
Narrative
Fight Like a Girl
2024, R, Rwanda/DR Congo, Sports Drama, 118 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
English, Swahili with English Subtitles
Director: Matthew Leutwyler
Producers: Anton Laines, Innocent Munyeshuri, Yvette Gayle, Serge Ibaka
Writer: Matthew Leutwyler
Cast: Ama Qamata, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Malaika Uwamahoro, Arthur Nkusi, Bahali Ruth, Kennedy Mazimpaka, Clarck Ntambwe
A young Congolese woman, kidnapped from her village and forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and makes a new life for herself after joining a renowned all-women boxing club in the border city of Goma.
Friday, October 25, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 4:30pm
Sunday, October 27, 11:45am
Narrative
Freedom Hair
2024, NR, US, Drama, 99 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Dianne Houston
Producers: Rob Pfaltzgraff, PGA; Lana Link, PGA; Stacey Parks, PGA
Writer: Dianne Houston
Cast: Simona Brown, Jeremie Harris, Sophia Bush, Erica Tazel
When a determined, business-savvy mother decides she no longer wants to live paycheck to paycheck and sets out to achieve financial independence by starting a natural hair braiding business, she is soon faced with overcoming unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and her home state of Mississippi.
Friday, October 25, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 26, 11:40am
Narrative
Kiss of the Con Queen
2024, NR, Thailand, Thriller, 116 minutes
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: Tom Waller
Producers: Takahiro Yamashita, Michael Pritchett, Tom Waller
Writer: Eoin O’Brien
Cast: Eoin O'Brien, Patrick Bergin, Ravi Patel
An actor thinks he’s hit paydirt after he’s offered a huge role in a blockbuster film. But after arriving for a shoot in Indonesia, nothing goes as planned, and he uncovers a shocking truth: He’s been caught in a global scam.
Friday, October 25, 4pm
Saturday, October 26, 7:45pm
Sunday, October 27, 2:05pm
Narrative
My Sunshine
2024, NR, Japan, Coming of Age, 90 minutes
Japanese with English Subtitles
Director: Hiroshi Okuyama
Producers: Toshikazu Nishigaya, Masahiro Handa, Masa Sawada
Writer: Hiroshi Okuyama
Cast: Sosuke Ikematsu, Keitatsu Koshiyama, Kiara Nakanishi
On a Japanese island, Takuya becomes captivated by Sakura, a rising figure skating star. Under the guidance of former champion Arakawa, they train as a duo for an upcoming competition. As winter deepens, so does their bond — but like the first snow, even strong connections can melt away.
Friday, October 25, 11:15am
Saturday, October 26, 6pm
Sunday, October 27, 8:10pm
Narrative
Never Not Yours
2024, NR, U.S., Dramedy, 82 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Directors: John Klein, Steve Kniss
Producers: John Klein, Steve Kniss, William, Jo Barron
Writers: John Klein, Steve Kniss
Cast: Josh Bywater, Angela Morris, Timmy Hart Barron, John Lister, Laura T. Fisher
Chaos ensues when retired parents announce their divorce to their three 30-something children, and the family must grapple with their changing relationships and identities.
Friday, October 25, 3:55pm
Saturday, October 26, 8:15pm
Sunday, October 27, 1:25pm
Narrative
The Paper Bag Plan
2024, NR, US, Drama, 107 minutes
East Coast Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Director: H. Anthony Lucero
Producers: Ke'alohi Lucero, H. Anthony Lucero
Writer: H. Anthony Lucero
Cast: Lance Kinsey, Cole Massie, Ravi Kapoor
Oscar has dedicated his life to the well-being of his disabled son, Billy. But when Oscar is diagnosed with cancer, he must race against time as he trains his son on how to bag groceries in hopes of landing his first job and preparing for a life of independence.
Friday, October 25, 7pm
Saturday, October 26, 2:40pm
Sunday, October 27, 11:15am
Narrative
Sheepdog
2024, R, US, Drama, 122 minutes
Florida Premiere
Filmmakers in Attendance
Juried Film
Director: Steven Grayhm
Producers: Steven Grayhm, Lynn D'Angona, P. Colin Kane
Writer: Steven Grayhm
Cast: Virginia Madsen, Vondie Curtis Hall, Steven Grayhm, Lilli Cooper, Dominic Fumusa, Matt Dallas
Decorated U.S. Army combat veteran Calvin Cole is court-ordered into treatment and into the care of a V.A. trauma therapist in training. Things become even more complicated when Calvin's father-in-law, a Vietnam veteran, shows up on his doorstep … fresh out of prison.
Friday, October 25, 4:55pm
Saturday, October 26, 7:15pm
Sunday, October 27, 11:35am