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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.

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!
Jul 02
Love5

Audition Now!

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI Latest News

Casting Call: Florida Film Institute Student Films

AUDITIONS:
July 7th, 10AM – 1PM
260 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

do you copy?
An aimless teen’s summer job at a deserted movie theater turns dark when they uncover a sinister system of control – forcing a choice between ambition and morality.

STING
A group of criminals fleeing from a heist gone south await their share of cash, unaware of an undercover cop hiding amongst them.

AUDITION NOW!

May 20
Love4

2024-25 CINEMA Screening & Awards Show

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI Cinema Show 2024-25

2024-25 CINEMA Screening & Awards Show

May 21st, 2025 @ Miami Dade College, N. Campus
9AM – Red Carpet Arrivals + SEDT Studio Tour
10AM – Premiere Screening + Awards Show
Lunch Reception to Follow

Join Us For The Livestream!

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
⁠
SPONSORED BY: The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County, Knight Foundation, Videolab Solutions, Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology

See Our 2024-25 CINEMA Program! (PDF)

THIS YEARS WINNERS

BEST HAIKU POEM
Walter Cunnigham, Eternal Gratefulness, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS

BEST MONOLOGUE
Camila Vargas, The Coach, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST NARRATIVE POSTER
1st Place, Joan Martinez, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Mia Pineiro, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Whitney Michel, A Rose With Its Thorns, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS

BEST TRAILER
Thalia Chichester & Daneelia Dalrymple, Cursed Synergy, Miami Lakes Educational Center

BEST SCREENPLAY
1st Place, Liz Cortes, Matthew Medina & Camila Vargas, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Lova Augustin & Myriah Cayo, A Rose With Its Thorns, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS
3rd Place, Carlos Garcia, Jonathan Garcia, Jesus Hernandez & Gabriel Mejia, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
1st Place, Jaeden Fyffe, Cursed Synergy, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Esteban Salazar, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Matthew Medina, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST EDITING
1st Place, Sofia Cruz & Camila Vargas, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Daneelia Dalrymple & Zyonnah Evans-Hammil, Cursed Synergy, Miami Lakes Educational Center
3rd Place, Laura Delgado & Joan Martinez, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST SOUND
1st Place, Joel Bravo & Leila Torres-Velázquez, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
2nd Place, Christopher James & Mia Zaldivar, Cursed Synergy, Miami Lakes Educational Center
3rd Place, Amanda Perez & Adrian Vidaurrazaga, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST LIGHTING
1st Place, Megan Derival, Cursed Synergy, Miami Lakes Educational Center
2nd Place, Lis Albin & Sofia Cruz, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
3rd Place, Holly Delpe, A Rose With Its Thorns, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS

BEST ACTING
Best Lead Female Actor, Liz Cortes (character of Robin), Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS
Honorable Mention Lead Female Actor, Kimora Joseph (character of Victoria), A Rose With Its Thorns, William H. Turner Tech Arts HS
Best Lead Male Actor, Dexter Cisnero (character of Jack), I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST DIRECTOR
Jesus Hernandez, I’m Not A Gambling Man, John A. Ferguson SHS

BEST NARRATIVE FILM
Mia Pineiro, Radio Robin, John A. Ferguson SHS

Congratulations to all FFI students, cast and crew! Have a great summer! See you next school year!
Apr 25
Love5

April 2025 Newsletter Now Available

By News, Newsletters, Press
FFI April 2025 Newsletter

OUR APRIL NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE!

Our latest newsletter is packed with exciting updates. Find out all about our After School Program, get the details on our upcoming CINEMA Screening & Awards Event, explore the creative possibilities of our Summer Film Camp, catch up on Film Fest news, and be inspired by our Alumni Spotlight. Don’t miss out – it’s all there!

Check Out The Newsletter
Mar 04
Love5

2025 Summer Film Camp Registration is Now Open!

By News, Newsletters, Press
Register Now for the FFI 2025 Summer Film Camp

Lights, Camera, Action, Future Filmmakers!


Register For Summer Camp Now

Hey teens (ages 13-18)! Ready to dive into the magic of movie-making? Join FFI’s 6-week intense filmmaking program (June 16 – July 25, 2025) at Coral Gables Art Cinema where YOU become the director, actor, cinematographer, and more! Learn the ins-and-outs of script prep, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, editing, acting, and even music—guided by top South Florida Film Industry pros.

Application Deadline – June 13th

Limited spots for 25 creative minds—so grab your chance to shine behind the camera and bring your blockbuster dreams to life!

Apply now and start your journey to the silver screen!

SPONSORED BY: Coral Gables Art Cinema, Miami-Dade County, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Videolab Solutions.

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Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates.

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.