Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2024 Logo
Our 10th anniversary event is happening Thursday, April 17, 2025! BE BOLD, BE CREATIVE, BE READY!

About

In 2013 a group of citizens of Bonita Springs decided to organize a film festival designed to promote, not only film making in our area, but to raise awareness to the natural assets our City has to offer to its residents, and to visitors from all over the world. And so, the 1st Bonita Springs Film Festival was born, to promote and bring people to discover the beautiful Bonita Nature Place, on Kent Road. We invited filmmakers of all ages and expertise to go to the Bonita Nature Place and shoot a G-rated film between 5 and 15 minutes, throughout 2014.

Entries were screened to meet technical and general guidelines’ requirements as per our rules and regulations. We were expecting 5 or 6 films…we got 20. And so in November of 2014 we hosted a Red-Carpet Gala at the Prado Stadium 12 Theaters in Bonita Springs, which showcased the winning entries. It was a tremendous success, not just because we increased the walking traffic at the Bonita Nature Place 10-fold, but we also packed the Prado Stadium-12 theater with a full house of contestants, families and friends excited with the event. In fact, it was such a tremendous success that, at the request of the 200 plus people who filled the the theater, the support of our amazing community, and the excitement it generated, the small but valiant group of volunteers decided to give continuity to the project. We turned the Festival into an official short film festival, and established that the festival’s mission would be not only to showcase the beautiful in the City of Bonita Springs, but also to foster environmental education. This year the theme is “GOOD DEEDS”. We are asking film makers to use their imagination and tell a story about how good deeds, no matter how small, can make such a positive difference in the lives of every and each one of us.

Lady presenting Bonita Springs Short Film Festival awards on a table
One of the many Bonita Springs Short Film Festival films on a large movie theater screen

Through the magic of film making, storytelling, and the invaluable spirit of community awareness our City is famous for, the Bonita Springs Short Film Festival encourages film makers of all ages and levels of skill to explore our city’s wonders, and create beautiful film postcards for the whole world to see.

And, as always, the Festival’s organization offers the tools, the know-how, and the one-on-one support everyone needs to make film magic. And year after year, the festival fills our community with joy, excitement, and an unparalleled pride which permeates throughout our community.

Antonio Correia

Bonita Springs Film Festival Director

Themes

The 2024 Bonita Springs Short Film Festival’s theme is LAUGH OUT LOUD BONITA.

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2023 theme "Good Deeds"
2023

Good Deeds

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2022 theme "Eat, Live, Play Bonita"
2022

Eat, Live, Play Bonita

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2019 theme "Secrets of Bonita"
2019

Secrets of Bonita

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2018 theme "Bonita Loves"
2018

Bonita Loves

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2017 theme "Historic Bonita"
2017

Historic Bonita

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2016 theme "Bonita Beach"
2016

Bonita Beach

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2015 theme "The Imperial River"
2015

The Imperial River

Bonita Springs Short Film Festival 2014 theme "The Bonita Nature Place"
2014

The Bonita Nature Place

 Learn About Our Sponsors

Bonita Video LLC Logo

Bonita Video LLC is an award winning production team which has been shooting and editing video and film for over 25 years. We are a local Multimedia Production Company based in beautiful Bonita Springs, Florida, the center of the universe, providing one-on-one, in-person attention to all our clients.

We provide production solutions to all your video demands, from real estate tours, to open house presentations, from promos, PSAs, commercials, to music videos, to short and long format documentaries, to weddings, special ceremonies, family video albums, sports, indoor, outdoor, you name it, we do it. We are a one-stop shop for all your multimedia needs.

And do you remember VHS? 8mm? Super 8? 4-track? Cassettes? Micro-cassettes? 3/4″ tapes? Precious memories recorded on those formats like that are always worth the effort to restore them and bring them back to life. We can transfer your media storage from the XXth analog century to the XXIth digital century.

We also provide installation consulting and work with the top video and audio installation companies in Florida to provide you with state-of-the-art facilities, for your home and business.
Bonita Video is a proud partner of The Bonita Springs Short Film Festival. We salute all the contestants, organizing committee, and sponsors working diligently on this exciting event, and we are looking forward to see the stories brought to the screen.

Bonita Video, Life in a heart bit

TLC Marketing & Creative Services Inc. Logo

TLC Marketing & Creative Services, Inc, is a boutique marketing, public relations and event planning firm dedicated to helping businesses grow and enhance their companies through smartly placed messages, audience-growing events, and well-honed networking strategies certain to create a buzz.

We believe that communication is the key to a successful client relationship. Prior to starting work, TLC takes time to listen to your business needs. Together, we’ll discuss and explore your goals and objectives.

TLC believes that strong businesses grow strong communities, which, in turn, grow strong businesses. Let TLC help you define your role in the community and ensure you have the visibility you need to make it flourish!

From opening your door to creating your business buzz to planning your events, TLC Marketing & Creative Services proudly takes care of clients full circle.

Owner Trish Leonard, believes in the power of relationships, and she’s spent 25 years building a professional network in Southwest Florida that she can tap on behalf of her clients. “It’s the relationships you build over the years that are the most important thing in business.” Trish gives back to the community by serving on several Southwest Florida boards and not-for-profit organizations.

City of Bonita Springs Logo

Thank you for the support!

Prado Stadium 12 Logo

Prado Stadium 12 is proud to sponsor the Bonita Springs Short Film Festival Competition

Prado Stadium 12 is more than a state of the art movie theater with Sony 4K projectors in all our theaters, and amazing dolby surround audio system. We are also a place where you can relax, enjoy hang out with your family and friends. Prado Stadium 12 is Bonita Springs only state of the Art VIP seating luxury movie theater. Our complex features reserved seating, electronic recliners, and personal concierge service.

Outdoors you are welcomed to comfortable seating around our beautiful fire and water fountain before or after watching your movie. We have over 50 brands of beer and a full liquor bar. Our restaurant offers a wonderful dining experience from gourmet cheese platters, to flat bread pizzas, to awesome unique cheeseburgers, and of course we also offer a special kids menu.

We are very honored to be a sponsor and a host of the annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival featuring our beautiful City. We look forward to see you at the Gala.

Henderson Franklin Attorneys At Law Logo

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys and staff dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients build their homes, businesses and communities in Southwest Florida. 

More than one-third of the firm’s attorneys are Florida Bar Board Certified experts in diverse areas of law including: business litigation, civil trial, divorce, marital and family law, immigration, labor & employment, real estate, taxation and wills, trusts & estates. Over forty of its attorneys have achieved an AV-rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence. For three consecutive years, Henderson Franklin has been named “Best Large Law Firm” in the Gulfshore Business’ Best of Business awards (2013-2015).

Henderson Franklin’s attorneys work closely with their clients to resolve legal challenges and develop relationships built on trust. Whether in the courtroom or the boardroom, a vast depth of experience sets the firm apart so clients can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with professional, experienced representation and exceptional client service. 

FineMark National Bank & Trust Logo

Thank you for your contribution!

Heaven Scent Flowers and Boutique Logo
We are proud to say that we are Bonita’s oldest family-owned florist, opening in 1985. We have been voted “Bonita’s Best Florist” for the past 19 years, are in the Top 1000 Teleflora Florists and were named the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year. We carry only the highest quality flowers & gifts, confirmed by our many satisfied customers. Our professional design, consultation staff and delivery team is dedicated to conveying your heartfelt emotion to every occasion through our beautiful designs. Come ’round the roundabout downtown Bonita, and explore our new gift boutique and tuxedo shop and enjoy an ice cream in For Heaven Shakes!
Bonita Springs Historical Society Logo

The Bonita Springs Historical Society prides itself in “Telling The Stories” of Bonita Springs History. A visit to either one of our historic homes will delight anyone of any age. Things fade away but stories remain for centuries. The rich cultural historical is passed on to generation after generation through the story telling of the guides taking guests on one of our many tours.

We are always looking for new members to join us in our quest to keep history alive and meaningful.

When Bonita Springs was Survey and Imperial River was Survey Creek life was interesting and exciting. Many things have changed but some have not. By appreciating and recalling how we began it becomes sheer pleasure to keep the stories and history alive for those who follow us.

Bonita Print Shop Logo

Thank you for the support!

Bonita Print Shop Logo

Thank you for the support!

Bonita Print Shop Logo

Thank you for the support!

Photo of 2017 Film Festival Community Supporting Cast

The BONITA SPRINGS ANNUAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is brought to you by your

Community Supporting Cast

  • Mark Clement
  • Antonio Correia
  • Sean Gibbons
  • Mary Hamner
  • Erik Krefeld
  • Mike Krise
  • Trish Leonard
  • Connie McIntosh
  • Stephen McIntosh
  • Janeen Paulauskis
  • Gary Price
  • Michelle Wilk

Prizes for 2024

The organization of the festival reserves the right to add awards for merit in film making.

The Henderson Franklin Grand Prize – Best Overall Film

This award showcases the best of Bonita Springs and rewards creativity as well as execution. This is the highest award at the show, as voted by our trusted judges.

TLC Marketing and Creative Services Award

Best depiction of Bonita Springs (must include significant portion of Bonita Springs).

Bonita Print Shop Award

The Bonita Print Shop Award is given to the filmmaker that uniquely used their interpretation of the theme and developed a short film around it.

Kathy McGrath Award

For all of our young filmmakers, this award is given to the best Producer Under 18 Years of Age that have showcased immense understanding of the filmmaking process. This spotlights our up and comers who are dedicated to bringing amazing ideas to life on the silver screen.

Bonita Springs Historic Society Best Documentary Award

Awarded to the best non-fiction film that is created in a short-length documentary style.

Prado Stadium 12 Theaters Award

Voted by YOU, the audience that attends the gala in-person! Audience members will be able to vote for People’s Choice and show some love to their favorite film of the evening.