The 16th Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) running October 24-27, 2024 in Naples, Florida, unveiled the lineup of 58 films (10 narrative features, 12 documentary features and 36 short films) representing 26 countries.
NIFF 2024’s Opening Night features a shorts package titled Opening Night Shorts: New Perspectives, featuring six creative short films.
The Opening Night shorts program will feature Adam J. Graves’ Anuja about a 9-year-old girl working in a back-alley garment factory who is offered a rare chance to attend boarding school; Nick Russell’s thriller Favourites, in which two young parents deal with an impossible choice during a family camping trip in the Australian Outback; Jumai Yusuf’s Nate and John about a friendship that develops in the 1960s between a young Black barber’s assistant and a surly teenage hippie who’s forced to get a haircut by his father.
Also screening that night will be Ballard C. Boyd’s comedy Night Session, during which a burglary quickly morphs into an impromptu therapy session where the burglar assists the resident in processing his impending divorce – all while the resident assists the burglar in robbing his apartment. TJ O’Grady-Peyton’s Irish drama Room Taken follows a homeless man who secretly takes up residence in the home of an elderly blind woman—which results in an unexpected bond forming between the two. Sam Cutler-Kreutz and David Cutler-Kreutz’s SXSW special jury prize winner Trapped is centered on a janitor at a prestigious high school as he confronts a group of boys in the middle of a senior prank – putting him between the boys, his boss and his moral compass.
The festival will close with a presentation of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), featuring a live performance of Danny Elfman’s one-of-a-kind score by the Naples Philharmonic and conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.
“We are thrilled to present this year’s selection of films, each offering a unique lens through which audiences can explore the creativity of the human spirit,” said Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. “The Naples International Film Festival is an opportunity to enjoy the power of storytelling reflected across experiences, cultures and artistic expression. This year’s lineup embodies our ongoing commitment to celebrating the diversity of perspectives offered by independent film, inspiring introspection and connection within our community. We look forward to the profound conversations and shared experiences these films will undoubtedly spark.”
NIFF’s “Screenings Under the Stars” will include a special presentation of Dianne Houston’s Freedom Hair, which pits a determined, business-savvy mother starting a natural hair braiding business versus a powerful cosmetology cartel and her home state of Mississippi. Jeff Toye’s The Opener tells the tale of a struggling street musician who gets noticed after one of his songs goes viral and is offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as an opening act on tour for one of his musical heroes. Director Jeff Toye and the documentary’s subject, Philip Labes, will be in attendance for a post-film Q&A and a brief performance by Labes.
All screenings and associated events will be held in person in Hayes Hall, Daniels Pavilion or Norris Garden on the Artis – Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus or at the festival’s new venue partner, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Mercato.
Full Lineup for 2024 Naples International Film Festival
OPENING NIGHT FILM PRESENTATIONS
Anuja
Director: Adam J. Graves
Countries: India/U.S.; Running Time: 22 minutes
When an intelligent 9-year-old girl working in a back-alley garment factory is offered a rare chance to attend boarding school, she faces a choice that will determine the fate of her future and her family.
Favourites
Director: Nick Russell
Country: Australia; Running Time: 5 minutes
When a family’s camping trip in Australia’s Outback turns deadly, two young parents are tested and soon come to grips with an impossible choice.
Nate and John
Director: Jumai Yusuf
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 8 minutes
John and Nate first meet in the 1960s, when John, a surly teenage hippie, is forced by his father to get a haircut. Nate, a young Black barber’s assistant, obliges. From this ordinary beginning, a deep and enduring friendship blossoms between the two men over years of haircuts.
Night Session
Director: Ballard C. Boyd
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 11 minutes
When a burglar runs into the resident of an apartment he just broke into, the burglary quickly morphs into an impromptu therapy session where the burglar assists the resident in processing his impending divorce—all while the resident assists the burglar in robbing his apartment.
Room Taken
Director: TJ O’Grady-Peyton
Country: Ireland; Running Time: 18 minutes
When a man newly arrived in Ireland finds himself experiencing homelessness, he secretly takes up residence in the home of an elderly blind woman. As he tries to remain unnoticed, an unexpected and unique bond forms between them, reshaping their lives in ways neither could have imagined.
Trapped
Directors: Sam Cutler-Kreutz, David Cutler-Kreutz
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 15 minutes
A special jury prize winner at SXSW, Trapped follows Joaquin, a janitor at a prestigious high school, as he confronts a group of boys in the middle of a senior prank—putting him between the boys, his boss, and his moral compass.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM PRESENTATION
Batman (1989)
Director: Tim Burton
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 126 minutes
The Dark Knight of Gotham City begins his war on crime with his first major enemy being Jack Napier, a criminal who becomes the clownishly homicidal Joker.
NARRATIVE COMPETITION FEATURES
Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts
Director: Shaun Seneviratne
Countries: U.S./Sri Lanka; Running Time: 110 minutes
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.
Fight Like a Girl
Director: Matthew Leutwyler
Countries: Rwanda/DR Congo; Running Time: 118 minutes
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.
Sheepdog
Director: Steven Grayhm
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 122 minutes
Decorated U.S. Army combat veteran Calvin Cole is court-ordered into treatment and 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.
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION FEATURES
76 Days Adrift
Director: Joe Wein
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 110 minutes
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.
The Accidental Spy NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Director: Anthony Wonke
Country: UK; Running Time: 97 minutes
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.
Between the Mountain and the Sky
Director: Jeremy Power Regimbal
Country: Canada; Running Time: 93 minutes
After being named CNN 2015 Hero of the Year, Maggie Doyne, guardian to over 50 Nepalese children, faces a devastating loss. Following a chance encounter amidst her grief, Maggie allows a filmmaker into her life to document herself, her family, and soon enough, their love story.
ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES
Breakup Season
Director: H. Nelson Tracey
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 102 minutes
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 hits his rural hometown and a late-night conversation fractures their relationship, Cassie becomes stranded with her newly-minted ex and his family.
Days of Happiness
Director: Chloé Robichaud
Country: Canada; Running Time: 118 minutes
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.
Freedom Hair
Director: Dianne Houston
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 99 minutes
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.
Kiss of the Con Queen
Director: Tom Waller
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 116 minutes
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.
My Sunshine
Director: Hiroshi Okuyama
Country: Japan; Running Time: 90 minutes
On a Japanese island, Takuya becomes captivated by Sakura, a rising figure skater. 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.
Never Not Yours
Directors: John Klein, Steve Kniss
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 82 minutes
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.
The Paper Bag Plan
Director: Anthony Lucero
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 107 minutes
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.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Every Little Thing
Director: Sally Aitken
Country: Australia; Running Time: 93 minutes
Every Little Thing uncovers profound truths in a simple story. As Terry Masear cares for fragile hummingbirds, their small victories and tragedies reflect Masear’s journey, reminding us that grace and healing can be found in the smallest acts in this beautifully shot film that brings these tiny creatures to life.
Giants Rising
Director: Lisa Landers
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 82 minutes
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 the redwoods’ resilience, connections to humanity and the trees’ roles in shaping our future.
Mad About the Boy
Director: Barnaby Thompson
Country: U.K.; Running Time: 90 minutes
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.
Naked Ambition: Bunny Yeager
Directors: Dennis Scholl, Kareem Tabsch
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 73 minutes
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.
The Opener
Director: Jeff Troye
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 72 minutes
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 sing Jason Mraz, one of his musical heroes.
Porcelain War
Directors: Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev
Countries: Australia/U.S./Ukraine; Running Time: 87 minutes
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.
Rise Above
Director: Maryilene Blondell
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 53 minutes
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.
Sanibel WORLD PREMIERE
Director: Herbert James Winterstern
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 65 minutes
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.
Shari & Lamb Chop
Director: Lisa D’Apolito
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 92 minutes
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.
ADDITIONAL SHORT FILMS
À toi les oreilles
Director: Alexandre Isabelle
Country: Canada; Running Time: 13 minutes
While the townsfolk celebrate the village’s anniversary with a parade, Étienne tries the impossible: to show them the beauty of his family’s noisy chaos.
And Granny Would Dance
Director: Maryam Mohajer
Country: U.K.; Running Time: 10 minutes
Six-year-old Marmar cherishes the stories her grandmother’s friends share, always remembering how granny would light up and dance whenever her grandad would play the accordion.
Beautiful Men
Director: Nicolas Keppens
Countries: Belgium/France/Netherlands; Running Time: 19 minutes
Bald and insecure, three brothers travel to Istanbul for hair transplants in this animated short. Stuck with each other in a hotel far from home, the middle-aged brothers see their insecurities grow faster than their hairlines recede.
Bogotá Story
Director: Esteban Pedraza
Countries: Colombia/U.S.; Running Time: 16 minutes
In an era of drug violence and corruption, a young mother in Bogotá, Colombia, receives an internship opportunity in the United States and must decide between her dreams and her family.
The Bullfighter
Director: Giselle Bonilla
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 16 minutes
Since retiring, ex-bullfighter Felipe Fernando de la Fernand has struggled to maintain the heroism he once felt in the arena. Now working as a flag-waving parking attendant, he finds himself corralling more chaos than any bull he’s faced.
The Calm Under the Water
Director: Cam Brooks
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 10 minutes
The Calm Under the Water follows the emotional journey of an artist paralyzed from the neck down following a skimboarding accident. With the help of friends and the community, he confronts and overcomes the obstacles that have kept him from reconnecting with the place he once treasured—the ocean.
Cantata
Director: Dave Fox
Country: Ireland; Running Time: 12 minutes
Darren needs help. His fears are manifesting in the most unusual of ways—through opera. After visiting his therapist, he discovers that, to restore harmony in his life, all he has to do is simply face the music.
The Car That Came Back from the Sea
Director: Jadwiga Kowalska
Country: Switzerland; Running Time: 11 minutes
Six friends, full of exuberance and frivolity embark on a carefree road trip to the Polish Baltic coast, but as their car—and country—fall apart, they discover that life, like their journey, keeps moving forward.
Catherine & Michael
Director: Kathy Fusco
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 15 minutes
An unhappily married couple’s weekend at their friends’ idyllic country home leads them to an unexpected—and unconventional—way to reignite their fading spark.
Collage
Director: Màrius Conrotto
Country: Spain; Running Time: 10 minutes
Two museum employees, intrigued by a couple of patrons, embark on a “scientific” experiment to determine whether they’re flirting. What they uncover is a universal truth about love.
The Day Keeper
Director: Mark Kiefer
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 8 minutes
Cliff Wentworth, a Cape Cod lighthouse keeper who works the dayshift, struggles to keep his own inner light shining in this short, amusing mockumentary.
Hearts of Stone
Director: Tom Van Avermaet
Countries: Belgium/Croatia; Running Time: 31 minutes
In the heart of a bustling metropolis, an impossible love blooms between Paula, a lonely street artist who entertains people as a living statue, and the silent stone statue she stands beside each day.
The Ice Cream Man
Director: Robert Moniot
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 34 minutes
Shortly after the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, a popular Jewish ice cream parlor owner finds himself targeted by the infamous “Butcher of Lyon.”
I See You
Director: Briar March
Country: New Zealand; Running Time: 17 minutes
After encountering a charismatic young man with Down syndrome, Julia, a young mother struggling to love and accept her daughter, senses a shift and finally begins to see her daughter for who she is—a beautiful baby girl.
L+T
Director: Nevena Nikolova
Country: Bulgaria; Running Time: 18 minutes
A young woman makes a heartbreaking confession of love to a stranger in a bar. Neither of them imagined how far this would go.
Lip Virgin
Director: Shimrit Eldis
Country: Israel; Running Time: 11 minutes
In Lip Virgin, a short dramedy from Israel, a 13-year-old girl imagines her first kiss in a very romantic and detailed manner. But, just like all important life events, it isn’t what she expects. Her pursuit of the perfect first kiss becomes a journey of disillusionment.
LUKi & the Lights
Director: Toby Cochran
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 10 minutes
Robot LUKi displays unwavering resilience when his battle against ALS transforms into a testament to the human (and robotic) spirit’s ability to find light in the darkest of times. With every choice he makes and second he cherishes, LUKi & the Lights paints a portrait of what it means to truly live.
Night Session
Director: Ballard C. Boyd
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 11 minutes
When a burglar runs into the resident of an apartment he just broke into, the burglary quickly morphs into an impromptu therapy session where the burglar assists the resident in processing his impending divorce—all while the resident assists the burglar in robbing his apartment.
Saving Superman
Directors: Adam Oppenheim, Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 10 minutes
When the town hero, a man with autism, faces eviction, the community rallies to save the person who has always been there for them.
SilverSizzle
Director: Brian Russell
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 13 minutes
Two recent widowers enlist the aid of a cemetery caretaker as they embark on a quest to find new love among widows visiting their departed spouses.
Walk with Me
Director: Adrien Boublil
Country: Colombia; Running Time: 12 minutes
A man delves into his past, uncovering the influence of a pivotal figure in his life, as he seeks strength and reassurance on the day of his wedding. Directed by Adrien Boublil, Walk with Me was ranked in the top five among 300 short films produced in Colombia in 2023.
Wander to Wonder
Director: Nina Gantz
Countries: Netherlands/France/Belgium/UK; Running Time: 14 minutes
After the creator of an ’80s children’s television series dies, the show’s miniature stars—Mary, Billybud and Fumbleton—are left alone in the studio and continue to make increasingly strange episodes for their fans.
Yuck!
Director: Loïc Espuche
Country: France; Running Time: 13 minutes
In Yuck!, an animated short from France, little Léo plays along with his friends at summer camp. He says kissing on the mouth is gross, but secretly he wants to give it a try.
STUDENT FILMS
Cakewalk (WORLD PREMIERE)
Director: Lauren Best
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 2 minutes
In an unapologetically pink world, an exceptional bakery delivery girl does whatever it takes to deliver a perfectly punctual cake.
Coercion (WORLD PREMIERE)
Director: Kamdyn Atkinson
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 13 minutes
A man wakes up bound to a metal chair in a garage. With his memory hazy and the situation unclear, he faces a teenage interrogator who demands a confession. The only problem? The man has no idea what he’s guilty of.
Contracting the Cooties
Directors: Skylar Levine, Maya Bayewitch
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 3 minutes
When second-grader Maggie catches the dreaded cooties from a boy on the playground, her best friend Parker races against time to find the cure before it’s too late.
Gone
Director: Hunter Nickless
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 7 minutes
Haunted by the guilt of being the driver in a car crash that killed his friends, high school film student Luca uses pre-recorded video footage to mask his grief.
The Lake in the Sky
Director: Caleb Reese Paul
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 17 minutes
Warren is a nostalgic teenager stuck in his worst nightmare: the present. He attempts to relive every day over again, scouring for moments and memories worth recording. The only memories he does have that are worth preserving are locked away inside a mysterious machine.
The Lights Above
Director: Luke J. Salewski
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 17 minutes
Months after Pearl Harbor, a determined journalist teams up with a Japanese American photographer to investigate mysterious aircraft sightings over Los Angeles and prevent a potential attack.
Weathered
Director: Patrick Jang
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 9 minutes
In this documentary short, three teenagers share personal stories of struggle, resilience, and growth, demonstrating their incredible ability to weather turbulent inner battles.
When Beverly Met Reita
Director: Brianna Schatt
Country: U.S.; Running Time: 15 minutes
Reita Green, an 87-year-old former Hollywood star, finds new purpose wallpapering homes with her best friend, about 60 years her junior. Together, they brighten lives and inspire others in this uplifting documentary.