Naples film festival to be held at Silverspot cinemas in November

The Naples International Film Festival has announced the location of the inaugural film festival event, to be held Nov. 5-8 at Silverspot luxury cinemas at Mercato in Naples.

For four days, NIFF will showcase the extraordinary on Silverspot's screens, showing the finest films, shorts, and documentaries from around the world, with a special focus on Southwest Florida's filmmakers. Silverspot will offer NIFF attendees and moviegoers the finest cinematic accommodations, and will also host a number of events, galas and award ceremonies surrounding the international festival event.

The location was revealed at a mixer last week held at Six Degrees Exhibitions, where the newly appointed NIFF advisory board was also announced. Members include: Phil Wood, Charlene Rooney, Brenda O'Connor, Maggie McCarty, Maury Dailey, Dick Munro, Bob Encarnacion, Jim Griffith, Bill Young, Janice Kemp, Stephen Gray-Blancett, Elizabeth D'Onofrio, Nicole Angelo and Mayela Rosales. The announcements were celebrated with food, dancing and the screening of two short films and a Naples International Film Festival commercial.

The Naples International Film Festival Board of Directors include: Eric Raddatz, founding member and executive director; Rowan Samuel, founding member and marketing director; Dan Linehan, founding member and executive coordinator; Ellen Goldberg, submissions manager; Chuck Ardezzone, sales director; Jill Wheeler, public relations manager; Blake Owen, festival

coordinator; Tim Rowe, operations director; Michael Lehn, development director; Chengi Muyambo, director online development; Jessica Mathews, director of strategic partnerships; and John Goede, legal counsel.

The Naples International Film Festival will be holding weekly prescreenings leading up to the November festival. Every Thursday at 7 p.m., starting April 16 at Six Degrees Exhibitions in

Naples, the community

can join the judging committee to see and rate films in consideration for the festival. Discussion with the judging panel, and local filmmakers, actors and directors follows each film.

For more information, visit www. naplesfilmfest.com, e-mail eric@naplesfilmfest. com or call (239) 331-2678.