Fort Myers Film Festival to Show 89 Films in Five Days

FORT MYERS, FLA., April 2, 2019 – Film lovers will have plenty of films to choose from when The Fort Myers Film Festival shows 89 films over five days April 10-14 in eight locations in Fort Myers.
Tickets are $10 per film or $295 for an all-access VIP membership for all events and parties.  The opening night red carpet gala at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is $25 per person or $150 including the after-party and jazz concert by Leroy Jones, solo trumpeter for the Harry Connick, Jr. band and namesake of the evening’s film “A Man and His Trumpet: The Leroy Jones Story.”  Tickets may be purchased at http://fortmyersfilmfestival.ticketleap.com/
“Planning the festival can be tough, I know that nobody will be able to see them all. Often I’m asked to give a few picks or top ten of those not to miss. I’m reluctant to do this because often a film that is best suited for you might not be as exciting to me. Having said that, here are 10 that are getting buzz right now,” said Eric Raddatz, Fort Myers Film Festival founder.
“I’d encourage you to see all of them. Oh, and I cheated a little as the last one is a shorts block. You actually get six films in that block. While we’re on it if in doubt, I really suggest going to shorts blocks because you get more bang for your buck and you will see some really wonderful films all curated together for your enjoyment,” Raddatz said.
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Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m. at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
A Man and His Trumpet: The Leroy Jones Story
Directed by Cameron Washington
85 minutes
In a city full of brilliant musicians, Leroy Jones, trumpet virtuoso and consummate New Orleanian, is a musician’s musician. Follow Jones’ life journey as he grew up playing on the streets of the Saint Bernard Projects, quickly establishing himself as one of NOLA’s most sought after trumpeters, founding the legendary Fairview Baptist Brass Band and Hurricane Brass Band which lead to the revival of the brass band scene in New Orleans. Leroy Jones eventually catches the ear of Harry Connick Jr. and ends up becoming Connick’s solo trumpeter, touring and recording with the Harry Connick Big Band for over 20 years. A decade after the storm that nearly destroyed his beloved city, Jones is navigating life as both a world renowned musician and a citizen amidst a rapidly changing New Orleans.  Documentaries *Attending Leroy Jones and Cameron Washington. Documentaries. *Team attending
From Eric: “This year we’re opening with this doc for several reasons. First off is I love Leroy Jones. Secondly everyone who comes to this film will as well. I remember seeing him play with Harry Connick Jr. back in the early 90s in Chicago during his rise to fame with the soundtrack to “When Harry Met Sally.” I loved him back then. I’ve since met him and when I saw he was putting a doc out I invited him to play it here in Fort Myers. As far as an opening night film that explores just how musical greatness is formed and matures in New Orleans,  where we can enjoy a concert from the star of the show afterwards gives me early goosebumps. A feel good jazz doc red carpet VIP rollout will make this the best party SWFL will see all year.”
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Thursday, April 11, 9 a.m., at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Marcos Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
Directed by David Sutherland
112 minutes
David Sutherland’s Marcos Doesn’t Live Here Anymore examines the U.S. immigration system with the help of two unforgettable protagonists, demonstrating the human cost of deportation. Elizabeth Perez, a decorated U.S. Marine veteran living in Cleveland, fights to reunite her family after her husband, Marcos, is deported. Meanwhile, Marcos is alone in Mexico, working as a soccer referee, struggling with depression, and fighting the urge to cross the border illegally to see his family. Documentaries * Team Attending
From Eric: “Wherever we stand politically we need to address and give voice to how political decisions reverberate into all of our lives, some for good and some for bad. In this doc that will air on PBS nationally later this month, we encounter a  U.S. Marine veteran living in Cleveland fighting to reunite her family after her undocumented husband, Marcos, gets deported. Yeah we have the kids crying and it is painful, but we see how the checks and balances in our system leave our nation. It’s moving and telling and a must watch here, or on PBS when it comes out. You may be surprised at the ending.”
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Thursday, April 11, 5:30 p.m. at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin
Directed. by Arwen Curry
69 minutes
Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin is a feature documentary that explores the remarkable life and legacy of the science fiction and fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin, who passed away in 2018. Produced with Le Guin’s participation over the course of a decade, the film is a journey through the writer’s inimitable career and her worlds, both real and fantastic. Featuring David Mitchell, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, and more. science fiction, feminism, women, writing, arts, fantasy,
From Eric: “Ursula K. Le Guin was brilliant but a really, really different person than most and truly unique as a female science fiction writer in the 60s. The documentary follows her for years exploring the reasons for her being who she was. She was true to being her, even when it seemed weird. Whether some consider her a forerunner to modern feminism while exploring new approaches to sexuality, gender fluidity and equality or just a great writer the doc will let you decide.”
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Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m., Alliance for the Arts

Eliades Ochoa From Cuba To The World
Directed by Cynthia Biestek, Ruben Gomez
100 minutes
Poor country musician playing on the streets of Eastern Cuba and striving to meet the challenge of spreading his beloved traditional music around the world and finds success as a original member of the famous Buena Vista Social Club. Documentaries. *Team attending
From Eric: “ If you are a Buena Vista Social Club fan or not this documentary tackles what it like to be true to your style of original music. Most musicians see the need to be original but Eliades Ochoa, the founder of the group, gives us a unique story on what it is like to be you as a legendary musician.”
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Thursday, April 11, 8 p.m., Edison-Ford Winter Estates lawn
The Great Train Robbery
Directed by Raymond Knudsen at Edison studios in 1903
12 minutes
Silent film The Great Train Robbery, set to a live musical accompaniment for this special screening, is a 1903 American silent short Western film written, produced, and directed by Edwin S. Porter, a former Edison Studios cameraman. Actors in the movie included Alfred C. Abadie, Broncho Billy Anderson and Justus D. Barnes, although there were no credits. Shorts
From Eric: “When Edison set out to accomplish all he did he was remarkably — just himself. He pioneered filmmaking and as an inventor what he accomplished should inspire us all. The tradition continues his name at the home he lived at here in Fort Myers and we’re honored to do a special screening of The Great Train Robbery with a full live piano accompaniment outdoors on the grass lawn in his backyard overlooking the great Caloosahatchee river.”
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Friday, April 12, 6 p.m., at IMAG
Fly Like a Girl
Directed by Katie McEntire Wiatt
84 minutes
Fly Like A Girl is more than just a film. It’s a movement of young girls and women relentlessly pursuing their passion for aviation, a field currently dominated by men. Hearing first-hand stories from girls and women who dared to aim higher. From a lego-loving young girl who includes female pilots in her toy airplanes, to a courageous woman who helped lead shuttle missions to space, Fly Like A Girl shows us that women are in charge of their own destiny. Documentaries. *Team attending
From Eric: “So why are there so few female pilots? Whatever the answer this documentary explores those today who are female and flying high and young girls who are inspired to change the statistics. Some may say films like this help empower women, but the power is already there and we are seeing strength in films like this to encourage girls to fly but all of us to take on our dreams and ambitions.”
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Friday, April 12, 6:15  p.m. at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story
Directed by Jon Strong
87 minutes
When racial segregation defined America, two teams of 12-year-old boys defied social norms to change the world. Documentaries *Team Attending * Southwest Florida Historical Society president Glenn Miller will introduce the film. Documentaries. *Team attending
From Eric: “When it comes to racism and baseball this amazing doc proves one thing—they were not really ever to go hand in hand. We follow the lives of folks who played the first interracial little league game in Florida in the 1950s. The humanity of the sport proved greater than the racism so prevalent, proving we are really just alike when we are playing our nation’s greatest sport. It’s important to just be ourselves, that is good enough.”
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Saturday, April 13, at 4:30 p.m. at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Black, White & US
Directed by Loki Mulholland
75 minutes
“Black, White & US” explores racism in America like it has never been seen before through the lives of four white families in Utah who adopt African American children and overcome their own inherent biases to become advocates. From the award-winning filmmaker of “An Ordinary Hero” and “The Uncomfortable Truth”, Loki Mulholland reveals the challenges faced by the parents, children and our society while exposing the darker side of those adoption agencies who profit from it. Is there a way to fix our country’s racial divide? These transracial adoptive families just might provide the answer. Documentaries * Team Attending
From Eric: “How much do you think you understand racism today? Loki Mulholland follows white parents who adopt black children and finds out some things you might never have though of.  A brilliant approach to what this cost is of being ourselves in today’s society, and how much we really are alike.”
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Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m., at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Surviving Lunch
Directed by KT Curran
74 minutes
A beautiful teenage girl named Gabriella moves to Florida after a violent event tears her life apart. As Gabriella struggles to overcome her grief, she sees a boy being bullied in the lunchroom and begins a dangerous quest to stop the meanest boy in school. Feature *Team Attending
From Eric: “There are rare times where astounding films come around at the right time. ‘Surviving Lunch’ does just that in a time where bullying and school violence have become the norm. With a look at environments like Parkland our story takes place in a time where we can’t help but to think, discuss and react to the safety of our children today. The movie is brilliant.”
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Saturday, April 13, 6 p.m. at at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
RAD SHORTS OFFICIAL SELECTIONS OF FMFF
Roaring Tides
Dir. by Aly Mang
10 minutes
A twisted love-story that dives into the deeper understanding of what we all go through as humans and couples in this lifetime. The film explores love, loss, and the heartache of human existence – the confusion and power struggles we go through, while ultimately discovering our truth and purpose. Drama, Romance
* Team Attending
Coach
Dir. by Jordan Axelrod, Matthew Ellison
25 minutes
Coach follows Tracy Hamm as she seeks to become the first American woman to earn her UEFA A license, the highest international accreditation for coaches.
Shorts * Team Attending
Ready
Dir. by Melissa Farman
13 minutes
A reclusive mother and her young son celebrate the end of their relationship before she releases him into the world. Shorts
Cherry
Dir. by Chantal Gabriel
13 minutes
A creative, introverted girl is torn between her imaginary world and the real one. Shorts
Skindiving
Dir. by Victoria DeMartin
19 minutes
An observation of a woman caught between her old life and her new one as she goes about her daily routine leading up to her last night on the island. Shorts * Team Attending
I’m Taking You Home
Dir. by Jim De Koch
6 minutes
Through a series of flashbacks, singer songwriter filmmaker Jim De Koch recounts key moments that would shape the destiny of his mother’s life. Shorts * Team Attending
From Eric: “Ok I picked the tenth one and it is actually six films but it is important to remember that sometimes the best picks are the short blocks. You simply get more film for your buck and each is tenderly curated for your pleasure. This particular block as almost all of the filmmakers attending. I found each of these films so moving I’m thinking if you had to pick only one short block it has to be this one.”
 
About the Fort Myers Film Festival
The Fort Myers Film Festival is an independent filmmaker’s preferred event to create, unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works.   The Fort Myers Film Festival was awarded the prestigious 2015 Chrysalis Award for Cultural Achievement by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce at their annual Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show.  The Fort Myers Film Festival was founded by Eric Raddatz, the award-winning presentation editor of Florida Weekly, regular contributor for NBC-2 in Fort Myers, and host of Fort Myers Film Festival’s indie film show, “T.G.I.M.”