—Start your mornings right at the festival with a fresh cup of Bennett's Fresh Roast coffee, official coffee sponsor of the Fort Myers Film Festival. http://www.bennettsfreshroast.com/ Hit up the afterparty at Space 39 where drinks are two for one until close for FMff guests

—Sponsored by the Edison Restaurant in Fort Myers. Experience the Edison Restaurant—where good friends make great neighbors. http://www.edisonfl.com/  Edison may have never eaten there but he probably wished he had. Get your pre-TGIM party on there with burgers for a buck!

—Join the afterparties at Space 39, where art meets fun for 2-for-1 drinks for all attending Monday nights with host Eric Raddatz.

—Pick up a Florida Weekly, your source for independent news. In the know, in the now. 

—Stop by the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center every day of the week. It's the coolest building in town.

— For your independet talent and modeling needs contact Southwest Florida Model & Talent today.

—Stop by Cape Coral's only luxury resort, The Resort at MarinaVillage, and dine with us at Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro or outside at The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill - all with amazing views of the Caloosahatchee River, The Gulf of Mexico and Tarpon Point Marina!

— Brought to you by UNIT A — the newest and largest contemporary art space of it's kind in Southwest Florida. With over 7000sqft. in it's brick industrial loft style setting, the Unit permanently houses internationally renown painter and resident, Marcus Jansen's private collection as well as a separate art space for exhibitions and private event function bookings. The Unit's mission is to create a stronger dialogue in the visual arts locally and internationally. Unit A, invites Institutions, Universities and business's for art tours throughout the year. Unit A will be opening once a month during the Fort Myers Art Walk and is open during the month on appointment only. It is located in downtown on 1922 Evans ave. Unit A, in Fort Myers FL 33901. The Grand opening will take place Friday, March 2. Join here

— With special thanks to the dear law offices of J. Patrick Buckley III

— Students of Lee County Schools can win prizes to the 2012-13 Fort Myers Film Festival including tickets, prize money, scholarship class to Rasmussen College and recognition at our opening night gala. The Fort Myers Film Festival supports local. Students can submit your films through Jan. 31 with waived fees.

— Buy tickets now for someone special, or yourself, to Fort Myers Film Festival's 2nd Annual Black Tie Red Carpet Opening Night Grand Gala at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. VIP Tickets are $129, General Admission are $29 and Students $14.50, code 'student'

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*Indie films are unrated, parents strongly cautioned

Indie, or independent film, is film that is produced mostly outside of a major film studio. The term also refers to art films which differ noticeably from most mass marketed films. Which means you will find interesting creations shot here, and internationally, with ideas you may never have thought of or considered before. Some address issues you may never have heard of. Others will provoke thoughtful contemplation on points of view you have currently no idea of. The Fort Myers Film Festival is an intelligent independent filmmaker's preferred event to create, unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works. The inaugural event is a must attend for filmmakers living in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

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In 2011 over two dozen local filmmakers shared the spotlight with independent films playing in the inaugural Fort Myers Film Festival that spanned the globe with selections from as far as Sierra Leone, Ireland, Poland, Japan and Sweden. “We all need to support local film, local business and local filmmakers in today’s economy. Knowing our area has something viable to offer in the realms of moviemaking will contribute towards economic growth and stability.” Eric Raddatz, founder of the festival said. “I am so thankful to all of the support we have received from the city and county as well as the local businesses. We need to come together in these difficult economic times and show the world we have something strong to offer here in Southwest Florida.” The Fort Myers Film Festival will be held March 2012 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and the Alliance for the Arts. The Fort Myers Film Festival is an intelligent independent filmmaker's preferred event to create, unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works. The 2nd year event is a must attend for filmmakers living in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

Come join an edgy, professional crowd with a fine appreciation for the art of film in the quaint and newly refurbished downtown area, also known as the River District. Along with feature, documentary and shorts divisions, special categories spanning faith, diversity and strictly local will enrich the festival with vibrant intellectualism.

Mix, mingle, grab a drink & intellectualize with local film host and curator Eric Raddatz during live independent film screenings every Monday night at at 6:30 p.m. for happy hour with show starting at 7 p.m. through March 2012 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, where you will get a chance to interact with celebrity judges, local filmmakers, artists, musicians and comedians. Get a transparent view of how we judge films in consideration for the Fort Myers Film Festival and other local films, with special celebrity judges — then stay for the fun and join in public discussions after. Special guests, musical acts and interviews will be announced prior to each Monday night. Admission $5 or only $2 for Founding Fans (Bracelet required)

TGIM EVERY MONDAYSTARTS JULY 2012
“I am honored to have such support from the city of Fort Myers and many art and business moguls in the community,” Eric Raddatz, the founder and Executive Director offered respectfully. “Watching artistic visions come to fruition proves my greatest and most sincerest satisfaction to the ultimate benefit of the artistic community in which we live. Cineasts, filmmakers and all who appreciate the art of film will be happy to know we have an outlet for the creation, promulgation and public consideration of international and locally produced pieces.”

Eric has been an active an active player in the Southwest Florida arts community for many years, birthing the Naples International Film Festival and serving as Executive Director its inaugural year in 2009. The festival featured award-winning international films, including The Cove, which afterwards went on to win an Oscar. The festival earned awards from local media as 'best festival in town,' unifying the artistic film community and securing itself as a must festival to watch and attend.

A block or two from Thomas Edison's home, the Fort Myers Film Festival is surrounded by some of the frequently-voted best beaches in the world including Captiva, Sanibel, Fort Myers and Boca Grande in the downtown district that went from a frontier cow outpost to a bustling town in the early 1900s. Now a modern day, recently restored artistic city nestled with a community of cineasts who, alongside community leaders and local filmmakers, support the Fort Myers Film Festival with inspirational awe and keen appreciation, excited to enjoy world-rated culinary dining, festive afterparties, galas and award-ceremonies. Our event will be held at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, located in the historic federal building in downtown Fort Myers, which not only embodies art in our community, but the triumph of artistic creativity in the art of film. Join us this season for the excitement.