Fort Myers Film Festival – Celebrating the Art of Cinema at TIFF

Fort Myers was in the spotlight at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, using the event to showcase its own film festival.

The 17th annual Fort Myers Film Festival will be held from May 19 to May 23, 2027 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, iMAG, Alliance for the Arts, Lab Theater, Calusa Planetarium and other select venues with parties and dinners at select venues downtown.

The festival is now officially opened submissions and is inviting independent filmmakers from around the world to submit their work for one of Southwest Florida’s premier cinematic events.

Building on the success of last year’s festival, which welcomed filmmakers and audiences from across the country for five days of independent films, sold-out screenings, lively discussions, special events, and unforgettable celebrations, the 2027 festival promises to be its most exciting yet.

The festival continues to earn a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere, exceptional programming, and commitment to showcasing bold, creative storytelling.

Founded by Executive Director Eric Raddatz, the Fort Myers Film Festival has spent nearly two decades connecting filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals while highlighting both emerging talent and award-winning independent cinema.

The festival has become a cultural cornerstone for Southwest Florida and was honored with the Chrysalis Award for Cultural Achievement by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

Said Raddatz: “The enthusiasm and energy surrounding last year’s festival reminded us why independent film matters. We can’t wait to welcome filmmakers back to Fort Myers and discover another incredible lineup of stories from around the world.”

The 2027 festival will feature screenings of feature films, documentaries, short films, student films, animations, music videos, and other independent works at several premier venues.

The festival will conclude with the Fort Myers Film Festival Awards Ceremony on May 23, 2027, honoring outstanding achievements in filmmaking with awards recognizing excellence in directing, acting, cinematography, writing, editing, documentary filmmaking, animation, and more.

In the photo

Seen here, from l to r, at TIFF in Toronto are Jeanette Faria, Fort Myers Canadian Account Manager for VoX International and Andrew Ricketts Fort Myers PR Canadian Account Manager for Vox International.