Outreach (2009)

The Miami Short Film Festival started its youth programming in 2006 during its “Summer Shorts” program. With the help from sponsors, Miami-Dade County Division of Cultural Affairs and the University of Miami, the Summer Shorts program grew from a week-long workshop to an after school program that provided opportunities for high schools students to explore the art and science of motion pictures, to further their understanding and appreciation of movies, and to experience the movie making process. This year "Tomorrow Filmmakers Today" adds 10 local film professionals, professors and film students to mentor high school students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools in the production of short films of professional and market quality to be presented at the 2010 Edition of the MsFF.

Filming activities will start as early as October 2009 in cooperation with film professionals, professors and teachers at each participating school and will continue throughout the school year. Student films will be screened at the 2009 MsFF “Tomorrow Film Makers Today” night, during matinees presented to Miami-Dade County Public School children at the Bill Cosford Theater, and at each of the participating schools. These screenings are followed by a Q&A with the participation of film professionals (mentors) and the filmmakers (students) as panelists talking about their crafts, their inspirations, their experiences, and their future career paths.

High School students ages 14-17 participate in this program. In cooperation with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences guides and DVDs developed by "Young Minds Inspired" are distributed to teachers and students. These guides are filled with activities designed to capitalize on each student's natural interest in current films.

These guides teach valuable lessons in critical thinking, creative writing, and also help to develop visual literacy skills. Mentors and Program sponsors use these guides as teaching materials. In addition these guides are available to all students and teachers in Miami-Dade County upon request.

Professors and film students from the University of Miami provide workshops, lectures, and technical assistance to students in the production of a short film. In addition students travel to the University of Miami to visit the campus, meet the faculty, film students and for a tour of their facilities.

Selected schools are: DASH, Miami Palmetto, MAST, Homestead, Hialeah, and Miami Senior High schools. These schools have been selected for their demonstrated interest in participating in this project and because they represent the social and economical diversity of Miami-Dade County. “Tomorrow Film Makers Today” is a free extracurricular activity that engages high schools students in the art of filmmaking, teaching them practical skills and lessons.

Since 2006, the MsFF has presented workshops designed to provide students with direct contact with working film professionals including Directors, Art Directors, Cinematographers, Film Editors, Makeup, Music, Sound and Visual Effects artists.

Previously Film professionals that have accepted to work in this project are: Ed Talavera, Dia Kontaxis, William Vela, Jaie Laplante, Franco Parente, and Jackie Julio.