When Beyond Entertainment decided last year to start a family film festival, it was with the idea of exposing a niche in the industry by focusing on and rewarding music, screenplays and short films of all genres that the entire family can enjoy.

This past weekend, dozens of acting, directing and writing hopefuls joined up with those in the industry for screenings, workshops and an awards ceremony at the second-annual Beyond Entertainment Film Festival.

Founder Scott Branan said the festival was set up for whatever passion you have in the industry and to focus on films that don’t rely on profanity, nudity, car crashes or the destruction of large cities.

“We focus on family. We have some that are religious, but there aren’t many of those around, so we stick to genres that we can show to my children and watch as a family,” Branan said. “We want to bolster that family concept.”

One thing that has given this festival credibility so quickly is the amount of talent it bring in as guest speakers. Aaron Jackson, who starred in several major films and on the series “California Dreams” in the 1990s, was among the guest speakers, as was Bob Saenz, writer of numerous screenplays.

Saenz said the quality of the instructors, especially for a small festival in a small building on Nicholas Parkway in Cape Coral, is what attracted him to the event.

“COVID made people realize they weren’t spending as much time with their kids as they should have been and are paying attention to being with their family more,” Saenz said. “I think there will be more demand for family entertainment they can watch together.”

Another writer, Joe Boi, said this was the first time he has actually taught screenwriting.

“It’s been amazing to see people’s epiphanies when they see how I outline. When I was learning, there were no outlines. It was just books showing you how to make a script,” said Boi, who writes Christian-based films, including horror, an interesting dynamic.

Melissa Nunnally, who taught two sessions on acting, used her background in TV news to break into the business during COVID and can be seen on “Vindication,” a faith-based series.

“I love who is represented here, encouraging each other and providing opportunities to learn and grow and support each other,” Nunnally said. “There are a lot of highs and lows in this business and rejection and I’m helping them find joy and keep it.”

Amy Traurig, who once worked as a producer at WINK-TV, came with a friend as a screenwriter and found the classes had a nice selection of categories in which to compete.

“The laurels attract the producers we’re meeting with. There is a great caliber of people and their ability to participate is wonderful,” Traurig said. “We’ve gotten to ask a lot of nitty-gritty questions in the industry.”