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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.

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!

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!

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.

We’re Hiring – Site Coordinator

By News
We're Hiring! (CLOSED)

POSITION CLOSED, THANK YOU!

Join the Florida Film Institute (FFI) team!

We’re searching for a reliable and motivated Site Coordinator for our 2026 Summer Film Camp, based at Coral Gables Art Cinema.

Schedule & Location:

  • 3–5 days per week
  • 9:15 AM – 1:30 PM
  • On-site at Coral Gables Art Cinema
  • Program dates: June 15 – July 24, 2026
  • Must have reliable transportation

Key Responsibilities:

  • Take daily attendance and manage student records
  • Collect camp forms and input data into the online system
  • Support instructors during workshops
  • Oversee the student intern/Assistant Site Coordinator
  • Assist with pre-production and attend film production days
  • Serve as a point of contact for parents, addressing questions and concerns
  • Provide regular updates to the CINEMA Director and Program Manager

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Film, Television, or a related field
  • Experience or strong interest in filmmaking and production
  • Ability to work with students under 18 (required clearance)
  • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
  • Flexible availability throughout the duration of the camp

Compensation:

  • Paid position
  • Parking adjacent to the theater will be reimbursed

This role is ideal for recent college graduates or individuals seeking hands-on experience in filmmaking and youth arts education.

To Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to: meagan@flfilminstitute.org
Please apply only if you meet the listed requirements!

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