Miami Ranks Among MovieMaker 2005 Top 10 Cities for Independent Filmmakers

Miami Ranks Among MovieMaker 2005 Top 10 Cities for Independent Filmmakers

MIAMI, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're a budding or established independent filmmaker looking to get your big break or even reinvent yourself in the filmmaking industry, then assemble a production crew and make that script come to life in Miami. That advice is according to the editors of MovieMaker, who in its winter 2005 edition, evaluated the top ten best cities for independents to live and make movies. Miami-Dade County, with its supporting cast of top-billing attributes such as its weather, locations, film festivals and infrastructure, secured the number eight position in the well- known trade publication.

Unranked in five previous editions of the publication's Top Ten listings, Miami surged to number eight on the prestigious list after editors of MovieMaker talked with writers, directors, film scouts, film office representatives and dozens of other "in-the-know" moviemakers about Miami's celluloid friendly features.

"We're absolutely ecstatic about the news," said Jeff Peel, director of the Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment. "Last year was a banner year for film production in Miami-Dade County, with 14 independent films made here accounting for almost $20 million in local production expenditures. This ranking provides further validation of our destination as a movie-making stronghold."

"What we have in Miami, along with the weather, culture and dynamic location that so many filmmakers find appealing, is an accommodating community that truly understands the value of film production," commented Graham Winick, the City of Miami Beach's Film and Print Coordinator. "An independent film by Cornerstone Pictures called 'Retirement' starring Rip Torn, George Segal and Peter Falk was here for about two weeks. We had several agencies working closely together to assist with the needs of the production crew and anticipate that everyone was pleased with our efforts."

"This should boost the development of the independent filmmaker community here in Miami," said Robert Parente, director, City of Miami Office of Film, Arts and Entertainment. "We have to make the best of this opportunity and continue to be innovative and strategic in offering filmmakers the resources and incentives needed to remain a viable filmmaking locale year in and year out."

For journalists interested in interviewing locally based Miami filmmakers or filmmakers currently shooting or screening films in Miami-Dade County about their reactions to Miami's ranking in the MovieMaker Top Ten list, please contact:

Annie Perez
Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment
305.375.3288

Robert Parente
City of Miami Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment
305.860.3823

Graham Winick
City of Miami Beach Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment
305.673.7070



The Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment's mission is to establish Miami-Dade County as a leading film and entertainment production capital. Our goal is to provide service and assistance to film, television, music, commercial production and still-photography businesses in order to promote industry expansion and economic prosperity.


Source: Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment

CONTACT: Annie Perez, Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment,
+1-305-375-3288; or Richard Gibbs, Kelley Swofford Roy Inc, +1-305-444-0004,
ext. 3014, for Miami-Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment

Web site: http://www.ksrteam.com/


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