The Philharmonic Center for the Arts, November 5, 2009—it was the opening night for the Naples International Film Festival. A fashionably-dressed crowd had turned out to support and cheer the three Film Festivals co-founders for their amazing accomplishment. A year ago the festival was just a dream, but this night was proof that passion can push and propel a dream forward into becoming a full-blown reality—red carpet and all.

In many ways, The Cove, the film that kicked off the festival, tells a similar story of passion. Two filmmakers set out to document the world’s most crucial resource, water. And, in doing so, are drawn into a gripping adventure when they discover a secret lagoon off the coast of Japan. The lagoon holds a sinister secret that a few desperate men will stop at nothing to keep hidden from the world.

The film makers, directed by Louise Psihoyos, heed the heart-pounding call for help from the secretly captured dolphins. They become tireless in their passionate fight to save the dolphins from inhumane captivity and brutal deaths. Their efforts, along with other like-minded activists', help reshape and change laws in many countries.

This award-winning documentary is both brilliant and thought provoking.

Let us all remember: Come to Naples not to retire --- come to Naples to inspire.