Editor

It was a week full of vibrancy and excitement on Miami Beach as the Miami short Film Festival celebrated its 10th Anniversary. The Festival's celebration began Saturday, Nov. 12th, with an unforgettable Kick-Off Party at the Vagabond. The following day, Sunday, November 13th, MsFF presented two events simultaneously. The Children's Program, "Tell Me a Story", in partnership with the Miami Children's Museum - a long standing tradition of screening delightful selections of Sunday shorts that were enjoyed by all ages attending the museum. The Festival's Outreach Program, "Tomorrow's Filmmakers Today", was sold out at the refurbished facilities of the historic Miami Beach Cinematheque. This signature series consisted of screening the work of South Florida cinematography students. This year's winner was selected by the audience using a ballot system and was announced at the Festival's Official Award Ceremony.

The Festival's Red Carpet official Opening Night was held Monday, November 14th at the landmark Colony Theater on Lincoln Road. Screenings featured a retrospective lineup of handpicked short classics from the past 10 years of programming ranging from animations to heartbreaking dramas. Following Opening Night screenings, Director William Vela, was pleasantly surprised by City Commissioner, Michael Gongora, who presented Mr. Vela with a City of Miami Beach Proclamation proclaiming November 14, 2011 as "Official Miami short Film Festival Day" in Miami Beach.

The rest of the week followed with two nightly screenings at the Colony, gaining momentum, as well as audience numbers throughout the week with a powerful selection of over 80 unique shorts from around the world. Other highlights throughout the week included: "Latin Files" with special guest, Emmy-winning journalist and Hispanic television personality, Neida Sandoval; Presentation and Special Screening of MsFF's first "cell fest" winner, Feliz Pugga, who directed "Rompiendo con Carcamo", a short which was shot entirely with the use of a cell phone. This first festival took place in Panama and many more will follow as MsFF will be taking its sister festival, "cell fest" around the world. After immersions of delightful films from around the globe, both film lovers and filmmakers hobnobbed at nightly after-parties at some of South Beach's hottest night spots. In addition, MsFF presented the following daily Seminars at Books & Books/Design Within Reach: Screenwriting for Short Films with Crissa-Jean Chappell and Rolando Viñas; Independent Producing with Director/Producer Billy Corben; Video Camera Workshop with Midtown Video's Jesse Miller; Editing with Avid and Final Cut Pro Editors Oscar Graterol and Ariel Rubalcava; Entertainment Law: How to protect your work with Faudlin Pierre.

On November 19, 2011, the final day of the festival, MsFF presented the sold-out, "I am Not Going To Move to LA" event which was added to this year's program in support of Miami's local talent. The Festival's goal year after year has been to continue supporting Miami's local talent. MsFF stalked, wrestled and pillaged our city for its short films and presented them at O Cinema with Special Guest Fernando Perdomo of Forward Motion Records. The films chosen were an intoxicating mix of local favorites led by "Best Local Short" winner Juan Castañeda's "The Grownup Dolls", which was chosen by an enthusiastic audience vote. Later that night, a select group of festival patrons gathered at the Colony Theater to cheer on their Festival favorites as they were announced by influential members of the Miami arts community and film industry.


The Miami Short Film Festival has always attracted some of the best short films the world has to offer. Many of the films went on to win an Academy Award, or were best shorts at Sundance and the Berlinale. This year a record number of filmmakers flew from all corners of the globe to see their films screen and accept their awards including:
"Best Cinematography" winner, Satoshi Fuji, from Japan to represent his film "Lunchtime."
"Best Foreign Short" winner, Andrea Marini, from Italy to represent his film "Il Rumore della Neve"
"Best Experimental Short" winner, "A Finger, Two Dots, Then Me," accepted by Producer, David Holechek.
"Best Animated Short" winner "Worlds Apart," accepted by Animation Supervisor, Dave Perry.
"Best Environmental Short," "Fjord," accepted by the Norwegian Tourism Bureau.
"Special Jury Prize" winner, Ali Scher, for her film "The Maiden and the Princess."
"Best Narrative Short", Seo Yun Hong, from Korea to represent her film "Teamwork"

Winners of other categories include: "Best Documentary Short" winner, Robert James, for his film "Assembly of Dust." This milestone year of the Festival saw many firsts. A soon to be long lasting tradition, winners not present at the Award Ceremony sent in video acceptances of their awards. For the first time in MsFF's history an animation film was chosen as "Best Of the Festival" - and this award went to Christopher Jarvis, for his animated short "The Birds Upstairs." Two new categories were added this year: "Best Cell Phone Short" winner, J.W. Griffiths, for his film "Split Screen: A Love Story" and "Best Music Video" winner, Nicolaii Aass, for his music video "Bull Under My Skin."

True to its form, MsFF concluded with a draw-dropping after party at Lincoln Center, complete with fire-dancers, stilt-walkers, multi-screen media shows, and a variety of impromptu live percussion performances. Our gratitude to the numerous partners and sponsors for making this our 10th year Anniversary the best festival ever!!!

Breaking News!!!! One of the films screened at our 10th anniversary has been chosen to screen at Sundance Film Festival, "Tooty's Wedding", directed by Fred Casella.

The Miami Short Film Festival (MsFF), the first of its kind in South Florida, has become a launching point for original scripts, cutting edge film techniques, innovative perspectives, and unique pieces of true expression caught on film. With a philosophy that today's short films lead to tomorrow's world-renowned filmmakers, the festival has become a powerful cultural outlet for voice of South Florida and has created a positive influence on the arts through film. To learn more about MsFF visit us at Miami short Film Festival.