On March 19, the Fort Myer Film Festival returns for its fourth annual gala and fete. Whether you’re a serious indie cineaste or just mildly curious, this 5-day film frenzy affords a unique opportunity to meet ascendant filmmakers, aspiring actors and actresses and hundreds of passionately-engaged film fans in a small town atmosphere that boasts temperate climes, sun-kissed palms and more historic buildings than you’ll find in one place just about anywhere else outside of London, New York or, say, Telluride or Park City.
It all starts at the black-tie gala that takes place at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, where fans will have the opportunity to join the filmmakers, directors, actors and actresses on the red carpet as they venture inside for drinks, the buzz and musical entertainment prior to the screening of the night’s featured movie, Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory, a film about music therapy with Alzheimer’s patients that garnered the Sundance Film Festival award for U.S. documentaries just last month. And fans who opt for the VIP experience go backstage after the film has run for a glamorous after-party that features music, dancing and a lively exchange with the makers and stars of the evening’s film, not to mention dozens of incredibly-engaged fans and fellow attendees, with food being provided by some of Southwest Florida’s finest restaurants.
The opening night FMff gala and after-party are where ideas get tested, trends are set, and fast friends are made among adventurous, savvy film lovers and heady filmmaking talent alike. So whether you fashion yourself an indie cineaste or just someone who’s up for something different or new, the Fort Myers Film Festival opening night gala is the place to be and be seen.
And by the way, media and the paparazzi will be on hand, so dress to the nines. (To view a short video of last year’s event, please visit http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150579767950565. To buy tickets, please visit www.bbmannpah.com/.)
Doors open at 5:00. After a warm welcome from the night’s hosts Stephanie Davis, Chad Oliver and Mayor Randy Henderson, the movie starts at 7 p.m.
The 4th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival takes place March 19-23, 2014 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Lee County Alliance at the Arts and theBroadway Palm Dinner Theatre, with parties and dinners taking place in such select and magical venues as Twisted Vine Bistro, Ford’s Garage, The Firestone and Bennett’s Fresh Roast. To buy tickets, please visit www.bbmannpah.com/. Tickets for the gala are just $19, or $99 for the VIP experience, with film sessions costing just $6 throughout the rest of the festival. For more information, please visithttp://www.facebook.com/events/269050286459230.
