Named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the "Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" in 2019, the 15th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) takes place October 26-29, 2023, in Naples, Florida. Festival Presenting Sponsors are Dr. Richard Lublin and Christine Stahl Lublin, with generous support also provided by the Collier County Tourist Development Council - www.paradisecoast.com.

As part of Artis—Naples, a multidisciplinary arts organization that focuses equally on the visual and performing arts, the Naples International Film Festival is a place for film lovers to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate the art of film in a friendly, welcoming environment. This year, we’re thrilled to be awarding over $10,000 in cash prizes, which includes a $1,500 cash prize for our Focus on the Arts Award given to a Narrative or Documentary film with an emphasis on one or more of the visual and performing arts.

NIFF presents a carefully curated program of over 60 domestic and international narrative, documentary, and short films from established and emerging filmmakers. The opening night film and party traditionally takes place on the Artis—Naples cultural campus, with competition films screening at one of our state-of-the-art partner theaters throughout the weekend. Our community is passionate about film, and NIFF always strives to create a relaxed environment where filmmakers and audiences can truly connect.

Whenever possible, we strongly encourage filmmakers to attend the festival, where they will find a warm welcome from our friendly staff, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic community. We intentionally keep our program small, which allows us to pay detailed attention to every film in the festival. Filmmakers have always been encouraged to participate in everything from our exclusive filmmaker’s welcome reception to the opening night festivities and more.

Our hope is that filmmakers will make lasting relationships during their time in Naples. Since the beginning of NIFF, we have endeavored to foster a spirit of camaraderie among visiting filmmakers, whether relaxing in the filmmaker lounge, attending each other’s screenings, or sitting on a panel together. We strive to build long-lasting relationships with our NIFF alumni and make a point to stay in touch long after the festival weekend has ended. It’s gratifying to watch careers and projects develop, and we always welcome the chance to consider new work from our alumni.

Filmmakers are at the heart of everything we do. When you share your film with us, you will be treated with respect throughout every stage of the submissions process. Your emails will be returned, your questions answered and a real, live person will (usually) answer the phone.

Thank you for your interest in the Naples International Film Festival. We wish you all the best with your film!

Work accepted to screen at the Festival will be programmed in competitive and noncompetitive categories at the sole discretion of the Naples International Film Festival. The number of scheduling slots available for competitive and non-competitive narrative features, documentary features and short films may vary from year to year. Films not accepted into the juried competition may still be eligible for special recognition awards and audience awards, as determined by the NIFF programming department.

Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature Competition - $2,500
Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature Competition - $2,500
Focus on the Arts Award - $1,500
Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature - $1,000
Audience Award - Best Documentary Feature - $1,000
Audience Award - Best Short Film - $500
Best Florida Film (Narrative, Documentary or Short) - $500
Indie Spirit Award - $250
Rising Star Award - $250
Best First Feature Award - $250
Programmers Choice Award - $250
Impact Award - $250

The Festival may also acknowledge special projects through additional non-cash awards each year.

Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.

CALL FOR ENTRIES 2023

I. RULES FOR SUBMISSIONS

A. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2022.

B. All films must be available to screen during the Naples International Film Festival, October 26-29, 2023.

C. Previous Screenings

1. Films must not have screened theatrically in Florida or shown on television in the U.S. prior to the festival, and it is strongly preferred that films are not made available online (outside of virtual film festivals) prior to the festival, October 26-29, 2023. Short films may have screened online.

2. NIFF strongly prefers films to not have screened publicly in Collier or Lee counties prior to screening at the Naples International Film Festival, October 26-29, 2023. This rule does not apply to the Student Filmmaker Showcase category. If there are any questions regarding premiere status, please contact us at naplesfilmfest@artisnaples.org.

3. If you are unsure if your film is eligible for festival consideration, please check with us before entering your film by emailing naplesfilmfest@artisnaples.org. Refunds will not be issued once a film is submitted.

D. Florida Films - When submitting your film in any of our categories, you will have an opportunity to let us know if your project qualifies as a "Florida Film" (meaning principal or partial photography shot in the state of Florida).

E. The Naples International Film Festival will not consider trailers or rough cuts for selection purposes.

F. All films must be in their original language with English subtitles, when applicable.

G. All films must be submitted and submission fees paid for through filmfreeway.com. Entries must be received by July 7, 2023. The Festival is not obligated to view late entries.

The Naples International Film Festival accepts secure online screeners through FilmFreeway, Vimeo, and YouTube. The Festival no longer accepts DVD submissions.

H. Films will be selected and entrants will be notified via email by October 6, 2023. All correspondence will be done by email; no information will be provided over the phone.

I. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized feedback to filmmakers.

J. Artis–Naples reserves the right to make exceptions to the above rules at its sole discretion. Any exceptions to the submission rules must be approved by Artis—Naples.

II. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTED FILMS

A. Filmmakers must provide the Naples International Film Festival with a clean, clear print for exhibition in one of our accepted formats, per category rules. Narrative and Documentary Features screen on DCP. For Short Films, acceptable exhibition formats are DCP, AppleProRes (422 or higher) or DNx (HQ or higher). We do not accept HDCAM or Betacam.

B. Marketing and Publications

1. Upon acceptance, filmmakers must provide high-resolution digital photographs, synopsis, credits, poster or other press kits or promotional materials for each film. Filmmakers must also provide a copy of the film trailer (if applicable) and press screeners upon request.

2. Artis—Naples controls all festival marketing inclusive of media plan, brochures, advertising, and program. Artis—Naples agrees to use approved images, billing and text to be provided electronically by filmmakers.

3. Participants agree that all materials related to their film may be used in Artis—Naples publications, website, and other promotional materials or property and in all media. Posters and images of the film may be used independently as well as in combination with images from other films to promote the film and the Naples International Film Festival.

C. Festival Screenings

1. If selected, filmmakers authorize Artis—Naples to present up to three (3) theatrical screenings during the 2023 Naples International Film Festival. Film scheduling is at the discretion of Artis—Naples. Artis—Naples retains the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason.

2. If selected, Participants give permission for film's inclusion and additional screening as part of "Best of Fest," or "Festival Choice," which may take place during the festival or shortly after.

D. Shipping

1. Artis—Naples holds no responsibility for films damaged upon arrival. Artis—Naples will ensure the safety of films from the time of delivery through the time the print is delivered to a shipping agent for return.

2. Filmmakers are responsible for the cost of shipping the exhibition materials to Artis—Naples. All international entries must be sent with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper. In most cases, Artis—Naples will pay the cost of outbound shipping of the print to its next destination. However, Artis—Naples will not be responsible for unnecessary expedited or overnight shipping charges to other destinations, nor will it pay international shipping on U.S. films, unless pre-arranged with Artis—Naples prior to October 6, 2023.

3. Please request/obtain confirmation of delivery through the courier tracking service.

III. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A. The representative (the “Filmmaker”) of the film being submitted (the "Film"), acknowledge and agree as follows in connection with the film submitted for consideration for Artis—Naples’ (the “Presenter”) Naples International Film Festival (the "Festival"):

B. The Filmmaker hereby represents and warrants to the Presenter that (a) they are duly authorized, on their own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights in the Film, to exhibit this Film at the Festival, (b) this exhibition will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity and (c) the Film is not subject to litigation nor is it threatened by any litigation.

C. The Filmmaker further represents and warrants that, to the best of his/her knowledge, the exhibition of the Film at the Festival will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity and that the Film does not constitute a defamation of any person or entity. The Filmmaker has paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from the exhibition of the Film in connection with the Festival.

D. If accepted, the Filmmaker acknowledges that the exploitation of the Film does not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between the Presenter and the Filmmaker and/or the Film. The Filmmaker understands that he/she will not receive any compensation for such exploitation. The Filmmaker acknowledges that no obligation of any kind is assumed by or may be implied against the Presenter because of the Presenter's selection of the Film. The Filmmaker understands and acknowledges that the selection of the Film by the Festival does not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by the Presenter or any opinion expressed therein.

E. The Filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Presenter with any affiliate, subsidiary and parent entities and the officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisers and agents of each of the foregoing from and against any and all claims, losses, or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that may be asserted against any of the foregoing or incurred by any of the foregoing at any time in connection with the Film or the Presenters' use thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by the Filmmaker.

F. The Filmmaker represents that he/she is 18 years of age or older, or that if he/she is younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in the filmmaker's state, he/she has provided a written consent from his/her parent or legal guardian. The Filmmaker agrees that any controversy arising out of or in connection with the Film, the Festival or Artis—Naples will be governed by the laws of the State of Florida and conclusively determined by arbitration or some other method of alternative dispute resolution selected by Artis—Naples. If the Filmmaker refuses to submit the matter to alternative dispute resolution, or to participate in good faith in alternative dispute resolution, costs and attorney's fees incurred by Artis—Naples shall be paid by the Filmmaker. The Filmmaker hereby waives any and all rights and benefits which the Filmmaker might otherwise have or be entitled to litigate any such dispute in court, including without limitation a trial by jury.

G. If accepted, the Filmmaker hereby grants without reservations, to the Presenter and their related entities (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles or the film in its entirety without recourse to the owner, producer, director, or any other party asserting ownership rights of the submitted film and information from the Film for promotional purposes and (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information. The Filmmaker also agrees to provide contact information for the director and producer(s) of the Film and grant the Presenter the right to provide this information to film industry organizations sponsoring Presenter events at its discretion.

H. Artis—Naples is an independent, not-for-profit organization, supported by individual and corporate contributions. It is understood and mutually agreed upon that: Artis—Naples may secure local underwriting for the Festival and the sponsor acknowledgment may include program credit, underwriter's name imprinted on each ticket and a pre-performance announcement.

I. Artis—Naples reserves the right to secure sponsorship for screenings or activities during the Festival without approval of filmmaker.

J. The Filmmaker acknowledges that no oral representations of any kind have been made by the Presenter.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • DUELERS FILM

    Naples International Film Festival is a world class event. It should be a Top 10 U.S. film festival - easily. NIFF is over 15 years running, but since the Artis-Naples organization took over just 3-4 years ago it truly has the leadership, funding, and infrastructure to rival any film fest. It was an honor to premiere our feature film DUELERS here. The other filmmakers were some of the most talented and sincere people we’ve ever met. Festival organizers were total legends and go all out to accommodate (spoil!) their filmmakers in attendance. This festival will very quickly become a favorite of the film world as more and more producers, actors, and directors attend. I overheard someone call the Artis-Naples facility: “Lincoln Center with palm trees.” The Naples community is overwhelmingly supportive and appreciative. All events had the perfect balance of sophistication and inclusivity - not pretentious in the least, but sincere and welcoming. Matthew Modine seemed happily and comfortably in his element on opening night and it was obvious that *any* TV or film star would feel the same. Obviously, we cannot say enough good things. A+

    November 2023
  • Great and friendly communication. I was honoured to have my short animation Autumn Leaves in this festival.

    November 2023
  • Hands down full stop NIFF indulged us with the best world premiere of our debut feature film we could possibly have imagined. From the judges to the audiences to our fellow films and filmmakers, the festival was curated to embrace passionate, dynamic, original cinema. Panels, galas, philharmonic-accompanied screenings, airstream lounges, extended talkbacks, wee hour pow-wows in the fest hotel lobby... the celebration is unparalleled. Submit your film. And know you'll be considered by the most thoughtful, diligent, supportive team out there. Endless gratitude and beyond.

    April 2023
  • Diane Moore

    My short documentary was screened at the Naples International Film Festival, and I have to say that this festival is an excellent one in so many ways. They went out of their way to make me feel valued and appreciated as a filmmaker, and were thoughtful in how the films were presented. And they pulled it all together after the area was devastated by the hurricane, amazing. If you are fortunate to have your film accepted into Naples, rejoice. This festival is a gem.

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for your very kind words, Diane! Please keep making wonderful films so we can get you down here to Naples!

  • I was at NIFF with my short film, and I was amazed at how well organized the festival is. One thing that impressed me, is that even though I had a short, they treated me exactly as every feature filmmaker.
    Everyone from their staff was wonderful and very approachable. Even the CEO and VP were always present and knew everyone by name.
    I highly recommend this festival, and I hope I get to return soon!

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much, Gonzalo! Please let us know when you have another film for us to consider!