Press Release

Nov. 1, 2021

10 Local Filmmakers to Debut Winning Sustainability Videos

— The 30- to 60-second videos will premiere on Dec. 7 at SoundScape Park —

Miami Beach, FL – Ten local filmmakers will debut their winning public service announcements on a massive outdoor projection wall at SoundScape Park on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The 30- to 60-second PSAs highlighting the city’s waste reduction efforts were chosen from 35 entries as part of the Sustainability in Action PSA video contest in partnership with nonprofit Oolite Arts.

“All of these local filmmakers came up with creative ways to demonstrate the many ways Miami Beach is working to reduce waste,” Miami Beach Commissioner David Richardson said. “We hope these videos will inspire Miami Beach residents to discover new ways to love the environment.”

WPLG TV’s Louis Aguirre will serve as guest host for the Sustainability in Action screening event. The popular news anchor and environmental advocate was honored earlier this year by the Miami-Dade County Commission for his reporting on environmental issues and the ongoing mission to save Biscayne Bay.

The public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite PSA with the chosen filmmaker to receive an additional $1,000 prize. Voting closes on Dec. 14.

Winning filmmakers are:

  • Taina Adam for “Plastick.” Adam is a Florida International University sustainability and public administration student.
  • Juan Castaneda for “A Drowning.” He is a writer, director and producer.
  • Shana Druckerman for “Join The Club.” Druckerman is affiliated with HAWKS Productions.
  • Franco Gonzalez for “Trash Monster.” He is a Chilean-born director/producer.
  • Daniel Kaplan for “Plastic, it’s not a good look.” Kaplan is a Miami filmmaker.
  • Maria Corina Ramirez for “The Exes.” She is a Venezuelan-American filmmaker.
  • Katia Ribeyro for “A Day at the Beach.” She is a Peruvian producer, director and actress.
  • Panchi Sanfuentes for “The Circle of Life.” Sanfuentes is a multi-industry professional.
  • Georgia Stockwell for “Re/dress.” She is a master’s candidate from the University of Miami.
  • Cristina Trabada for “Miami Beach Do’s and Don’ts.”’ She is a Miami writer, producer and director.

Each of the selected filmmakers received a $2,500 production budget to make their videos and were invited to the public screening at SoundScape Park, which is located at 400 17 Street. Admission is free for the screening.

“Our partnership with Miami Beach is beneficial for both the community and local filmmakers,” added Dennis Scholl, president and CEO of Oolite Arts, which is a visual arts nonprofit headquartered in Miami Beach that previously sponsored the Save the Bay and Masks Up Miami PSA competitions. “By making funding opportunities available to Miami filmmakers, we are able to support their growth while tapping into their creativity to bring public awareness to the very important environmental work the city is doing.”

Winning Sustainability in Action PSA concepts were selected by a diverse jury of filmmakers and local leaders, including Miami Beach Director of Tourism and Culture Lissette García Arrogante; Miami filmmaker and Save the Bay PSA winner Alexa Caravia; filmmaker and Save the Bay PSA winner Jayme Gershen; award-winning filmmaker Marlon Johnson and former Miami Beach Director Elizabeth Wheaton of the Environment & Sustainability Department.

The program is part of the newly revamped Miami Beach Film Incentive program, which was established to help foster the growth of the local film industry. Generously funded by The Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, the contest was open to anyone who lives in Miami-Dade County.

About Oolite Arts
Oolite Arts helps Miami-based artists advance their careers and inspires the cultural community to engage with their work. Established in 1984, Oolite Arts is both a community and a resource, providing visual artists with the studio space, exhibition opportunities and financial support they need to experiment, grow and enrich the city. Through its educational programming, Oolite Arts helps Miamians learn about contemporary art and develop their own artistic skills.

Exhibitions and programs at Oolite Arts are made possible 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 Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Funding Arts Network and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For more information, visit oolitearts.org. Follow @oolitearts on social media.

About Miami Beach Film Incentive program
Making movies and other film projects in Miami Beach has never been easier. The program includes new guidelines, fewer restrictions and a new incentive program to subsidize productions. Incentives include $10,000 grants with a $25,000 local spend and a minimum of three shoot days in Miami Beach. Click here for more information on the Miami Beach Film & Production Incentive Program.

To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).

Contact

OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575
Melissa Berthier, Email: [email protected]
Paul Scicchitano, Email: [email protected]