Clement Sentucq, Santiago Falkenhagen and Diego Diecidue. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Alliance for the Arts in partnership with the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau hosted the first annual Shorts of the Fort Film Festival on September 20. The public was invited to submit a short film, ranging from 30 seconds to five minutes, that highlighted all that Southwest Florida has to offer. Cash prizes were awarded to winners in each category: Best of the Fest, Top film in each Category: Island Odyssey: films featuring the surrounding islands in Lee County, Beach Bliss: films featuring the vast beaches and river banks in Lee County, Neighborhood Narratives: films featuring any of the towns, hamlets, iconic places across Lee County, Audience Favorite and Best Student Film.

Winners:

-Best Student Film- Discovering Together, Directed by: Xavier Matos

-Neighborhood Narratives- Ride By, Directed By: Santiago Falkenhagen

-Beach Bliss- Cherish, Directed by: Collette Marie Couillard

-Island Odyssey- My Matlacha Courtyard, Directed by: Marta Elva Rangel Gibbons

-Best of the Fest- Back to One, Directed by: Nathan Wallace, Victor H Muriel

-Audience Favorite- Ride By, Directed By: Santiago Falkenhagen