After a 7-year hiatus, the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival returned to the beach and attracted an impressive lineup of films and shorts. Last night, the winner were announced at the Awards and Final Ceremony at the Fish-Tale Marina – see the result below!
The Festival
Independent movies were screen continuously at the Beach Theatre with a brief director Q&A following each screening. The highlight was two free full length features displayed on a giant inflatable screen directly on the beach, behind the Holiday Inn.
People’s Choice Winners
SORRY, THE VIDEO FOR 'CRACKER'S HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN AT THE REQUEST OF THE DIRECTOR, GREGORY PRINCIPATO, WHO WAS NOT AWARE THAT THE CINEMATOGRAPHER HAD POSTED IT.
Fans at the independent film festival voted for “Crackers,” in the People’s Choice category. The comedy stars BethAnn Bonner, Vincent D’Onofrio, Brenda Vaccaro, Sal Richards, Anthony Laciura,Dan Hedeya and Vincent Mora. Writer, Timothy Reinhardt and director/producer, Greg Principato, accepted the award along with a shared Best Short Film award. The other short film is “Easy Street,” directed by Russell Greene and starring Andrew Blair, who won the film festival’s Best Actor Award for most promising up and coming actors.
"CRACKERS" - Short Film - Super 16 from Scott Pelzel on Vimeo.
Best Feature Winner
“The Descending,” written and directed by Kyle Thompson, nabbed the Best Feature Award. Producer Chad Gurdgiel and actor Chris Harbur were on hand at the festival to accept the award. Best Documentary is “Virtual JFK,” directed by Koji Masutani.
The Descending Theatrical Trailer from Red Flight Pictures on Vimeo.
Student Film Winners
Among student films that were screened at the festival, “Broken Silence” directed by Gerrad Wilson, got top honors.
Local Film Winner
Films that were locally produced, were screened in the Beach Theatre and Madison Absher’s “White Out,” acted, written and produced, by this Fort Myers filmmaker, received the local film award.
Other Winners
Other awards from the 6th Annual Fort Myers Beach Film Festival were: Rising Star Award: actress and director, Kimberly McCullough. Star Achievement Award: comedian, singer, and actor, Sal Richards.
