These stylish, smart Naples women are gorgeous on the inside and out—and we know they will be the toast of town this season. Get to know them here first.
Photography by Roland Scarpa
Hair and makeup by Philip Douglas
Shannon Franklin
Executive and Artistic Director, Naples International Film Festival
Shannon Franklin has a passion for cinema, and it shows. She is a driving force behind the current influx of top-notch art films to Naples and the expanding reach of our cultural scene. After growing up here, Franklin relocated to the bright lights of Hollywood with her University of Florida theater degree in hand, and she spent 10 years acting, doing voice-over work and even co-founding a small film production company. When she and her husband decided to move to Naples in 2008, little did she know a return to her hometown would net the job of her life: A tiny film festival with big aspirations was starting up and needed help. Before she knew it, she was running the whole operation, which is celebrating its fifth year this fall. Her vision and ambition are putting it on the international map, and we caught up with her just before she jetted to the famous Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, to source and scout movies for the milestone anniversary program November 7 to 10 at Silverspot Cinema.
What would people be surprised by about you?
I have my Screen Actors Guild card, and one day I’d love to star in a Broadway musical and play drums in a rock band. Of course, I’d have to learn to play first!
Hobbies: I pretty much live, sleep and breathe movies.
Guilty Pleasure: Spending a weekend catching up on my favorite TV shows.
Best Beauty Advice: Always wear sunscreen.
What would you bring to a desert island?
Electricity, a Blu-ray player and my Apple TV.
What’s on your bookshelf?
I’m a voracious reader. On a daily basis I read the entertainment trades like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, but for fun I love sci-fi, fantasy or anything supernatural.
Most Prized Possession: A Murano glass love knot my husband and I found on our honeymoon in Venice.
Hidden Talent: Bowling! I played on a league when I was growing up.
Stress Reliever: Eating large amounts of dark chocolate.
Early bird or night owl?
These days… both!
How does it feel to be a “leading lady”?
When I came back to Naples, I had no idea what was in store. I get the opportunity to work with people excited about film, and I’m so proud of what we’ve built with the festival. Recognition like this is humbling. I feel very lucky.
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