ARTIS—NAPLES ANNOUNCES
Published on October 16, 2025
Naples, FL (October 16, 2025) – Artis—Naples is pleased to announce Richard Lublin and Christine Lublin as presenting sponsors of the 17th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), taking place October 23-26, 2025. Screenings and events will be held across the Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus and at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Mercato.
“Richard and Christine’s enthusiasm and generosity continue to strengthen NIFF year after year,” said Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. “Their tremendous commitment ensures that filmmakers and audiences alike experience a festival that reflects the creativity and warmth of this community. We are deeply appreciative of their vision and steadfast support of independent cinema.”
A longtime advocate for independent filmmaking, Richard Lublin brings a unique perspective to NIFF as both a former attorney and an actor with extensive experience in television and film. His career in entertainment has deepened his understanding of the challenges independent filmmakers face in bringing their stories to the screen.
“Independent filmmakers pour their hearts into their work, often without the safety net of major studio backing,” Richard said. “Festivals like NIFF give them a platform to be seen, heard and celebrated. Christine and I are proud to be part of something that uplifts these artists and connects them with audiences who truly value their stories while giving them the exposure they deserve.”
Christine reflected on the community that has grown around the festival. “Every year, we’re amazed by the talent, passion and sincerity of the filmmakers who come to Naples,” she said. “What makes NIFF special is how accessible it feels—filmmakers and audiences mingling, sharing ideas and celebrating creativity together. It’s inspiring to be a part of, and it brings an incredible energy to the whole weekend.”
The 2025 festival opens Thursday, October 23, with Opening Night Shorts: Unexpected Outcomes, showcasing seven inventive short films participating in NIFF’s inaugural Short Film Juried Competition, screened in Hayes Hall. The festival concludes Sunday, October 26, with a presentation of The Princess Bride in Concert, featuring a live performance of Mark Knopfler’s score by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and the Naples Philharmonic.
Throughout the weekend, audiences can enjoy “Cinema Under the Stars” in Norris Garden, along with screenings of 60 films across the narrative feature, documentary feature and short film categories.
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ARTIS—NAPLES
Artis—Naples, home of The Baker Museum and Naples Philharmonic, creates and presents world-class visual and performing arts. Through our multidisciplinary offerings, we inspire, educate and entertain to engage and enrich the growing and diversifying community.
KIMBERLY K. QUERREY and LOUIS A. SIMPSON CULTURAL CAMPUS
Led by CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen and Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley, Artis—Naples offers more than 800 performing and visual arts experiences annually across its 8.5-acre Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus and throughout the community.
Artis—Naples welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for a broad array of artistic and educational opportunities perfect for audiences of all backgrounds and interests. The cultural campus is home to five buildings, including two performance halls (Frances Pew Hayes Hall and Myra J. Daniels Pavilion), The Baker Museum, the Toni Stabile Education Building and the Kohan Administration Building.
NAPLES PHILHARMONIC
The Naples Philharmonic has long been recognized as one of the cornerstones of Southwest Florida’s arts community. As part of Artis—Naples, the Naples Philharmonic performs more than 140 orchestral and chamber music concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts annually between September and June in the 1,477-seat Hayes Hall, the 283-seat Daniels Pavilion and around Southwest Florida. The Naples Philharmonic has enjoyed a history of working with world-class music directors. Following a successful inaugural season in 2024-25, Alexander Shelley commences his second season as artistic and music director in 2025-26. Renowned violinist James Ehnes continues as artistic partner through the 2025-26 season, working with Naples Philharmonic musicians in a variety of settings with a focus on inspiring and embodying a high level of artistry. Podium leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, celebrating 16 years in this role in the 2025-26 season and bringing pops performances that celebrate music across genres.
THE BAKER MUSEUM
The Baker Museum is the foremost fine art museum in Southwest Florida, presenting an ambitious slate of exhibitions annually to complement installations of works from its permanent collection. Comprising more than 3,000 objects, the museum’s broad holdings of 20th- and 21st-century art reflect particular strengths in modern art of the United States and Mexico. The Baker Museum’s collection demonstrates the generosity and commitment of area collectors, including significant gifts from the collection of the late Olga Hirshhorn.
In 2025, The Baker Museum was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition for museums in the United States, affirming the museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability and public service.
With more than two decades of collecting and exhibiting, the museum is committed to the stewardship and scholarship of its collections and to fostering inspiring and transformative experiences with the visual arts. At the same time, The Baker Museum partners with the world’s leading arts institutions to make extraordinary exhibitions accessible to the Southwest Florida community—including recently the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. In 2020, Artis—Naples celebrated the renovation and expansion of The Baker Museum and adjoining Norris Garden, designed by Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, which created new spaces for multidisciplinary exploration and social interaction.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY
In addition to creating and presenting visual and performing arts, Artis—Naples provides robust education and community activities for students of all ages in Collier and Lee counties. Each season, thousands of Collier County Public School students interact with Artis—Naples education programming,
both on our cultural campus and in their classrooms. Beyond our commitment to youth education, the Lifelong Learning program provides informative lectures and study opportunities for adults seeking to engage more deeply with the arts.
The Friends of Artis—Naples, comprised of more than 3,500 donor households, offers activities, travel experiences and events designed to foster a deeper relationship between patrons and the arts.
In 2017, Artis—Naples acquired the Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), expanding its film offerings and providing a platform for the festival’s continued excellence and growth. In 2023, the festival’s 15th anniversary year, NIFF was named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations.”