Edge Rewrite
Jump to content

Eric Raddatz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eric Raddatz
OccupationsJournalist, filmmaker

Eric Raddatz is an American journalist and filmmaker. He wrote, produced and directed independent films, including A Day to Love and Die and Barely a Chance. He is a co-founder of the Naples International Film Festival and the founder of the Fort Myers Film Festival.[1][2]

Life and career

[edit]

Raddatz worked in newspaper design at Copley Chicago Newspapers and later worked for Gannett at The News-Press before joining Gulfshore Life.[3][4] In 2007, he joined Florida Weekly as presentation editor of print and new media.[5][6] He was later named editor of Florida Weekly's Fort Myers edition in September 2021.[7]

Raddatz began working in film as an extra, including an appearance in Stir of Echoes.[3]

In 2009, Raddatz co-founded the Naples International Film Festival with Rowan Samuel and Daniel Linehan.[2][3] He later left the festival and founded the Fort Myers Film Festival in 2010.[8][9][5][10] Its inaugural edition was held in March 2011.

In 2024, Raddatz became executive director of the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium in Fort Myers.[11][12]

References

[edit]
  1. Frampton, Channing (2025-03-03). "Gulf Coast filmmakers reflect on creative passion amid Oscar season". WBBH. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  2. 1 2 Sendler, David (2019-04-11). "Eric Raddatz: The Film Man Carries On". Gulfshore Life. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  3. 1 2 3 "Frame by Frame: 3 men build a film festival from the bottom up". naplesnews.com. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  4. https://fortmyersfilmfestival.com/f/swfls-cinematic-celebration-fmff-set-to-dazzle
  5. 1 2 Quee, Richard Chin (2018-04-13). "005 - Eric Raddatz". WGCU News | PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  6. Webmaster (2021-08-21). "Lee County: How to Get Discovered by the Media". Above Board Chamber. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  7. ohtadmin (2021-09-02). "Florida Weekly names new Fort Myers editor - Florida Weekly". Florida Weekly -. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  8. "Naples 2009 film festival director steps down, dislikes board's vision for event". naplesnews.com. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  9. Hall, Tom (2022-05-19). "12th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival Weekend Preview". WGCU News | PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  10. Team, indiantelevision com (2010-01-15). "Raddatz breaks up with Naples intl. film fest". Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  11. Zaleski, Madison (2026-06-10). "Florida TaxWatch releases 2026 budget Turkey Watch". WBBH. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  12. Hall, Tom (2024-10-14). "Eric Raddatz bringing full-dome films to Fort Myers Film Festival and Calusa Planetarium". WGCU News | PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida. Retrieved 2026-08-04.