Miami World Cinema Center Chief Creative Officer Josh Miller checks in with a preview of the upcoming Borscht Film Festival, a sneak peak at the financing of a locally shot film and a report from the Tunis International Film Festival.

Last week “What the Tide Brought in,” one of the 6 commissioned films from the Borscht Film Festival was shot at Haulover Beach and the City of Miami Marina. This was a special film amongst the 5 others because the young director, Jonathan David Kane, 25, has been working in the Miami film industry since he was 15. The $5,000 budget (provided by MWCC) would usually allow for just underwater shots, 15 Haitian extras, and a stormy boat scene hard to capture. However, Jonathan used his industry relationships to call in favors and create an $80,000 production. The Borscht Film Festival (est. 2005) is Miami’s fresh local independent film fest. It is a yearly event held at iconic Miami venues that commissions and showcases films created by young emerging artists telling Miami stories that go beyond the typical portrayal of the city as a beautiful but vapid party town, forging the cinematic identity of the city. The festival will be held on Nov. 28th and we are working diligently on securing additional finances to hold it in the Gusman Theater.

In other news Patrick de Bokay, CEO & Maria Lanao, Communications Director have just returned from a successful trip to Tunisia and the Tunis International Film Festival where MWCC was appointed to create and program a unique selection of 19 films by female filmmakers. MWCC also handled press, publicity and screening logistics. MWCC has created its first international bridge and come January will screen this special program as well as films from Tunisian filmmakers in Miami.