Miami Film Fest Brings in Star Power & WinningFilms

By Rachel Galvin

The Miami Film Festival,held March 3-12 thisyear,wasbrimming with celebrities, including NicolasCage (see story,page 11), John Leguizamo,Ray Romano,Judy Blume, Diego Lunaand many more.Many stopped by to the red carpet like Gloriaand Emilio Estefan,CamilaCabello,GloriaGaynor and countlessothers.

But it wasafilm festival so that meansthat the focusreally ison the films,right?Well, there were so many great filmsfrom all over the world and events.

There were also awardsgiven,of course!

NicolasCage received the Variety Legend & Groundbreaker award,John Leguizamo received the Impact Award,Diego Luna received the Variety Virtuoso Award and NicholasBritell received the Art of Light Composer Award,presented by Alacran Group.Film awardsare asfollows:

Film Awards

$2,500 Goya Quick Bites Short Film Award ? "Not the 80s," directed by Marleen Valien

$4,000 Miami International Short Film Award ? "Nanos," directed by Emilio Subía

$10,000 Knight Made in MIA Short Film Award ? "Carmen," directed by Cristine Brache

Rene Rodriguez Critics Award ?

"The Beasts," directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen Alacran Music in Film Award ?

"The Beasts," directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen

$10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award ?

"I Like Movies," directed by Chandler Levack

$25,000 Knight Marimbas Award ?

"The Beasts," directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen

$45,000 Made in MIA Feature Film Award-

"Febrero," directed by Hansel PorrasGarcia

"Plantadas," directed by Lilo VilaplanaI and Camilo Vilaplana

Miami Film Festival Audience Award Winner ? "Plantadas," directed by Lilo Vilaplanaand Camilo Vilaplana

Miami Film Festival Audience Award Winner for Documentary Achievement ? "The Padilla Affair," directed by Pavel Giroud

Miami Film Festival Audience Award Winner for Shorts ? "Save the Flea," directed by Michael J. Ruiz-Unger

(The winnersof the Knight MARIMBASaward and Jordan Ressler First Feature award will receive special support from Slated through a script and financial analysispackage.) Formoreinformation,visit

How are you feeling about your career? Have you thought about it lately?Are you making progressor just floundering?Now might be agood time to take stock and determine where you have been and where you need to make some changesto go further Perhapsyou need an acting classor new headshots. Can't afford them? Maybe there issomething else you can do to get ahead in the meantime. Get creative! Get out and meet people. Do you know about the Florida ArtsNetwork?Find out more by reading thisissue.Most importantly,no matter what you do,have some fun in the process!

Make sure also to check out the story about NicolasCage. It wasa pleasure taking photosof him on the red carpet and seeing hiswitty and candid Q&Aas part of the Miami Film Festival.Hisappearance wasjust one of many by celebs to the festival thisyear.

Break aleg!

Rachel Galvin Publisher