NIFF returns to Artis—Naples and Mercato’s Silverspot Cinema Thursday through Sunday with a selection of poignant films with subjects running the gamut from autism to art. More than 25 flicks long and short will be packed into the four-day event, so we asked festival leaders which to focus on if you were forced to narrow it down. Here’s what you need to know:
Last Man on the Moon (United Kingdom, 2015); Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., Artis—Naples
The opening-night film catches up with Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan 40 years after his ambitious trek into space. The visually and emotionally captivating biography will delve deep into Cernan’s struggles with fame and privilege and show rare archive material.
Racing Extinction (USA, 2015); Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 4:15 p.m., Silverspot Cinema
The Florida premiere of the documentary, which follows artists and activists in their undercover quest to expose the “hidden world” of endangered species, is the latest from the Oscar-winning director of 2009’s dolphin-centric The Cove. The Cove opened the inaugural NIFF before its Academy Award.
Code: Debugging the Gender Gap (USA, 2015); Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 1:15 p.m., Silverspot Cinema
Another Florida premiere, Code is a documentary displaying the shortage of American female and minority software engineers—and the reasons behind it. Director Robin Hauser Reynolds won NIFF’s 2013 Neapolitan Award for her documentary about a decorated California cross country coach with ALS, Running for Jim.
Frank and Cindy (USA, 2015); Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 3:45 p.m., Silverspot Cinema
What started as somewhat of a joke documentary by a green filmmaker meant to embarrass his one-hit-wonder stepfather, Frank, evolved into a stark examination of family dynamics. The filmmaker’s narrative adaptation features Rene Russo, Oliver Platt and other familiar Hollywood faces.
A Light Beneath Their Feet (USA, 2015); Nov. 6 at 7:45 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m., Silverspot Cinema
A 2011 NIFF audience favorite, Losing Control director Valerie Weiss, is back with this sharp and stirring drama. Viewers will see a high school senior struggle with whether to pursue her dreams of going to college or stay home for the sake of her mother, who is bipolar.
Other highlights:
Nov. 5 Opening-night party, 6 p.m. at Artis—Naples
Nov. 6-8 Panel discussions, Silverspot Cinema
Nov. 7 Saturday night party, 9:30 p.m. at restaurant ROW
Nov. 8 Closing-night film (King Georges, USA) and wrap party, Artis—Naples
Get tickets and a full lineup: naplesfilmfest.com
