Fort Myers Film Festival

### 12:00 – 1:30 PM

### The Land Remembers (short) + This Is Not a Drill (feature)

The Land Remembers by James Suter (9m 5s), an inspiring look at a rewilding effort in the Maasai Mara that blends conservation, community partnership, and sustainable tourism. Through stunning imagery and thoughtful storytelling, the film highlights the delicate balance between protecting ecosystems and supporting local livelihoods.
This Is Not a Drill by Oren Jacoby (1h 20m) takes audiences into the front lines of an environmental justice movement, where grassroots activists confront powerful oil interests. Urgent and deeply human, the film captures the stakes, sacrifices, and resilience of those fighting for a sustainable future.

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### 2:00 – 3:15 PM

### Arts Shorts Block

Resume of Regrets by Lori Hammel and Tom A. Capps (10m 42s), where a job interview spirals into a confrontation with a woman’s unfinished ambitions.
Collage by Marius Conrotto (9m 56s), in which a museum worker uses “scientific signs” of attraction to argue that two visitors are flirting.
Immersed by Philip Rice (5m), a surreal experience blending art, memory, and emotional dissociation.
Hills Like White Elephants by Tiange Xiang (5m), an adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s story where a couple’s quiet conversation reveals tension over an unspoken decision.
Bruce by Kadi Tsang and Katusha Jin (13m 26s), a widowed immigrant mother navigating grief, isolation, and cultural displacement in New York.
Dead Weight by Alexander Mitchell Hilzim (3m 2s), where a young boxer struggles to cut weight ahead of a crucial match.
She Said So by Madeline Clayton (8m), a teenage sleepover that tests friendship, boundaries, and digital-age morality.
The Chase by Samantha Curls (5m), a grocery store pursuit that escalates into an unexpected comedic showdown.
The Tree by Yuan-Hsuan Hsin (5m), where a silent witness to war records human history across generations.

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### 3:30 – 5:00 PM

### Paint Me a Road Out of Here (Feature Documentary)

Paint Me A Road Out of Here by Catherine Gund (1h 30m) – Through the lens of prison art and the voices of those impacted by the justice system, the film reveals how creativity can serve as both resistance and healing. Urgent and thought-provoking, it highlights the enduring impact of art in challenging injustice and inspiring change.

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### 5:15 – 6:15 PM

### Florida Short Docs Block

Unlikely Mermaid by Lorraine Portman (17m 45s), where two aspiring mermaids—one of them 79—journey to audition at Weeki Wachee, exploring dreams, aging, and the magic of underwater performance.
Florida Bear Tracks by KT Bryden (15m 34s) follows researchers tracking black bears across Florida, offering a fascinating look at population growth, conservation efforts, and the importance of habitat connectivity.
Swamp Buggy Fever! (26m 46s) dives into a uniquely Floridian tradition, tracing how swamp buggies evolved from practical Everglades vehicles into one of Naples’ most exciting and deeply rooted cultural events.

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### 6:30 – 8:15 PM

### Fighting for Florida (Featured Documentary)

Take a closer look at the natural beauty and fragile ecosystems that define the Sunshine State in this compelling feature documentary. Fighting For Florida by Wilson McCourtney (1h 36m) explores the environmental challenges facing Florida today and the ongoing efforts to protect its diverse landscapes.

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### 8:30 – 10:00 PM

### Love, Law, Legacy Documentary Short Highlights Florida’s Trailblazing Black Legal Pioneers (short) + SHUFFLE (feature)

Love, Law, Legacy Documentary Short Highlights Florida’s Trailblazing Black Legal Pioneers by Joseline J. Hardrick (10m), a compelling documentary highlighting Florida’s trailblazing Black legal pioneers and their lasting cultural impact. Through reflection and recognition, the film honors those who paved the way for progress within the legal system.
SHUFFLE by Benjamin Flaherty (1h 21m) takes audiences deep inside the addiction treatment industry, exposing systemic abuse and raising urgent questions about ethics, oversight, and the cost of exploitation. Investigative and unflinching, the film sheds light on a hidden crisis affecting vulnerable populations.