Community Justice Project + Oolite Arts
In 2020, Oolite Arts partnered with the Community Justice Project to focus on the cinematic storytelling of some of Miami’s most pressing issues. This collaborative model pairs a filmmaker with real community experts, the people closest to the issues and on the front lines, for community-centered storytelling.
For this third iteration of “Pass the Mic: We Will Tell Our Stories” three filmmakers will work with community experts to create new short documentary films spotlighting the community power happening in local collectives and organizations. The filmmakers will have four months to complete the commissioned works, which will be screened in December.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact Cinematic Arts Manager Hansel Porras Garcia at [email protected]
Filmmaker
Pamela Largaespada
Pamela Largaespada is a Nicaraguan-American filmmaker, producer and actor from Miami, Florida. Pamela’s ethos is rooted in latinx representation and unapologetic feminism. As a filmmaker, she is a 2022 ‘WaveMaker’ from Locust Projects x The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, a 2021 Green Space Foundation recipient and a 2020 Sundance Institute Short Film Intensive Fellow & Knight Foundation grantee. Pamela has a TV show and a short film currently in development.
Florida Immigrant Coalition
The Florida Immigrant Coalition is a state-wide coalition that works to build pro-immigrant power, so that Florida is a true home for immigrants and all. At the same time it advocates for parole for the newly arrived, an anti-immigrant bill has made its way through the Florida Legislature. While there is a state of fear among Miami immigrants, the community is fighting back and self advocating in the face of this legislation.
Alexandra Martinez
Alexandra Martinez is a Cuban-American journalist and filmmaker whose reporting spans such topics as the affordable housing crisis, workers’ rights and art-washing, and appears in VICE, Burnaway Magazine, CNN and others. Her housing coverage as the senior news reporter for Prism has been recognized as a finalist for the 2023 Esserman-Knight Awards for public service journalism. She received a B.A. in film studies from Columbia University and has worked on documentary post-production teams including Ken Burns’ “Jackie Robinson” and Frances Negron-Muntaner’s “War for Guam.” She is based in Miami where she lives with her young daughter and enjoys tending to her native pine rockland garden.
Miami Street Medicine
Led by Dr. Armen Henderson, the Miami Street Medicine team works with the houseless providing curbside care for pregnant women, individuals with serious skin conditions and a host of other medical issues that are exacerbated by extreme poverty and lack of access to traditional healthcare.
Chad Tingle
A New Yorker by way of Jamaica brought up in two opposites locales, Chad’s point of view is a result of what these places offer. After receiving a B.S. in communications from the University of Miami, Chad started his career as a director on several documentaries that explore social and cultural issues, such as race-based gentrification, the African American custom of women wearing hats to church services on Sundays, and Miami’s soul music scene in the mid to late 60s.
Chainless Change
Chainless Change is a peer-led, recovery community organization that offers skills, tools and second chances to help people recover from a contact with the criminal justice system. Chainless Change has been following the case of Kevin Desir, who died in police custody during a mental health episode. Chainless Change works closely with the Desir family to ensure their son’s story is investigated, known and not repeated.
2022 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Ronald Baez, “Apart A part”
Aquino, a local Miami tailor in the predominantly Dominican neighborhood of Allapattah, reflects on his personal story of building his tailor shop alongside his wife over two decades.
Community Expert
Fidel Aquino
2022 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Diana Larrea, “Monarcas”
The story of two Guatemalan day laborers in Homestead, FL whose fight against wage theft in their community takes them on a journey of personal transformation.
Community Expert
Alejandro
Community Expert
Pedro
2022 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Terence Price II, “Rooted like a tree”
With a housing crisis on the rise, Miami Workers Center aims to pass the first Tenant Bill of Rights in Miami.
Community Expert
Keisha Guyton
2021 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Alicia Edwards, “Village (Free)dge”
As COVID-19 leaves Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood under siege, two friends tirelessly combat the hunger crisis with community support to keep the Village (Free)dge filled.
Community Expert
Danny Agnew, Roots Collective
Community Expert
Sherina Jones, Village (FREE)dge
2021 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Fxrbes, “Beyond the Bars”
Documenting the injustices at Metro West Detention Center through the eyes of someone with a loved one on the inside
Community Expert
Lizabeth Torres, Beyond the Bars
2021 Filmmakers + Community Experts
Filmaker
Vanessa Charlot, “Final Notice”
In the midst of a global pandemic, substandard housing conditions and then an eviction—one Miami woman wins the fight against her landlord and finds her voice to advocate and educate other tenants on fair housing rights.
Community Expert
Mychelle Bentley, Tenants Rights Organizer
About
Community Justice Project is a group of community lawyers and researchers that supports grassroots organizing for power, racial justice and human rights with innovative lawyering, research and creative strategy tools. Based in Miami, Community Justice Project is deeply and unapologetically committed to Black and brown communities throughout Florida.
