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Press

Oct 02
Love5

FFI Introduces Our Student Social Media Team

By Announcements, News, Press
Latest News - FFI Student Social Media Team

FFI would like to introduce the 2026-2027 Student Social Media Team:

Joseph Alvarado
Jayden Carson
Sophia Cires-Fernandez
Anabelle Marley Mena
Mariayh Pierre-Louis
Carolina Saba Molto
  • Joseph Alvarado — Senior in MLEC’s Cisco Networking program and self-taught photographer and videographer pursuing a career in filmmaking.
  • Jayden Carson — Sophomore in the Academy of Entertainment Technology at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School and two-year FFI filmmaker.
  • Sophia Cires-Fernandez — Junior at John A. Ferguson Senior High and aspiring cinematographer passionate about photography, illustration, and playing guitar.
  • Anabelle Marley Mena — Bilingual photographer, screenwriter, and senior at MLEC dedicated to sharing diverse visual stories through film and photography.
  • Mariayh Pierre-Louis — Freshman in the Academy of Medical Sciences at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School, proudly representing her school and program.
  • Carolina Saba Molto — Senior at John A. Ferguson Senior High and aspiring director specializing in visual composition, content creation, and storytelling.
Aug 20
Love5

2026 Summer Film Camp Premiere Screening

By News, Newsletters, Press, Summer Film Camp
FFI Summer Film Camp Premiere 2026

From Summer Camp to the Silver Screen!

You’re invited to the premiere screening of the film projects produced by the talented students of the 2026 FFI Summer Film Camp! From script to screen, these young storytellers poured their hearts into their work, and now it’s time for their big-screen debut.

September 26th, 2026 @ Coral Gables Art Cinema
10AM – 11AM
FREE and open to the community!

Support the arts and discover the future of film, right here in our city. Bring your family, bring your friends, and let’s pack the house for these incredible young artists!

Learn About Our Summer Film Camp

A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and Coral Gables Art Cinema.

Congratulations to all FFI students, cast and crew! See you next year!
May 20
Love4

2025-26 CINEMA Winners

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI Cinema Show 2025-26 Winners

2025-26 CINEMA Winners

Thanks to everyone who helped make this years CINEMA Program a huge success!

FILM PROJECTS BY: John A. Ferguson Senior High School, Miami Lakes Educational Center, William H. Turner Technical Arts High School
⁠
WITH SUPPORT FROM: The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County, Miami Dade College, Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology, and the Florida Division of Arts & Culture.

See Our 2025-26 CINEMA Program! (PDF)

THIS YEARS WINNERS

BEST MONOLOGUE
1st Place, Maria Rendon, Clipped Wings, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Jaydon Carson, The Interrogation, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS
3rd Place, Enzo Pirela, The Date, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST NARRATIVE POSTER
1st Place, Angelina Chirino, Aztil Duarte & Maria Rendon, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Salet Martinez, Carolina Salbamolto & Adrian Vidaurrazaga, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Camila Vargas, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST BEHIND THE SCENES
1st Place, Matthew Medina & Enzo Pirela, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Ty’Quavien Lathan, Superdude, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS
3rd Place, Isabella Abad, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST TRAILER
1st Place, Joan Martinez, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Emily Frias, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Zyonnah Evans-Hammil, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center

BEST SCREENPLAY
1st Place, Isabella Chavez & Angelina Chirino, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Isabella Abad & Isabella Gil, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Mia Pinero, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
1st Place, Aztil Duarte & Zyonnah Evans-Hammil, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Enzo Pirela, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Anthony Michel, Superdude, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS

BEST EDITING
1st Place, Sebastian Orantes & Camila Vargas, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Joseph Alvarado & Angelina Chirino, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center
3rd Place, Isabella Gil & John Quesada, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST SOUND RECORDING
1st Place, Sebastian Orantes & John Quesada, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, David Jarquin & Marcos Vasquez, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Isabella Palacios & Sebastian Sanchez, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center

BEST LIGHTING
1st Place, Johnathan Garcia, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Matthew Medina, La Nostra Stella, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Joseph Alvarado & Kevin Charles, Between Wheels & Shadows, Miami Lakes Educational Center

BEST LEAD FEMALE ACTOR
Val Torres, When I Was You, John A. Ferguson SHS (Character of Jo)

BEST LEAD MALE ACTOR
Rickey Gaspard, Superdude, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS (Character of Jordan)

BEST DIRECTOR
Walter Cunningham, Superdude, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS

BEST NARRATIVE FILM
Between Wheels & Shadows, Priscilla Carmenate & Thalia Chichester, Miami Lakes Educational Center

Congratulations to all FFI students, cast and crew! Have a great summer! See you next school year!

May 12
Love5

2025-26 CINEMA Screening & Awards Show

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI Cinema Show 2025-26

2025-26 CINEMA Screening & Awards Show

Join us for a showcase of student filmmaking and creative achievement. We invite you to experience the official screenings and celebrate this year’s award winners at Miami Dade College.

  • May 20th, 2026 @ Miami Dade College, N. Campus
  • 9AM – Red Carpet Arrivals + SEDT Studio Tour
  • 10AM – Premiere Screening
  • Award Ceremony and Lunch to follow the screening

Join Us For The Livestream!
See Our 2025-26 CINEMA Program! (PDF)

Thanks to everyone who helped make this years CINEMA Program a huge success and to the students for your hard work and vision!

FILM PROJECTS BY: John A. Ferguson Senior High School, Miami Lakes Educational Center, William H. Turner Technical Arts High School
⁠
WITH SUPPORT FROM: The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County, Miami Dade College, Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology, and the Florida Division of Arts & Culture.

Feb 25
Love6

2026 Summer Film Camp Registration is Now Open!

By News, Newsletters, Press
Register Now for the FFI 2026 Summer Film Camp

Ready to go from the theater seat to the director’s chair?

Register For Summer Camp Now

This summer, FFI 2026 is taking over the Coral Gables Art Cinema for 6 weeks of pure filmmaking, June 15 – July 24, 2026. If you’re between 13–18 and ready to master everything from cinematography and acting to professional editing, this is your shot.

Work side-by-side with South Florida industry pros and bring your own stories to life on the big screen.

We only have room for 25 creative minds. Don’t miss the cut!

Application Deadline – June 8th

SPONSORED BY: Coral Gables Art Cinema, State of Florida, Division of Arts & Culture, Miami-Dade County and Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.

Dec 19
Love3

Film Fest Updates!

By Announcements, News, Press
Film Fest Updates!

FILM FEST UPDATES!

Congratulations to our 24-25′ after-school CINEMA Program students and FFI’s 2025 FFI Summer Film Camp students whose films are sweeping film festivals across the globe!

We are incredibly proud of the hard work and creativity that went into these projects.

Check out this season’s incredible lineup of honors:

RADIO ROBIN
Winner: Best Student Film – Chicago Indie Film Awards
Semi-Finalist: Cleveland Arthouse Film Awards, Denver Movie Awards, Detroit Independent Film Festival, Dublin International Film Awards, Florida Shorts, Monte Carlo Movie Awards, Niagara Falls International Short Festival, Rio de Janeiro World Film Festival, Seattle Filmmaker Awards.

I’M NOT A GAMBLING MAN
Nominee: New York Independent Cinema Awards
Semi-Finalist: Brooklyn International Short Awards, Hawaii International Film Awards, Seattle Filmmaker Awards.

DO YOU COPY?
Nominee: Cannes Arts Fest
Semi-Finalist: Brooklyn International Short Awards, Seattle Filmmaker Awards.

STING
Semi-Finalist: Arthouse Festival of Beverly Hills, Cleveland Arthouse Film Awards, Detroit Independent Film Festival, Monte Carlo Movie Awards, Rio de Janeiro World Film Festival, Seattle Filmmaker Awards.

A ROSE WITH ITS THORN & CURSED SYNERGY
Semi-Finalists: Seattle Filmmaker Awards.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this possible:
The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Florida Division of Arts & Culture, Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology & Coral Gables Art Cinema.

Dec 15
Love3

Happy Holidays!

By Announcements, News, Press
Happy Holidays!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As we wrap up an incredible year, the Florida Film Institute wants to send a huge Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to our amazing community!

This past year has been a masterclass in creativity—filled with hands-on filmmaking, constant learning, and plenty of fun behind the scenes. We are so proud of everything our students and partners have achieved.

We can’t wait to yell “Action!” on everything 2026 has in store. See you on set next year!

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this possible:
The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Florida Division of Arts & Culture, Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology & Coral Gables Art Cinema.

Oct 28
Love3

Hiring Now! Part-Time Acting Coach (Miami) for our award-winning HS film program.

By Announcements, Jobs, News, Press
WE'RE HIRING!

WE’RE HIRING!

Part-Time Acting Coach (Miami) for our award-winning HS film program.

Join the award-winning Florida Film Institute and inspire the next generation of filmmakers! We’re seeking a passionate Part-Time Acting Coach to work with high school students in our afterschool film program.

This is an incredible opportunity to mentor young talent and be part of an award-winning team.

DETAILS

  • $80/hour
  • Flexible Schedule (Tues/Thurs, 2:30-5:30PM)
  • West Miami (Miami-Dade public high school)

REQUIREMENTS

  • Passion for teaching acting
  • Reliable transportation
  • Must pass clearance to work with students

SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY. If you’re ready to make an impact, send your cover letter and resume to: meagan@flfilminstitute.org.

Oct 01
Love5

October 2025 Newsletter Now Available

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI October 2025 Newsletter

OUR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE!

Powerful community advocacy works! We’re celebrating the full restoration of Miami-Dade’s cultural grant funding, a major victory for our local arts scene. At FFI, we’re channeling that energy into our 33rd year of the CINEMA after-school program, where our student filmmakers are already earning festival awards. The future of Miami storytelling is bright!

Check Out The Newsletter
Aug 21
Love5

2025 Summer Film Camp Premiere Screening

By News, Newsletters, Press, Summer Film Camp
FFI Summer Film Camp Premiere

2025 Summer Film Camp Premiere Screening

You’re invited to the premiere screening of the film projects produced by the talented students of the 2025 FFI Summer Film Camp!

September 21st, 2025 @ Coral Gables Art Cinema
10:30AM – 11:30AM

Learn About Our Summer Film Camp

Thanks to everyone who helped make this years CINEMA Program a huge success!

⁠SPONSORED BY: Coral Gables Art Cinema, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami-Dade County Government, Knight Foundation & Florida Division of Arts & Culture.

Congratulations to all FFI students, cast and crew! See you next year!
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Thanks for subscribing to our list!

Your name and email address will only be used by The Florida Film Institute, Inc. for Newsletters, Announcements and Special Event notifications. Your information will never be shared and you may unsubscribe at any time. Thank You.