BIG ARTS will serve as one of the locations for the 14th annual Fort Myers Film Festival.

Taking place on May 22-26, the weeklong event will offer film screenings, panels and more with guests from all over the world. For the first time this year, BIG ARTS will join venues around the county to host and showcase some of the featured films in the festival.

Gallery Director Wilson McCray explained that BIG ARTS has a film program — its Monday Night Film series — which he has overseen since coming on board in the summer of 2022.

“Every year, we’ve seen how the Fort Myers Film Festival becomes more and more of a cultural event,” he said, noting that festival founder and Executive Director Eric Raddatz reached out.

“When Eric asked us to participate, we were happy to join,” McCray added.

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He explained that his goal has been to expand film at BIG ARTS.

“This is one way we can do that,” McCray said. “So we’re excited to share some of these films.”

BIG ARTS will screen the following films:

– MAY 23: “FLAMENCO SEVILLA” BY JOHN BIFFAR

The film features flamenco sensation Manuel Jimenez and follows two sisters, both musicians, as they work reinventing the art and music of flamenco with Captiva musician Johnny Jensen. The feature shows how for centuries, thousands of people converge on Seville on Easter week. They celebrate faith, family and friends. Processions of the Virgin Mary crisscross the streets at all hours, orange blossoms perfume the air, delicious tapas and wine are savored in street-side cafes, and Flamenco dancers dazzle the thousands of visitors that swell this ancient city.

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– MAY 24: “FROM LAUGHTER TO LEGACY: CAPTIVA’S JENSEN FAMILY” BY KEN SNEEDEN AND THE CAPTIVA ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Jensen brothers are beloved by island residents and visitors and their Twin Palm Marina & Cottages was an island icon for 40-plus years under the family’s ownership.

– MAY 25: “WOMEN OF THE WATERSHED” BY SCOTT MICHAEL BARNETT

A young woman journeys to the source of the Everglades headwaters to better understand the historic challenges of water management and pollution that now threaten this fragile ecosystem. Along the way she will meet a new generation of advocates who are redefining the balance of women in conservation.

All films will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Christensen Performance Hall.

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McCray explained that after talking with Raddatz, Raddatz sent him a series of films to look at and select from for the three at BIG ARTS. He reported that he had previously met Biffar.

“He said he would love it if one of his films would be screened at BIG ARTS,” McCray said.

Biffar will be in attendance for the screening.

“I will introduce him for a Q&A after the film,” he said.

As for the CIHS film, it was a “perfect” pick.

“Because it’s like family,” McCray said. “Everyone on Sanibel and Captiva knows the Jensen family, and it’s such a heartwarming story.”

He continued that the third film is surprising because it outlines a lot of the conservation work being done for the Everglades and it points out the many strong women involved with that.

“It’s certainly topical and it’s certainly important,” McCray said.

The box office will open one hour before each screening.

Attendees can stroll the galleries, explore the gift shop and enjoy a drink from the bar.

Tickets are $12 per film.

“Ticket sales are going well and there’s plenty of room,” he said.

They can be purchased online and at the box office, as well as prior to each screening.

The community is encouraged to come out.

“I think it’s important to take part in the festival because it’s an important cultural event in Lee County, and now more than ever we need to join together as a community and celebrate the arts,” McCray said.

For more information or tickets, visit bigarts.org/programs/film-series.

BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

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IF YOU GO

What

14th annual Fort Myers Film Festival

When

May 23-25 at 7 p.m.

Where

BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

Details

Tickets are $15 per film