The 14th Annual Miami Media and Film Market (MMFM) took place between Sunday, July 14th and Tuesday, July 16th, 2024 at Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. It is presented by CAMACOL, the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States. The event involves business and industry leaders yearly converging in Miami-Dade County for days of “dealmaking, screenings, seminars, networking and parties.” Attendees also include “acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press” and “all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.”
I arrived at the Biltmore approximately twenty minutes before the official five o’clock afternoon start time. Confronted with an unfamiliar but eye-catchingly posh series of rooms, lobbies and hallways, I eventually found the general location for the event after some searching and requested guidance from kindly hotel staff. There was much laying in wait at MMFM this year: receptions exclusively for networking, panels addressing nearly every facet of the creative media industry, one-to-one pitch meetings with industry titans and a film festival which would include the teaser trailer for my 4th film Ask Delphi (available for viewing here) among its lineup. However, I’d like to eschew the usual approach to my blogged accounts of such affairs by turning this instance of one into a tribute to the exceptional professionals, both fledgling and established, I met throughout my two-and-a-half days attending MMFM this year (in alphabetical order):
Writer, producer, director and author Emilia Anguita, who sent me a kind email during the event complimenting my perceived “passion, perseverance and fertile creative flow.”
Distribution company director Gustavo Aparicio, who imparted some shrewd advice for my next film’s marketing approach.
Co-founder and chief executive (MMFM) Patty Arias, whose authority and charisma was well-observed throughout the event.
Executive media consultant and casting director Maria Badillo, who implicitly encouraged me to get onboard with digital business cards.
Executive producer (Critical Thinking) Carla Berkowitz, who shared my substantial positive regard for local film critic and my good friend Ruben Rosario.
Model and actress Olga Bub, who receptively listened to my advice about making feature films.
Actress Natalie Cabo, who was sympathetic to the independent ethos.
Technical support (MMFM) Abhi Chatterjee, who was a Swiss Army Knife of an organizer and lent me his laptop for my impromptu pitch meeting.
Producer, director and editor A.J. Cheaytelli, whose intensity and pragmatism I appreciated along with his fondness for an actress I work with regularly.
Commerce chamber president Joe Chi, who is a proud steward of business opportunities in Miami.
Writer, showrunner and director (9-1-1) Juan Carlos Coto, who succinctly expressed the importance of “momentum and clarity” for writers.
Artistic director and festival programmer Isabel Custer, whose reputation for pushing her wares preceded our first interaction.
Community builder Dana DellaCamera, who was delightful company and happens to be the daughter of my 6th grade geography teacher.
Producer and writer Joe Garcia, who imparted some wisdom about seizing the moment which helped me at a critical juncture at the event.
Film commissioner (Miami-Dade County) Marco Giron, who I gifted a copy of my book 20 Years a Filmmaker at the last MMFM and recalled our past interaction.
Marketing professionals Shari and Jacobi Glatter, who kindly shared their documentary filmmaking ambitions as mother and son.
Producer Travis Grenke, whose manner of conducting the business side of filmmaking I found uncannily similar to my own.
Writer, producer and author Karen Hall, to whom I expressed fondness for the television work of hers I was exposed to growing up.
Insurance company founder and CEO Ruben Hernandez, who's always a warmly welcoming person with whom I’ve engaged in the past despite our differing fields.
Executive producer William Horneck, whose ample sharing of film marketing advice I greatly appreciated.
Director and producer Ryan Justice, whose aptly titled production company Justified Films and success I found intriguing.
Event producer Bobby Ketchup, who was the first person I spoke with at the event and came across as a formidable professional with bold ideas.
Animation creative director Thiago Levy, who is after my own heart with an eye for simplicity and constantly honing one’s craft.
Production company founder Giorgia Lo Savio, who was audience to me in an impromptu one-to-one pitch meeting that went far better than I expected.
Animation executive director Peter Lopez, who was impressed by some artwork of mine I shared with him but insisted that one discipline known well enough is plenty.
Co-founder and creative director (MMFM) Jose Luis Martinez, who ran the event like a seasoned pro while masterfully moderating panels rife with humorous banter.
Producer and writer Javier Mayol, who is an enterprising wearer of many creative hats and who was an absolute pleasure spending a fair amount of time with throughout the event.
Writer and director (Star Trek: Picard) Joe Menendez, who gave me a memorable pep talk at last year’s MMFM and whose every encounter with me only increases my admiration and respect for him.
Entrepreneurial group founder and CEO Rita Mittal, whose reminiscence of attendance at past film festivals and seeing filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino before they became famous I found fascinating.
Writer and director Jose Navas, who directed and edited the best self-contained short film in Miami Projections Film Festival as far as I’m concerned.
Film commissioner (Florida Keys) Chad Newman, who I found a jovial and engaging figure with a mutual friend I regard as one of the best indie filmmakers in the South East.
Hotel sales manager Nenad Novoselski, who had nothing to do with filmmaking but whose acquaintanceship I enjoyed making nonetheless.
Business strategist Camilo Osuna, who I incorrectly approached thinking he was a creative person but later impressed me with his unparalleled preparation for business.
Animation technical director Jonathan Ovalle, who was a man of few words but projected great wisdom and expertise with what he did say.
Writer, producer and director Bridget Perdomo, who responded to my query of whether she was a filmmaker with disarming confidence.
Writer, producer and director Mark Pulaski, who dabbles in both commercial and indie filmmaking worlds and whose opinion on certain industry developments I invited and appreciated.
Composer (Griselda and The Queen’s Gambit) Carlos Rafael Rivera, who knows my long-time musical collaborator and made a sensible distinction between craftsperson and artist.
Writer, producer and director Juliet Romeo, who makes beautiful, relatable art with socially relevant subject matter.
Producer Efren A. Santana, whose business card featured an illustration for a story he described with uncommon passion.
Producer Stephen Sarsfield, who was the only panel audience member to regularly stand up and ask his questions with an utmost regard for decorum.
Writer, producer and director Paul Seligmann, who assailed the lack of business preparation in modern film school education and is inclined toward full-shots in portrait photography.
Writer and director Mariana Serrano, who was a competitor of mine and winner in the sizzle/reel trailer category at Miami Projections Film Festival.
Producer Prashant Shah, who stressed a view I agree with wholeheartedly and eagerly expressed as much to him: Filmmaking is about technology more than passion.
Media company CEO Kevin Sharpley, who endearingly suggested that I should be on a panel at the event given my accomplishments as a feature filmmaker.
Writer and director (Mountains) Monica Sorelle, to whom I defended my idea of “local films in local cineplexes” expressed in a boisterous political statement I made after a local filmmaking panel.
Actress Vaughn-Rian St. James, who I admire for creating media of her own to complement her unique look.
Corporate video producer Paul Vivona, who was seen filming parts of the event as a hired videographer with a workmanship that reminded me that filmmaking is truly about the boots on the ground.
Writer, producer and director William Christopher Watson, who appreciates literacy and impressed me as a highly determined actor-director whose project won multiple awards at the event.
Executive, producer and director Anna Wilding, who gave me her blessing to continue making films with a feminine perspective as a staunch defender of women in film.
Producer and brand strategist Bryan Williams, who shared simple, unpretentious advice about working in concert with local government on film productions.
Film festival director (Miami Film Festival) James Woolley, to whom I gave a signed copy of my book and who assured me that his festival would do more for local filmmakers.
Increasing the size of one’s network, personal and/or professional, is an expanding and enrichment of one’s world. What was presented above only captures a sliver of the profound empathy, camaraderie and wisdom I received and felt throughout my many interactions. In closing, I am extremely grateful to all of the hard-working organizers who produced this year’s stellar event and I look forward to the next edition of MMFM with great enthusiasm!
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