The Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) is proud to announce The COVE, the feature film for the Naples International Film Festival in 2009, was awarded the Critic’s Choice Movie Award for best documentary.

Upon accepting the Critic’s Choice Award, Director, Louie Psihoyos said, “We are trying, with this film, to give the oceans a voice.” The documentary reveals the shocking secret about a practice in a lagoon off the coast of Japan with a gripping action-adventure style combined with a universal call for help from the world’s oceans.

In addition, The COVE Producers, Paula Pesmen and Fisher Stevens won the Producers Guild of America 2010 PGA Producer of the Year Award in Documentary.

The mission of the Naples International Film Festival (NIFF) is to nurture and support a diverse, artistic and cultural experience with a creative, fun and cutting edge boutique film festival that showcases the work of independent filmmakers. NIFF will improve the shoulder-season economics for Naples and benefit the community at large by contributing to film education in Collier and Lee County Schools and by collaborating with other local artists and arts organizations.

NIFF was created by a group of visionary individuals wishing to invoke excitement and involvement in the arts for those who reside in, and visit the Naples area. NIFF will showcase the finest and most creative cinematic works in the world, while at the same time support, organize and provide an outlet for local filmmakers and film lovers in Southwest Florida.