North Naples hosts first-ever motor film festival

A first-of-its-kind motor film festival is on its way to North Naples starting Friday.

The two-day festival, hosted at the Paragon Pavilion Theater and presented by Naples Cinematheque, will showcase a curated lineup of the best motorsport-themed films from around the globe. Showings begin Friday, February 6 and end Saturday, February 7.

David Garonzik, founder and owner of the Naples Cinemathque, has previously hosted film festivals with Paragon Theatres, including the first-ever Caribbean Film Festival in Naples.

He describes his film events as "the heartbeat of the community," and with support from local organizations, it's hard to disagree.

"The car clubs have been terrific, and I think it will do well for a first-time festival," said Garonzik. "The car clubs have been really great. The BMW club and the Porsche clubs, and they have been great at helping me get the word out."

Garonzik says directors from three of the featured films will be in attendance during the showings.

Co-Directors Luke Keibler and Kory Pitkavish say they are excited for the chance to showcase their film in Naples. Their film, 24: Survive to Drive, will be showcased during the Friday night double feature.

The documentary follows Evan Butka and the 'Donut Pass Me' crew as they embark on a full 24-hour race of lemon cars.

"We didn't know what was going to happen," said Pitkavish. "It's a race, and part of the understood fact of these races is you're racing beater cars that don't have thousands and millions of dollars put into them, so odds are they will break, and we witnessed a lot of cars break, and we didn't even know if our car was going to finish."

"The initial plan was, we just wanna finish a true 24, because that in and of itself is the accomplishment," said Pitkavish.

This is the fourth festival in which the duo will showcase their documentary, but the magic of sharing their work never goes away.

"Nothing beats seeing it in a theater. The lights come down, and everyone is there to watch it. It's on a large screen, and it's just so fun to witness something you made in such a hallowed space," said Keibler. "This space is specifically here to consume movies, consume art, you shut off your phone, the lights go down, your entire focus should be on just this image and what the filmmaker made for you, that's what I love about the theatrical experience."

Keibler and Pitkavish will host a question-and-answer session after the screening.

"I want [viewers] to walk away feeling like they were a part of the Donut Pass Me crew, and have felt like they got to experience being part of the 24 hours of lemons," said Pitkavish.

While the festival isn't affiliated with the event, the second day of the festival runs the same day as the annual Cars on 5th Gathering in Naples.

All screenings will take place at the Paragon Pavilion Theater located at 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples.

"I hope it's a success. I hope people come out for it because they're all phenomenal films," said Garonzik. "Everybody complains that they don't make enough good movies. Well, man, I'm showing them!"

Tickets for the festival are on sale now.  Click here to purchase.