You have up to one minute to encourage people to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. How would you use it?
About the Program
Oolite Arts and the City of Miami Beach teamed up to launch Sustainability in Action, a public service announcement (PSA) contest to foster the growth of the local film industry.
Miami-Dade based filmmakers and creatives were invited to submit their ideas for a 30-60 second PSA about the various ways in which the City is working to reduce waste through recycling, composting and the reduction of plastic use, all of which play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Ten local filmmakers received $2,500 each to produce their PSAs and they are: Taina Adam, Juan Castaneda, Shana Druckerman, Franco Gonzalez, Daniel Kaplan, Maria Corina Ramirez, Katia Ribeyro, Panchi Sanfuentes, Georgia Stockwell and Cristina Trabada.
The winning PSAs premiered at SoundScape Park Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Through online voting, people voted for their favorite PSA, selecting Franco Gonzalez’s “Trash Monster.” Gonzalez received an additional $1,000 for winning the People’s Choice Award.
Contact
For questions, please send an email to [email protected]
Franco Gonzalez:
Trash Monster
People’s Choice Award $1,000
A sweet, whimsical monster gets its origin story. Beachgoers beware.
Winners
PSA winners $2,500
Cristina Trabada: Miami Beach Do’s and Don’ts
Super Cuban Miami bro, Yurisibel, humorously takes us through the dos and dont’s of being an environmentally sustainable visitor of Miami Beach.
Daniel Kaplan: “Plastic, it’s not a good look”
A Miami Beach resident’s fashion statement is turning heads in all the wrong ways.
Georgia Stockwell: Re/dress
A visual journey through time, Re/dress follows an unmistakable orange shirt as it is first worn in 1950s Miami and then reclaimed in the distinctive spirit of each ensuing generation.
Juan Castaneda: A Drowning
A woman roller skates throughout Miami’s blistering hot streets; while picking up plastic waste for an unknown purpose.
Katia Ribeyro: A Day at the Beach
A playful and beautiful beach scene hides a dark truth behind it.
Maria Corina Ramirez: The Exes
Two exes keep recycling each other.
Panchi Sanfuentes: The Circle of Life
The cycle of the way humans consume affects the quality of life of everyone on the planet.
Shana Druckerman: Join The Club
Everyone on Miami Beach is talking about it: an exclusive club that’s drawing residents from all backgrounds and ages.
Taina Adam: Plastick
A man who recently learned about climate change is eager to reduce his plastic waste, unaware of the ways to reduce his waste he ends up eating his plastic to avoid throwing it away.
Jury
Alexa Caravia, Miami filmmaker and “Save the Bay” PSA winner
Lissette Garcia Arrogante, Director of Tourism and Culture for the City of Miami Beach
Jayme Gershen, Miami filmmaker and “Save the Bay” PSA winner
Marlon Johnson, Award-winning filmmaker
Elizabeth Wheaton, former Director of Sustainability for the City of Miami Beach
FAQs
What is Sustainability in Action?
Sustainability in Action is an initiative that will fund Public Service Announcements, in a cinematic style, no more than one-minute long about recycling, composting and the reduction of plastic use. Through a call for submissions, ten filmmakers/artists will be selected to receive $2,500 each to create their cinematic PSA.
When will applications for Sustainability in Action be accepted?
Applications for Sustainability in Action are open from July 28 – Aug. 16, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply to Sustainability in Action?
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 of Sustainability in Action?
We are looking for Public Service Announcements in cinematic form. That said, Sustainability in Action is open to both experienced and amateur filmmakers, as well as visual artists. Applicants should have outside-the-box ideas to raise awareness about or highlight solutions in which you see Sustainability in Action. The accuracy of information communicated is important and your unique vision is a priority. Final products should not read as traditional advertisements.
Can I pitch a short film that is unrelated to Sustainability in Action?
No. Sustainability in Action 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. Sustainability in Action is only open to filmmakers/artists who reside in Miami-Dade County.
Who decides the winners?
The winners of Sustainability in Action 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?
Sustainability in Action applications close on Aug. 16, 2021 at 6 p.m. and selected proposals will be notified by early September 2021. You will have four weeks to make your PSA and send us the final piece.
What support will I receive?
The top ten 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. We do 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 four weeks to complete their Public Service Announcements. Once winners are notified, all selected works are due to Oolite Arts and the City of Miami Beach by early October 2021.
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 Sustainability in Action work in perpetuity.
Who should I contact with any questions I may have?
Please direct all questions via email to [email protected], or attend one of our information sessions on Aug. 9, 2021.
For questions, please send an email to [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Sponsor
Thank you to the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation for having generously provided funding for this program.
Partner
Presented in collaboration with the City of Miami Beach.
