Lights, camera, travel: Fort Myers spotlights Florida charm at TIFF kickoff

As the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicked off on Thursday (Sept. 4), one destination made sure to catch the spotlight: Fort Myers, inclusive of its islands, beaches and neighbourhoods.

The Florida hotspot was front and centre at this year’s Hollywood North Party, a glittering annual event co-hosted by Hello! Canada and Toronto Life, where film industry professionals and local celebrities mingled over cocktails, music and conversation.

The activation marked Fort Myers’ second year aligning with TIFF.

For Fort Myers, the evening was a chance for its team to connect with Canadian media and industry guests while highlighting the destination’s sunny appeal.

Fort Myers returns to Hollywood North

Before the red carpet rolled out, VIP guests gathered for an intimate reception in the Library at Le Germain Hotel, and then made their way to Abrielle at Sutton Place Hotel to experience the Fort Myers activation at the Hollywood North Party.

The Fort Myers space, accented with tropical florals and flamingos, radiated an elegant coastal glow that blended seamlessly with the party’s stylish setting.

Jeanette Faria, account manager at VoX International, which represents Fort Myers in Canada, told PAX the destination wanted to come back to the Hollywood North Party for a second year following the success of last year’s activation.

“It was by far the best space of the event last year,” said Faria.

The design leaned into what Faria called an “old Florida style,” underscoring the destination’s balance of sun-kissed beaches and authentic charm.

At first glance, pairing a Gulf Coast destination with a Toronto film festival might seem like an unexpected crossover.

But the tie-in is deliberate. “One of the reasons we do this partnership is because we also have an amazing film festival in Fort Myers,” said Faria.

The Fort Myers Film Festival is the region’s flagship, anchoring a wider film festival scene that also includes events in Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs.

Beyond the screen, Fort Myers hosts a range of cultural celebrations throughout the year.

“People might know our destination for our beaches, our islands or for our 190 miles of kayaking,” said Faria.

“But we also have really good events.”

One standout is the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, which is returning this month for its 11th year.

The two-week event features more than 80 singer-songwriters performing their own hits across intimate venues throughout the region.

“There are free performances all throughout the destination and then a headliner event at the end,” said Faria.

Then there’s the annual Sand Sculpting Championship in November, held on Fort Myers Beach.

The event regularly draws Canadian talent, including master sand sculptors who have taken home top prizes.

“November is also one of the best times to visit, since the weather is gorgeous and the snowbirds haven’t really arrived yet,” added Faria.

Canadians driving growth

The Canadian market remains Fort Myers’ number one source of international visitors.

Despite a broader drop in Canadian travel to the U.S. – due to factors like the weak Canadian loonie and geopolitical conflict surrounding tariffs – Fort Myers is still seeing growth.

From January to June, direct air arrivals from Canada were up more than 5.5 per cent, according to Faria.

“That same time frame shows a dip of 17 per cent of Canadians going to the US, yet we're up five per cent,” she said.

Air access plays a role in that success.

Fort Myers enjoys year-round service from Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines.

The city’s southern location on Florida’s Gulf Coast makes it warmer than other hubs—up to ten degrees warmer than Tampa in winter, Faria noted.

“People love rejuvenating, reconnecting and slowing down,” said Faria of the destination’s appeal.

“We're really centrally located, so it's easy to get around, but we're not as commercialized or hustle-bustle or busy as some of the other areas in Florida.”

On the ground, the destination is also adding new options for travellers: Sanibel Island is welcoming its first new hotel in four decades, the Shalimar Beach Resort, while Captiva’s South Seas Island Resort has reopened.

Fort Myers Beach has also recently undergone a renourishment using high quality sand to enhance recreational space, and improve critical habitat for threatened and endangered shorebirds, tortoises and sea turtles.

A different side of Florida

With new hotels, renourished beaches, cultural festivals and an emphasis on nature, Fort Myers is sharpening its appeal as Canadians look for destinations that combine ease of access with memorable experiences.

“We’re trying to showcase that we’re a different part of Florida,” said Faria.

“People think they know Florida – they know Disney or Miami – but the West Coast is very different and Fort Myers is very different.”

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