Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, film festivals were often perceived as industry-insider events, perhaps attracting a few die-hard general film fans, but otherwise appealing most to small, independent and avant-garde professionals and aspiring pros. While many film festivals, including Miami's own Miami International Film Festival, presented unquestioned high quality programs and popular associated civic events, festivals overall for many years existed in large part in a creative ghetto, set aside from mass-market movie releases and their fans.
However, in more recent times, that began to change. Owing to some combination of influences such as an influx of talent into the creative end of the industry, technology, the ascension of international filmmaking and demand for it domestically, economics and industry models – to name but a few – festivals began to reach deep into communities with appeal. Films debuted in festivals around the country and subsequently made a spla
