Meet the PSA Winners
Masks Up, Miami
One-minute PSAs during COVID-19
Masks Up, Miami
How do you convince Miami to mask-up? Five local filmmakers offered their best ideas through Masks Up Miami, a new competition by Oolite Arts to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Their very Miami ideas include using lovesick flamingos, dogs, dancing skeletons, a stripper – and even a true story about a family that will resonate with many.
The five winners received $2,500 to produce their PSAs and they are Avram Dodson, Katja Esson, Carla Jerez, Christopher Lopez and Kenny Riches. Through online voting, Miamians voted for their favorite PSA, selecting Katja Esson’s “The Stripper.” Esson received an additional $1,000 for winning the People’s Choice Award.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact Cinematic Arts Manager Hansel Porras Garcia at [email protected]
Katja Esson
“The Stripper” People’s Choice Award
$1,000
Winners
PSA Winners $2,500
Avram Dodson
“Green Flamingos”
Carla Jerez
“Mask Magic”
Christopher Lopez
“Everybody in my Family got COVID…Except Me”
Kenny Riches
“Stop Spreading the 💩”
Acknowledgements
Honorable Mentions ($1,000)
Alexa Caravia
Brian Butler
Carolina Caruso
Chris Charles
Franco Gonzalez
Jayme Gershen
Otto von Schirach
Jury
Andrew Hevia
Faren Humes
Jason Fitzroy Jeffers
Keisha Rae Witherspoon
Sponsor
Thank you to the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation for having generously provided funding for this program.
FAQs
What is Masks Up?
Masks Up is an initiative that will fund Public Service Announcements, in a cinematic style, no more than one-minute long about preventing the spread of COVID-19 through mask wearing. Through a call for submissions, five filmmakers/artists will be selected to receive $2,500 to create their PSA.
When will applications for Masks Up be accepted?
Applications are now closed.
Who is eligible to apply to Masks Up?
Applicants must be 18 years or older, Miami-Dade County residents and must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
What are you looking for in applicants to Masks Up?
Oolite Arts is looking for Public Service Announcements in cinematic form. That said, Masks Up is open to both experienced and amateur filmmakers, as well as visual artists. Applicants should have outside-the-box ideas to encourage Miami-Dade residents to wear their masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The accuracy of information communicated is important and your unique vision is a priority. Final products should not read as traditional advertisements.
I have an idea for a feature documentary. Can I submit that?
No. Masks Up is looking for Public Service Announcements that are proposed to run between 30 seconds and one minute long.
I have already started working on a short film on this subject. Can I submit it?
You are eligible to submit a work in progress. However, all judging will be based on the application guidelines. The proposed PSA must run between 30 seconds and one minute long.
Are filmmakers/artists from Broward or Monroe counties eligible to apply?
No. Masks Up is only open to filmmakers/artists who reside in Miami-Dade County.
Who decides the winners?
The winners of Masks Up Open Call will be determined by a jury of nationally-recognized film professionals with expertise in documentary filmmaking and local leaders.
When will the winners be announced?
Masks Up applications close on Sept. 8, 2020 at 6 p.m. and selected proposals will be notified by late-Sept. 2020. You will have two weeks to make your PSA and send Oolite Arts a final piece.
What support will I receive?
The top five proposals will be awarded $2,500 each to complete their proposed Public Service Announcement. These filmmakers/artists are responsible for securing their own production crew. Oolite Arts does not cover housing, travel or visa costs for participating cast and crew.
How long do I have to complete my PSA?
Selected proposals will have two weeks to complete their Public Service Announcements. Once winners are notified, all selected works are due to Oolite Arts by early Oct. 2020.
How many applications can I submit?
As many as you like, though we’d suggest no more than three. Give us your strongest and most focused material.
Will Oolite Arts own the rights to my film?
No. Each winning filmmaker/artist retains all ownership and rights to their completed film. The artist gives Oolite Arts, The City of Miami Beach and other partners in this initiative a nonexclusive license to show the masks up work in perpetuity.
Who should I contact with any questions I may have?
Please direct all questions via email to Cinematic Arts Manager Danielle Bender at [email protected], or attend one of our information sessions on Aug. 26, or Sept. 3, 2020.
Contact
For questions, please contact Cinematic Arts Manager Danielle Bender [email protected].
