Many leave their hometowns for Hollywood, wide-eyed and hopeful, ready to make movies and to become stars. But for the rest of us, the ones who prefer to stick around their haunts or simply enjoy the scenery and atmosphere that Miami provides, there's some pretty cool filmmaking and screening options. Most notably, there's Indie Film Club Miami and their monthly screening program I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A. (or NOLA for short).
It's a blunt statement to make, but it's one that Miami filmmakers can proclaim proudly as they present their short film works to audiences that may or may not be on the same page. Whether one is up-and-coming or already well-established in the Miami film community, NOLA is the perfect place to show off whatever kind of work you're trying to do. But it's not just for filmmakers, as anyone can step into the fun-filled screening scenario that IFCM provides for the audience as well.
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"I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A. has a tongue in cheek title, but Indie Film Club Miami has a very precise goal. We want to discourage the exodus of talent from South Florida and encourage and support the creation of local projects -- be it short films, feature films or transmedia projects," states IFCM's executive director Diliana Alexander. "We know that building community is the first step; next comes providing a space and resources for local talent to thrive and collaborate."
NOLA's screening events aren't simply dedicated to just showing short films; that'd be too laid-back and nowhere near as fun as what the monthly event offers. They offer local comedians and Miami-based musicians a platform to perform before the films begin, and give the folks who made the shorts a chance to participate in a Q&A before getting pummeled with stuffed animals if they're the audience favorite.
October's edition of NOLA features films Artificio Conceal, Family, Fellowman, Sabina, 1134, and Purgatory, whose directors will be on hand for participation and discussions of the work.
While the screenings are monthly, some of them come with themes. March was dedicated to female filmmakers, and comedy took over April, but with October and Halloween coming, it's clear what the ghastly theme will be: horror. The month's screening will be dedicated to thrilling with what will hopefully be an exciting variety of horror shorts, and if you're a filmmaker with plans of making one, or a chilling work already set and done, here's some good news: Submissions are open for anyone with a film that's 25 minutes or less.
So hop to it, Miami film enthusiasts. Drop on by O Cinema Wynwood on October 1 at 6:30 p.m. for NOLA and get a glimpse of what your kind of people are making here and support your local film community. For the aspiring artists out there, IFCM and WebLift will host the Ultimate Social Media Workshop on Saturday, October 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Author and entrepreneur Pedro Sostre and marketing buff Andrea Mendoza will teach participants how to effectively market themselves and their creative products. Tickets for the workshop cost $25 for ICFM members and $35 for nonmembers.
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