NEWSLETTERS

A MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE MARTINO

Hello Everyone!

Greetings and thank you for tuning in to our latest program update. This newsletter is packed with important highlights, upcoming events and a look at what’s next for FFI! We are swiftly moving through an incredible season of learning and filmmaking with the ongoing success of the CINEMA program as we approach the final stretch of the academic year. What began in late August now feels like a blink — yet here we are, just weeks away from wrapping up the 2024–2025 school year. It’s been a remarkable journey of creativity and connection.

Our CINEMA students have been hard at work this year, having successfully completed their Haiku and Monologue projects. They’re now in the final stages of editing their Narrative Short Films, with just one final challenge ahead — the Micro Films, which are set to wrap up by early May. The pace has been intense at times, but the results speak for themselves. From the very beginning, these young filmmakers have brought passion, focus, and creativity to every step of the process. We’re incredibly proud of their progress — and even more thrilled that they’ve enjoyed the journey while developing real-world storytelling skills.

Filmmaking is an exciting, dynamic art form — but it doesn’t come without its obstacles. This year, the FFI team worked collaboratively to meet deadlines and adapt alongside new educators. It’s been a true collaborative effort every step of the way.

The FFI projects created last school year, as well as those from the 2024 summer film camp, have been making a remarkable impact on the film festival circuit — details are shared below. Looking ahead, we’re excited for our upcoming annual CINEMA screening & awards show, and preparations for the 2025 summer film camp are already underway. Be sure to read on for all the latest updates and more exciting news!

From concept development to final edits, our CINEMA students have truly showcased their talent and creativity, standing out as some of the top young filmmakers in Miami-Dade County! I deeply appreciate your unwavering support for the arts — and for FFI’s award-winning program, which continues to thrive thanks to your collective involvement and encouragement.

2024 – 2025 After School CINEMA Program Update

2nd SEMESTER – After returning from the holiday break in January, students from the three CINEMA sites — John A. Ferguson SHS, Miami Lakes Educational Center, and Turner Technical Arts SHS — dove right into an exciting mix of creative and technical work. Following the completion of their earlier projects, including Haiku and Monologue Projects, students shifted into high gear for the production of their Narrative Short Films, which have now been filmed and are in the final stages of editing. Up next are the Micro Films — the final CINEMA projects of the school year. We’ve assembled a panel of industry professionals who will be reviewing and scoring selected projects. Winners will be announced at our red carpet end-of-year screening and awards show in May. We’d love for you to join us — more details are provided below!

2024 – 2025 FFI/CINEMA SCREENING/AWARDS IN-PERSON EVENT @ MDC-N CAMPUS ON 5/21/25 @ 10AM

Come walk the red carpet with us…..to celebrate this year’s filmmakers and watch their projects on the big screen!

Lights, Camera… Summer FFI TEEN FILM CAMP JUNE 16th – JULY 25th, 2025 @ CGAC!

Film Fest News

Stephanie represented FFI @ the 8th Annual Vero Beach Film Festival which was held April 10-13, 2025. The CINEMA student film from last year, THE DIVINE TRAGEDY was selected to be screened in the festival’s Next Up! High School and University Shorts block. Congrats to all of the filmmakers!

We are proud to share that a remarkable number of CINEMA student projects from the past year and a half have been selected for film festivals across the local, state, and national levels — with several gaining attention on the international stage! The recognition our students have received is nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s a true celebration of their talent, passion, and dedication to the craft. Their work continues to captivate audiences far beyond the classroom, and we couldn’t be more proud of their cinematic success. Below is just a glimpse of the film festival highlights — for a full list and the latest updates, be sure to visit the FFI website!

FFI CINEMA History

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT : Isabella Escalona

What FFI did for me…

One of the most transformative things FFI did for me was provide access to an education and equipment that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. My school did not offer filmmaking classes, and I did not have access to crew members, equipment, or great locations to create the films I always dreamed of making. I remember getting accepted to the program and feeling so excited to finally have a shot at making a real film.

Current Update…

What blows my mind to this day is how that very film I wrote and directed with FFI earned me a full-ride scholarship to the most prestigious film school in the country. I graduated from the University of Southern California in the spring of 2024 with a BA in Narrative Studies, and now I spend my free time writing poetry and short stories using those same creative techniques I learned to harness at FFI. I also teach middle school language arts with the goal of instilling the same confidence and encouragement in my own students that FFI instilled in me. Also, our crewmates from that summer of 2018 are still in contact with one another and supporting each other!

INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK

Follow FFI on our INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK pages to check out some awesome behind the scenes production pics:

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DONATIONS TO OUR ORGANIZATION

FFI is always seeking financial and in-kind support. In the event that you would like to donate dollars (or maybe just some sense!) please click HERE or contact the FFI office directly and speak with Stephanie.

Sponsored By

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County, Miami Dade College North Campus, School of Entertainment & Design Technology (SEDT) and Coral Gables Art Cinema.