“Sanibel”. PHOTO PROVIDED

BIG ARTS on Sanibel will once again take part in the annual Fort Myers Film Festival.

For the second consecutive year, it will join venues around Southwest Florida to host and showcase some of the featured films in the festival, which is marking its 15th year. BIG ARTS will present a total of four films — including “Sanibel” — on May 15-17 at 7 p.m. in its Christensen Performance Hall.

“BIG ARTS is always trying to expand,” Gallery Director Wilson McCray, who oversees the film program, said. “It was pretty successful last year. We love being part of such a cultural event.”

He noted that the festival is more than just a showing as there will be special guest appearances from those involved in the productions. They will talk about the films and answer audience questions.

“When you have a visiting personality, a director, writer or actor, who can speak about the production and their personal experience with it, it just elevates the experience for the audience,” McCray said.

“Curveballs”. PHOTO PROVIDED

It will kick off on May 15 with “Sanibel,” directed by Herbert James Winterstern. The film is a documentary about seashells, grief and a community devastated by Florida’s largest storm.

“It is a beautifully made film about Sanibel and the shelling culture and the people who work that culture, the businesses,” he said. “It focuses on one family, but it also touches on a few other characters — how they were impacted from Hurricane Ian and some of the tough stories that came with that.”

“I was struck by the human element of the film,” McCray added. “We all went through Ian.”

Winterstern and one of the producers, Kevan Rayden, will speak after the showing.

“And they will bring other guests who were in the film,” he said.

“Journey Back to Alcedo”. PHOTO PROVIDED

Before the film, an opening reception will take place at 5:45 p.m.

“The people at FISH (of Sanibel-Captiva) who were involved with the making of film were so excited that we were going to screen it. They wanted to invite a lot of friends and create a reception ahead of time,” McCray said. “I think it’s a great way to start off, to have everyone gather, then watch the film.”

During the film’s theater run last month and through May in Florida, 10% of the ticket proceeds — though not for the tickets for the festival — are benefitting FISH and the American Red Cross.

The second day of the festival on May 16 will showcase “Curveballs,” directed by John Biffar. The film tells the inspiring story of America’s only amputee baseball team, The Louisville Sluggers.

McCray reported that Biffar is an accomplished local director.

“Climbing into Life”. PHOTO PROVIDED

“We hosted one of his films a year ago for the Fort Myers festival,” he said.

“This film is about the amputee baseball league team,” McCray added. “He did a fantastic job of capturing the inspiration behind that baseball team and the people on it.”

Biffar will speak after the showing.

“It’s possible that he will be bringing some of the guys in the film,” he said.

On May 17 — the final day of the festival — it will be a double feature with “Journey Back to Alcedo,” directed by Gianna Haro Vallazza, then “Climbing into Life,” directed by Melissa J. Davey. Both short films will be included on the ticket, with a brief intermission between the showings.

In the film “Journey Back to Alcedo,” two 70-year-old friends return to the Galápagos Islands to continue their work in conservation, highlighting the need for more women in science.

McCray reported that one woman’s parents were naturalists and she grew up on the islands.

“She had a unique childhood,” he said. “She’s returning, as a middle-age woman, to her roots.”

“It’s a statement about the environment and how important it is to remain vigilant in our study and love of it,” McCray added.

The film “Climbing into Life” is the inspiring story of Dierdre Wolownick, the oldest woman to climb El Capitan. Mentored by her son, Alex Honnold, of Free Solo, she discovered climbing in her 60s.

“Again, it’s an inspirational film,” he said. “It’s a great story and a great way to end the festival on a note of inspiration and accomplishment.”

“Both of these are great coupled together,” McCray added. “They’re both about heroic women.”

Davey will speak after the showing; Vallazza may also be in attendance.

“For all three nights, all three galleries will be open,” he said.

The BIG ARTS cash bar will also be available, along with the gift shop.

Festival tickets are $12 per day.

The community is encouraged to come out.

“The 15th annual Fort Myers Film Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Lee County of the year,” McCray said. “Get your tickets — and revel in all of the great films.”

For tickets or more information, visit https://bigarts.org/ or call box office at 239-395-0900.

BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.