NEWSLETTERS

A MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE MARTINO

What an amazing summer! For 15 years the Florida Film Institute has successfully mentored thousands of middle and high school students all across Miami-Dade and Broward counties in the art and business of film production. Our workshops have immersed students in everything from scriptwriting to directing and all the way through to editing and marketing.

A lot to learn in so little time! But our students always pull through and end up creating amazing works of art that showcase their creativity and talent. To me, that’s the best part—watching students with little or no knowledge of filmmaking develop the skills and confidence they can use for a lifetime.

But all of this wouldn’t be possible without the ceaseless dedication and generosity of our Instructors, Board Members, School Teachers, and Sponsors. They provide the resources and funding that insures our continued success in educating and inspiring thousands of students across south Florida to take charge of their dreams and reach their potential.

Thank you to all for making a difference in the lives of so many!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CAMP

Florida Film Institute offers summer camp for aspiring filmmakers and actors.

FFI introduces CINEMA, a film education summer camp sponsored by the City of Miami Mayor’s Heart of Our Parks and The Florida Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment. From June 11th to July 27th, CINEMA gives up to 25 students the opportunity to focus on essential and practical aspects of commercial motion picture production, including script preparation, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, directing, acting and music.

The program features instruction by Writer/Director Alyn Darnay, winner of eleven outstanding awards of excellence, including four “Best of Show” Telly Awards and Tavares Beverly, producer of more than 20 television commercials, six television shows, and actor in the Emmy award winning show “The Awakening.” And Franceasca Seiden, Writer, Producer, Director. At the end of the session, participants get to showcase their film at the Mayor’s Recital.

FFI Welcomes Aboard Governors Office and Production Hub

The Florida Film Institute would like to welcome our newest sponsors.

The Florida Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment is the state’s economic development program for the development and expansion of the motion picture and entertainment industry sectors. Their role encompasses many activities, such as attracting and promoting film and video production in Florida, facilitating access to filming locations by eliminating bureaucratic “red-tape,” serving as a liaison between the industry and government entities, and marketing the state as a world-class production center.

ProductionHUB.com, is the most trusted online resource in the production industry with more than 100,000 monthly users. They provide an online starting point for the production industry and any production professional with a need.

FFI Students Films Win Awards

Beyond creating projects that they can be proud of, watching our students gain recognition and well-deserved awards for their hard work and creativity is a huge bonus.

Despite lots of competition, their work continues to come out on top. Congratulations to all!

Robert Morgan High School
TWISTED FATE
Winner: 2006 Miami Dade Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment
Student Filmmaker Award Presented to “Sepabra Brathwaite”

Turner Tech High School
BROTHER’S KEEPER
Winner: 2006 Miami Dade Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment
Student Filmmaker Award Presented to “Ainkosi McCray” -Photo will be attached

Miami Northwestern SHS
A NEW LOVE
Winner: 2006 Miami Children’s Film Festival
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
MCM FILM SCHOOL IX
GUARDIAN ANGEL
Winner: 2006 Miami Children’s Film Festival
BEST MALE AND FEMALE ACTORS

New Board Member

Eduardo Lytton – Writer / Producer

The Florida Film Institute prides itself on bringing onboard industry professionals with a record of accomplishment. They expertise and experience helps make things run a lot smoother here at FFI. Finding such talent and creativity isn’t easy, so we eagerly welcome our newest Board Member:

Hailing from El Salvador, Mr. Lytton has been active in the Miami film and TV community for close to 10 years. He is Founder and President of the filmcollectiv, a production company that has produced short films which have garnered distinctions from HBO and Showtime, in addition to participating in numerous film festivals worldwide.

FACEBOOK DISCUSSION

We want to hear from you! Please check out FFI’s Facebook Page and stay updated with what is new and upcoming with our award winning film programs. But also, while you are there we encourage you to start posting some of your own thoughts and ideas about filmmaking- perhaps, what is your favorite film and why? or what programs you would like FFI to consider producing in the future? It would be great to get a dialogue going between our FB page and our many fans!

Watch FFI on “You Tube”

You can now view the wonderful films made by our students online anytime you want. As a matter of fact we encourage it. The films are actually an ongoing anthology of the attitudes of the young people who make them, acting as a mirror of their environment, concerns and problems. Every film is compelling in its own way and some have won awards at film festivals across the country.

You’ll find us at: www.youtube.com/flfilm
See you there!

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 in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, 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, is 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), Garnet Productions, Coral Gables Art Cinema, VideoLab Solutions, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.