2027 Cinematic Resident
Special Jury Mentions
Two additional projects received a Jury Mention and will each receive a $500 award, along with additional mentorship from Oolite Arts Cinematic alumni to continue developing their projects:
Joshua Jean-Baptiste — Djon Djon – The Black Mushroom
Gerard Shaka — Wilton Manners
Finalists
Two additional projects were selected among the Top 5 and received strong recognition from the jury. The filmmakers will receive written feedback from the jurors to support the continued development of their projects:
Allison Oddman — Nine Night
XF Serrano — The Self Is A Project
2027 Cinematic Residency Program
Founded in 2019, the Oolite Arts Cinematic Residency program was created to support Miami-based filmmakers in the development and completion of independent feature films rooted in South Florida, through financial support, mentorship, studio access, and professional production resources. Centered on microbudget filmmaking, the program encourages artists to create bold, meaningful cinema with creativity, rigor, and resourcefulness.
Since its founding, the residency has supported the production of six feature films and more than 30 short films, many of which have screened at major national and international festivals, earning awards and recognition while amplifying the voices of Miami’s diverse filmmaking community.
Beyond film production, the residency fosters a lasting creative network through mentorship, public programs, screenings, and artist conversations that strengthen connections between filmmakers and audiences. For many residents, the program is not simply a professional opportunity, but the foundation that made their first feature film possible.
The Oolite Arts Cinematic Residency supports South Florida filmmakers in the transition from short-form work to their first feature-length films by providing the resources, mentorship, and professional support necessary to develop and produce ambitious microbudget cinema.
Rooted in creativity, resourcefulness, and action, the program empowers filmmakers to create meaningful cinematic work within real-world production limitations. Through financial support, mentorship, studio access, post-production resources, and continued guidance beyond the residency period, Oolite Arts fosters artistic growth, project completion, and community engagement while elevating local voices within national and international film culture.
Contact
Hansel Porras Garcia
[email protected]
305-674-8278 Ext. 316
2026 Cinematic Arts Residents
Special Jury Mentions
Filmmakers Kevin Ondarza and Hunter Osking were selected as Special Jury Mentions and will receive $1,000 each towards their film projects.
2024 Cinematic Arts Resident
Special Jury Mentions
Two filmmakers received Special Jury Mentions and will receive $1,000 towards their film projects. They are Malu Anavitarte and Juan Barquin
2023 Cinematic Arts Resident
Chris Molina
After flunking out of college, Alex begrudgingly returns to his childhood home in Miami. With a new adult perspective and a massive hurricane threatening to sweep it all away, he’s forced to reevaluate his hatred for Miami.
Emma Cuba
Through eight tales of newfound love, destruction, mysticism, and the ebb and flow in between, the Florida Everglades is revealed to us, teaching us valuable life lessons in a landscape that is just as brutal as it is delicate.
2022 Cinematic Arts Resident
Greko Sklavounos
Sklavounos will use the residency to make a debut micro-budget narrative film about a man who must confront nature after his grandfather comes to him as a spirit. Learn more.
Special Jury Mentions
Four filmmakers received Special Jury Mentions, and will receive $1,000 towards their film projects. They are Michael Ruiz-Unger, Giancarlo Loffredo, Mimi Davila and Ronald Baez.
2021 Cinematic Arts Project
Hansel Porras Garcia
On her 64th birthday, Zoe, a Cuban widow exiled in Miami, receives the unexpected visit of Helena, her childhood best friend, after more than 40 years without seeing each other. When one of them confesses to be gay, they both have to reconsider their friendship.
Awards
- 2023 Knight Made in MIA Award – Miami Film Festival
Official Selections
- 2023 Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival
- 2023 Los Angeles Queer Film Festival
2021 Cinematic Arts Resident
Special Jury Mentions
Four filmmakers received Special Jury Mentions, and will receive $1,000 toward their film projects. They are Jayme Gershen, Franco Gonzalez, Javier Labrador and Brenna Haragan.
2020 Cinematic Arts Projects
Faren Humes
Humes will use the residency to expand her much-celebrated short film “LIBERTY,” focused on Miami’s Liberty Square housing complex, into a feature narrative film. Learn more.
Edson Jean
Desperate to send money to her family back in Haiti, hardworking and exhausted nurse Ludi Alcidor spends a chaotic day battling coworkers, clients, and an impatient bus driver as she chases the American dream in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.
Awards
- Best Film 2022 Newark Black Film Festival
- Best Actress 2021 RiverRun International Film Festival
- Best Actress 2021 Loudoun Arts Film Festival
- Rising Director and Lead Actor 2021 Atlanta Film Festival
Official Selections
- 2021 SXSW
- 2021 Bentonville Film Festival
- 2021 Miami Film Festival
2020 Cinematic Arts Residents
Special Jury Mentions
Four filmmakers received Special Jury Mentions, and will receive $1,000 toward their film projects. They are Carla Forte, Hansel Porras Garcia, Mark Pulaski and Danny Rosenberg.
2019 Cinematic Arts Projects
Xavier Medina
A five year old girl living in a Miami trailer park has a mission… to somehow get to the beach and see the ocean for the first time.
Awards
Official Selections
Monica Sorelle
A Haitian demolition worker is faced with the realities of redevelopment as he is tasked with dismantling his rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
Awards
Official Selections











