The highly successful Intellectualization Mondays in Fort Myers with host Eric Raddatz, also known as TGIM for 'Thank God its Monday' which warmed into last season’s successful festival has started up leading into the Fort Myers Film Festivals 2012 season which will take place March 21-25, 2012. Save your Monday nights for indie film viewings. Independent film junkies craving intellectual satisfaction will have an outlet for their addictions and a place to congregate. Grab a drink, watch some films and intellectualize with celebrity judges, filmmakers, artists, musicians and individuals from all over our community. Everyone is welcome. Hapy hour starts at 6 p.m. with the ONLY place for your Monday after work 2-4-1 drinks. Show starts at 7 p.m.

THIS WEEK: January 30, 2012 TGIM w/ judges with Dexter author and creator Jeff Lindsay, News-Press writer Amy Bennett Williams, photographer Keith Isaac & films in consideration for the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival with host Eric Raddatz, musical guest Princess Johnson and performances from local talent and the world premiere of the locally produced "Knife." Come get a transparent view of how we select our official programming, grab a drink and intellectualize with the indie community

COMING UP NEXT WEEK!. February 6, 2012 TGIM w/ judges Corporate Education Manager at Rasmussen College Jason Teeters, Daniel Linehan and actor Zolan Hendersor & films in consideration for the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival with host Eric Raddatz, musical guests and performances from local talent. Come get a transparent view of how we select our official programming, grab a drink and intellectualize with the indie community.

February 13, 2012 TGIM w/ local filmmaker Pat Mitchell, FGCU's Anica Sturdivant and Aida Budavica w films in consideration for the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival with host Eric Raddatz, musical guests and performances from local talent. Come get a transparent view of how we select our official programming, grab a drink and intellectualize with the indie community.

February 20, 2012 TGIM w/ judges ABC7 Morning Anchor Chad Oliver, UFTA's President Al Quinn The News-Press David Plazas & films in consideration for the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival with host Eric Raddatz, musical guests and performances from local talent. Come get a transparent view of how we select our official programming, grab a drink and intellectualize with the indie community.

February 27, 2012 TGIM w/ judges founding board member Shawn Ayotte & films in consideration for the 2012 Fort Myers Film Festival with host Eric Raddatz, musical guests and performances from local talent. Come get a transparent view of how we select our official programming, grab a drink and intellectualize with the indie community.

—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

—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.

— Brought to you by UNIT A — coming to Downtown Fort Myers. UNIT A, is located on Evans Ave. in downtown Fort Myers Florida and has over 7000sqft industrial loft style space. It is the only Contemporary Art Museum of it’s kind in Southwest Florida. UNIT A, is a vital forum in which diverse audiences of artists, scholars, and the general public are galvanized through creative interaction with paintings, installations and rare prints by renown artist Marcus Jansen. The UNIT also offers it's space for other forms of the arts by scheduling. The UNIT is ever-changing, constantly redefining itself in relationship to contemporary life using its unique collections and dynamic interactive programming as tools. UNIT A, is the first Studio Museum committed to permanently housing Jansen’s urban expressionism works, mostly drawn from the families private collection for display. The UNIT opens up to the public once a month with a special reception and to Universities, collectors and Institutions on appointments. A Grand Opening is scheduled for March 2, 2012.

— With special thanks to THE LAW OFFICES OF J. PATRICK BUCKLEY III — A legal professional organization 

MARCH 21-25 2012 FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL

A complete guide to films playing through the summer will be made available at www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com with updates on the festival’s Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/fortmyersfilmfestival and www.twitter.com/fortmyers . Admission is $5. Doors open every Monday night at the center starting at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located in downtown Fort Myers at 2301 First Street.

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.

The Fort Myers Film Festival is dedicated to supporting local filmmakers visions in Southwest Florida. Come see movies you cannot see anywhere else alongside a talented group of hosts on a locally taped show with musical guests, celebrity hosts, comedic acts and a public way too serious about getting brainy

____________________________________

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 MONDAY
“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.