Pink Floyd, Butterfly Journey & FMFF: Enjoy Immersive Films and Planetarium Experiences This Spring & Summer

Fort Myers Film Festival Lights Up the Dome at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

The Fort Myers Film Festival is taking indie cinema to another dimension this year—literally. Hosted at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, the festival’s immersive 360° dome screenings promise some of the most daring, mind-expanding independent films in the world.

Taking place Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22, from 5–8 p.m., FMFF’s dome programming transforms the planetarium into a fully immersive storytelling environment, where audiences don’t just watch films—they step inside them.

Tickets are just $12 per block, with each curated session delivering a lineup of bold, imaginative, and visually stunning works from across the globe.

At the heart of this year’s program is “Dark Biosphere” (27 min, Spain), directed by Javier Bollain. This standout film plunges viewers deep beneath Earth’s surface, uncovering mysterious microbial ecosystems that challenge our understanding of life’s origins. Both scientifically fascinating and visually hypnotic, Dark Biosphere captures the spirit of innovation and exploration that defines the FMFF dome experience.

Thursday’s lineup also features the poetic Texada (Canada), the vibrant cultural animation Altars of Memory and Magic (Mexico), and the psychedelic visual journey Hurtubise: Orchestrating Chaos. The evening continues with Have a Safe Trip (Belgium), a jazzy dive into 60s and 70s counterculture, followed by a closing series of visually rich shorts exploring perception, storytelling, and memory.

Friday expands the scope even further, with highlights including Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, One Step Beyond: A Journey to Mars, and the emotionally resonant Together Apart. The night concludes with cosmic explorations like Close Encounters and The Frontiers of Infinity, ensuring audiences leave with their minds fully expanded.

Each block is designed as its own immersive journey—blending science, art, culture, and cutting-edge visual storytelling into an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Location: 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, FL

Dates: Thursday & Friday, May 21–22, 2026

Time: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Tickets: $12 per block

And this is just one piece of the celebration, as the 16th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival returns May 20–24, 2026, bringing its signature mix of independent film, creativity, and community energy to venues across Southwest Florida—including the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Alliance for the Arts, IMAG History & Science Center, the Lab Theater, and, of course, the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium—offering five days of screenings, events, and experiences that continue to define and elevate the film culture of Fort Myers, with tickets available at www.calusanature.org and more information at www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com.

MORE SPRING/SUMMER FILMS:

Film lovers and experience seekers alike have a new reason to head to the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium this season. This spring and summer, the dome transforms into a one-of-a-kind cinema destination featuring immersive films and audiovisual experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else in Southwest Florida.

Audiences can step inside Butterfly Journey, a visually stunning film that brings the wonder of migration to life, or experience the legendary music of Pink Floyd like never before in a fully immersive dome environment that blends sound, light, and motion into a powerful sensory event.

Tickets for both are on sale now at Calusa's website.

In collaboration with the Fort Myers Film Festival, the planetarium will also host a curated series of immersive indie film dome presentations—offering bold, innovative storytelling that surrounds viewers and redefines what it means to “watch” a film.

These are not traditional screenings—they are fully immersive film experiences designed exclusively for the planetarium dome, making Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium the only place to catch these unique presentations. (SEE ABOVE.)

Also don't miss select dates:

Beautifica — 360 Experience — United States

An immersive journey at CNCP through worlds both real and imagined, from mind-blowing particle fields to euphoric, otherworldly environments that defy description.Whether you’re a film enthusiast, music lover, or simply looking for something completely different, this is a cinematic experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Plan your visit and secure your tickets today at www.calusanature.org

About Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium:

Founded in 1969, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has served as Southwest Florida's premier environmental education destination for over 50 years. CNCP is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are also available for those interested in making a significant impact together with us. The 105-acre sanctuary houses butterfly gardens, bird aviaries, nature trails, and the only public planetarium in the region. CNCP provides educational experiences that promote environmental awareness, scientific discovery, and a lifelong love of nature, inspiring future generations of environmental stewards and advocates.

• A Special Thank You: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ace Hardware, the place with the helpful hardware folks, as well as continuing supporters, including Vulcan Materials, R4 Roofing, Aux Delicies, Famous Dave’s, The City of Fort Myers, HERC, SWFL PRODUCE,  Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, The Fred and Jean Allegretti Foundation, Heitman House, Babcock Ranch and the Fort Myers Film Festival.

Media Contact:

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.calusanature.org or contact Eric Raddatz, Executive Director, at eraddatz@calusanature.org.

Phone: (239) 275-3435

Website: calusanature.org