The Miami Dade College Miami Film Festival, in collaboration with ArtesMiami launched of the Miami Film Fund, a new initiative that will award a total of $15,000 in grants to filmmakers connected to Miami and Cuban American communities.

Sponsored by ArtesMiami, a local arts nonprofit, the fund will distribute grants through the Coral Gables Community Foundation during its inaugural year to celebrate and promote Miami-related film storytelling. Created to strengthen Miami’s growing film industry, the Miami Film Fund is designed to support projects in postproduction while highlighting stories that reflect the city’s rich cultural fabric and global reach.

“The Miami Film Festival is delighted to provide this new source of funding to filmmakers, further reinforcing our mission to support filmmakers at every stage of their careers,” said James Woolley, the festival’s Executive Director. “By supporting creators, we ensure Miami remains a world-class center for storytelling and filmmaking.”

Dr. Aida Levitan, President and Founder of ArtesMiami, said: “Our board created the Miami Film Fund and partnered with the Miami Film Festival as our contribution to developing Miami as an international film hub. We want the whole community to feel part of it and help us grow the fund to at least one million dollars over the next five years.”

In its first year, three $5,000 grants will be awarded in the following categories:

• Cuban American Filmmaker ($5,000): Open to filmmakers anywhere in the world who make films about Cuban Americans (especially those of Miami), or to Cuban American filmmakers based in Miami working on any subject.

• Miami Filmmaker ($5,000): Awarded to creators who reside in Miami working on any subject.

• Production Filmed in Miami ($5,000): Awarded to filmmakers not residing in Miami who filmed more than 50 percent of their production in Miami.

Grant recipients will be selected by a jury of industry professionals and community leaders, who will place particular value on artistic merit, cultural impact, and meaningful ties to Miami.

The deadline to submit applications is April 19 at 11:59 p.m. Filmmakers whose films are in postproduction can apply at www.miamifilmfestival.com/miami-film-fund.com.

Winners will be announced in May 2026 and their films will screen as official selections at the Miami Film Festival 2027 or 2028.