Fort Myers Beach on film
The Fort Myers Beach Film Festival hosted its 12th season at the Beach Theater this year.
The festival ran from April 25 to 29, featuring 40 films by local and national producers.
Films were screened at the Beach Theater.
“It’s super exciting every year. (Event Director) Janeen is super woman,” said Louie Mausser, theater manager. “We have talent from all over.”
Mausser likes to look for the real feel of cinema in the independent films, which often have to work within the constrains of a tight budget. The movies that can product the art of film, despite low funds, are the winners, he said.
The festival played host to its two popular filmmaker workshops, which were attended by film fans and students alike. Once again, Kyle Thompson and Bryant Hendricks of Red Flight Pictures out of Philadelphia lead a session about making independent films.
“It’s talking about the story itself, how to come to an agreement about how the story plays out,” Thompson said.
“Killer Island,” produced by Barbie Castro and directed by Alyn Darnay won selected as the best feature. The film was set in Captiva.
“Sometimes Lucky is More Important than Smart: Conversations with Mace Neufeld” by documentarian Stanley Isaacs was voted in for people’s choice award.
Other category winners include:
Local Film: Actors Anonymous. directed by Mark Stozenberg, cinematographer and editor Erik Alexander and producer/actress Judy Copeland
Best Short Film: Against the Grain, directed by Samantha Artese
Best Student Film: The Magic of Disneyland, directed by Zane Swift
Best Actor: Judy Copeland
Best Documentary: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, directed by Dr. Chris McDaniel
Rising Star Award: Jeffrey A. Johns
Star Achievement Award: Kyle Thompson, Red Flight Pictures.
The closing ceremony was held Sunday at Fish Tale Waterfront Dining.