SWFL Fresh Press with Eric Raddatz

Stephanie Ruiz, a first-generation Latin American, originally from Boston, MA, has emerged as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry. Currently based in NYC, Stephanie pursued her passion for acting at the prestigious "New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts."

During her time at the Conservatory, Stephanie not only honed her acting skills but also discovered a keen interest in working behind the camera. This newfound passion led her to secure production assistant roles on popular shows such as "Run the World," "Hunters," "Blue Bloods," and "9-1-1," among others.

Stephanie's talents extend beyond acting and production assisting; she recently showcased her directorial prowess with the film "Hope You Feel Better," which garnered acclaim at the 2023 Fort Myers Film Festival. This success marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for Stephanie, as her film went on to win awards at various film festivals around the world.

In a recent triumph, Stephanie was honored with the Best Short Horror award for her directorial efforts in "Nose Goes" at prestigious film festivals, including the Santa Barbara International Movie Awards, La Indies, and the Jersey Shore Film Festival. Her outstanding achievements in directing have garnered attention and accolades, with more awards anticipated as her career continues to ascend.

Stephanie Ruiz is undoubtedly a rising star, making a significant impact both in front of and behind the camera. As she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and creativity, the industry eagerly awaits her next cinematic endeavors.

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Stephanie Ruiz, a first-generation Latin American, embarked on her journey from Boston, MA, to pursue acting at the "New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts." With a passion for both acting and directing, Stephanie has made a name for herself with award-winning films showcased at renowned film festivals worldwide.

The Fort Myers Film Festival expresses heartfelt gratitude to its sponsors for their invaluable support. Filmmakers are invited to submit their films now for consideration, and audiences are encouraged to mark their calendars for May 22-26, 2024.

Special Thanks:

The Fort Myers Film Festival appreciates the support of these sponsors, making the event possible and contributing to the celebration of independent cinema.

Mr. David Van Sleet, born in Burlington, VT, enlisted in the US Army as a Nuclear Weapons Electronics Specialist after high school. With a distinguished 30-year career at the Department of Veterans Affairs, he excelled in both clinical and administrative roles in Prosthetics. In 1998, he earned the title of VA National Prosthetic Chief of the Year, followed by the prestigious Olin E. Teague Award in 2011. The Military Order of the Purple Heart honored him in 2013 with The George Washington Medallion of Merit for exceptional support to the US military. Post-retirement, he founded and oversees the renowned Louisville Slugger Warriors, an amputee baseball team competing against able-bodied men's teams. Currently residing in Estero, FL, Mr. Van Sleet serves as the Executive Director for a film production shooting in Fort Myers.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Gulfsore Life and Happenings Magazine.


Jade DELLINGER has served ten years now as Director of Exhibitions & Collections at Florida SouthWestern State College, but is known best locally for his exhibition program and related events at FSW’s Bob Rauschenberg Gallery. Beginning his career with the Contemporary Art Museum at U.S.F./Tampa, he curated Keith Edmier’s EK/KE project (a collaborative exhibition with legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel) in 1997, and worked closely with the sculptor and new collaborator – 70’s pop icon - Farrah Fawcett on a show for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in the mid-aughts. Dellinger has organized major solo and two-person museum shows for such artists as Yoko Ono, Ann Hamilton, James Franco, Wayne White, Allan McCollum, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring and Jack Kerouac. He has written for international publications including Sculpture, Flash Art, Art Papers and Guitar Afficionado; and co-authored the book Are We Not Men? We are DEVO! (SAF Publishing Ltd., UK 2003/2008), which traces the history of the seminal 1980s New Wave band. Jade has been featured in The New York Times and has appeared with the late Apollo XII astronaut Alan Bean on the popular PBS "History Detectives" television program. Since his arrival at FSW, Jade has presented his research on “Bob Rauschenberg & The Moon Museum: Apollo XII’s Secret Art Mission” at the invitation of the U.S. Department of State at museums, galleries and universities in Tbilisi, Georgia; Caracas, Venezuela; Kyiv, Ukraine; Ljubljana, Slovenia and elsewhere...


Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Gulfsore Life  and the Hapapenings magazine, keep your media companies local.

Molly Hallam is a graduate of Dartmouth College and an independent LA-based producer. She just premiered Alice Englert’s debut feature BAD BEHAVIOUR which stars Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly and BAFTA award winner Ben Whishaw, in World Competition at the Sundance 2023 Festival followed by the Fort Myers Film Festival. Prior to her independent career she was the Head of Film and TV of award-winning global production company Iconoclast and prior to that ran the US shingle of French production company Legende Films, led by Academy Award nominated producer Alain Goldman. With Legende she Executive Produced Sundance-premiering THE MUSTANG by Laure de Clermont Tonnerre with Focus Features and worked on Netflix’s THE SPY by Gideon Raff starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Her passion is working with early-career filmmakers, under-represented voices and stories that inspire social change.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa.

S1 EP35: SWFL filmmaker Curtis Collins on his latest project shooting in Fort Myers

Curtis was born in 1969 in Selma, Alabama and raised in Wooster, Ohio. Upon graduation from Wooster High School, Curtis obtained his Associate Degree in Business Management from the University of Ohio. His passion for writing began in 1992. Through immersion into the entire creative process of filmmaking, Curtis has developed into an award winning Writer and Director. He is a proud father of four and celebrates being married to Kelley Causey for 28 years. He currently resides in Estero, Florida.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Gulfsore Life  and the Happenings Magazine.

Edouard Philipponnat is a French-Finnish Actor born in 1999. He attended a Swedish school at a young age and thereafter began studying at a school in Switzerland, Philipponnat's passion for acting began at the age of 13, when he was cast as a young squire in 'Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer's Curse'. Since then, Philipponnat has starred in several projects involving intense preparation. For his first leading role in 'The Runner', Philipponnat lost 37 pounds to play a drug addict. After appearing in Ridley Scott's 'House of Gucci', Philipponnat played The Mad Hatter in 'Lost In Wonderland,' a new live action re-imagining of 'Alice in Wonderland.' Philipponnat recently finished shooting 'Napoleon' opposite Joaquin Phoenix, re-teaming with director Ridley Scott in this film playing Tsar Alexander, the infamous rival of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Gulfsore Life  and the Marcus Jansen Foundation of SWFL.

S1 EP33: Marc Collins and Stephanie Davis talk SWFL fun, events and even give each other impromptu nicknames!

Meet them Dec. 4 at FMFF's TGIM!

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Florida Weekly— in the know and in the now,  and the Marcus Jansen Foundation of SWFL.

Patrick Nolan is certified yoga, therapist, meditation facilitator and Yoga Teacher in our community. He was born and raised in Miami and graduated from the University of Florida. He began his 30 year career as a television journalist after a year of graduate studies in Australia, thanks to a Rotary international scholarship. He served in local journalism here in SWFL for 19 years, which is how he and I met.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Florida Weekly— in the know and in the now,  and the Marcus Jansen Foundation of SWFL.

Theresa Ireland is an artist of many facets. From stage and live performance to film and television, there isn’t much Theresa hasn’t done. As an actor, producer, writer, director, dancer, choreographer, vocalist, and well-known Marilyn Monroe impressionist, Theresa has made a career for herself in the entertainment industry. Her love for arts and entertainment has been evolving the last few years, and she’s now taken on the new role of being a sound bath facilitator and meditation guide. Theresa still performs and creates, just not so much in the rat race of Hollywood anymore.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Florida Weekly— in the know and in the now,  and the Marcus Jansen Foundation of SWFL.

Managing editor Michael Braun at WGCU Public Media; Former breaking news journalist, page designer, copy editor for the News Press and Naples Daily News; Former journalist (25 years, reporter, editor, designer, columnist) at The Vindicator in Youngstown, Ohio; Lives in south Lee County, Florida; From Peoria, Illinois; Six children.  That's Brauny in a nutshell.

Michael Braun and Eric discuss the state and future of journalism and things to do around town this week including Arts on Tap with JJ Grey and Mofro at Alliance for the Arts, Festival of Trees at Sidney & Berne, Elf at Broadway Palm, Santa at the Edison Mall, Jose Feliciano at Seminole Casino and Fort Myers Film Festival’s TGIM at SBDAC.

Thanks to our sponsors the Fort Myers Film Festival, be sure to submit your film today and save the dates for May 22-26, 2024. To Hilfiker Missions, saving lives by increasing organ procurement and earlier detection of chronic diseases. Go to hilfikermissions.net,   To Riverside Reality Group It doesn’t cost more, you just get more with free home staging head to Riversidefl.com. For your business accounting needs, call Clarity Certified Public Accountants  head to clarity.cpa, with special thanks to Florida Weekly— in the know and in the now,  and the Marcus Jansen Foundation of SWFL.