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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s growing film industry, the Miami Film Fund is designed to support projects in postproduction while highlighting stories that reflect the city\u2019s rich cultural fabric and global reach.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d said James Woolley, the festival\u2019s Executive Director. \u201cBy supporting creators, we ensure Miami remains a world-class center for storytelling and filmmaking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Aida Levitan, President and Founder of ArtesMiami, said: \u201cOur 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
In its first year, three $5,000 grants will be awarded in the following categories:<\/p>\n
\u2022 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.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Miami Filmmaker ($5,000): Awarded to creators who reside in Miami working on any subject.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Production Filmed in Miami ($5,000): Awarded to filmmakers not residing in Miami who filmed more than 50 percent of their production in Miami.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n