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In times of COVID-19, watching movies outdoors is coming back strong and Deering Estate is leading the trend. Deering Estate, in partnership with the Miami Short Film Festival, will be presenting a variety of films to offer an incredible cinematic experience.
The Miami Short Film Festival is dedicated to promoting the genre of short films, offering up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to present their work. The festival wants to motivate directors, screenwriters, actors, and producers to continue making and perfecting the art form they all love. Guests have the chance to appreciate the films and the creative process behind these projects. So, mark your calendars and grab your friends in order to experience a wide variety of film and art.
Shorts Under the Stars: Animation Sunday, September 19th at 7 PM, gate opens at 5:30 PM
This is the perfect event for all the film lovers out there. A selection of 12 different short films will be presented, all covering different genres and topics. Some examples include Ascension, which is the story of a low-class demon whose destiny is about to change by a mysterious epidemic that strikes hell city. Visitors can bring blankets, lawn chairs, and even picnic baskets to enjoy the views of Palmetto Bay before the screening.
$20 per person, space is limited. Tickets can be purchased through this link: https://www.goelevent.com/MSFF/e/ShortsUndertheStarsANightofAnimation
Miami Short Film Festival: Opening Night Gala Friday, November 12th at 8 PM, gate opens at 6:30 PM and cocktail reception at 7 PM
The opening night gala will kick off the start of the Miami Short Film Festival, a 3-day screening of over 40 shorts. The outdoor screening will allow visitors the chance to bask in the Palmetto Bay sunset. Guests will also be able to enjoy a cocktail hour before watching the opening film. Each film, in typical short film fashion, will last 1-20 minutes, with each second being as gripping as the last.
$25 per person. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala must be purchased online in advance through this link: https://www.goelevent.com/MSFF/e/20thMIAMIsFFOpeningNight
Read more on the program: https://bit.ly/20thMIAMIsFFOpeningNight
Here is an interview with William Vela, the Executive Director and Founder of the Miami Short Film Festival. He discusses his favorite films and the film industry as a whole.
Q: What new experience do you feel that short films have to offer over regular-length films?
A: Short films capture the audience’s attention from beginning to end since they are shorter than feature films. The content is well-thought-out and creates impact being told within a time constraint. Short filmmaking is also a unique format that offers filmmakers the freedom to experiment and be creative. They don’t need to follow the traditional Hollywood established structure of having a beginning, middle, and end to communicate a story, and they don’t face the same commercial pressure as feature films, so they can address more nuanced topics and themes.
Q: Out of all the short films being presented on September 19th, which one is your favorite and why?
A: All these films in this program are fantastic, mainly because they’ve been through a rigorous curation process, but if I’m forced to choose one, I think I’ll go with” I Am Tom Moody”, directed by Ainslie Henderson. It’s a 7-minute claymation animation short from the UK that touches upon the feeling of that scared inner child we all have inside of us.
Q: How has the film industry been changed in the past year with all the precautions regarding COVID-19?
A: The industry did a great job of quickly reacting to the pandemic and developing safety protocols so that they could get back to work. It also allowed for another creative outlet in that people had to create films in “isolation” – using very few crew members, little equipment, and accessible shooting locations. As a festival, we also had to pivot in how we presented the films last year, moving to outdoor settings where people could easily socially distance themselves. People responded really well to this change and we’re excited to experience the films in a new and exciting environment We also discovered that online virtual screenings became more popular, so much so that we are continuing with this new trend in combination with our in-person live events for the future.
Q: What are you most excited about regarding the film industry now that more people are returning to theaters and movie screenings?
A: Film festivals are networking events where people gather to talk about films and the industry in general. Having this environment where you make connections for future projects is an important part of the process. Plus, most filmmakers agree that it is exciting to be able to see the audience’s reaction in real-time at a festival screening, so being able to showcase this wonderful art form in an in-person atmosphere is truly a special thing.
Make sure to add Deering Estate to your list of plans for the end of the year! Experience a valued art form and promote the spirit of cinema by heading on over to these film screenings.
Valeria is a junior at Doral Academy Charter High School. She is currently a Junior Ambassador for Miami Waterkeeper and a Deering Estate intern.
