Film Festivals are a great place to spend time if you are a lover of great cinema. These festivals are home to some of the best in independent film making. Free from the restrictions and sky-high expectations of major studios, the writers and directors are able to explore their creative sides and come up with things unlike most of what you would see in a movie theater. The City of Miami is home to one of these great festivals.

The Miami International Film Festival is still going strong, and the cultural diversity of the city has made it a perfect showcase for film makers from around the world. With over 70,000 people attending last year, it is a great venue for these film makers to show off their talents and network with other film makers, producers and other people in the industry.

The Florida festival is also a place to attend some great workshops related to film making and the industry in general. One of last year’s topics was “The Student’s Guide to Entering the Creative Industry”. This seminar was a must for any film major looking to learn about the business. With speakers from MTV networks, the University of Miami, and the Warner Channel, students were sure to be getting the best information available. For the amateur looking to go pro, there was a seminar called “Agents, Packaging and Financing: At What Stage Do I look For Representation?” and “Pitch to the Pros- Writing Treatments that Sell”, and more.

Entering this festival has been a stepping stone for many people. The film Mississippi Chicken premiered at the 2007 festival and has been nominated for a Gotham Award. The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, which premiered in 2005, was recently nominated for “Best Documentary” at the 28th Annual News and Documentary Emmys. Other films to premiere at the festival have gone on to find distribution deals and even get nominated for Oscar Awards! “Thank You for Smoking”, which premiered in 2006, was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Film makers have the chance to win big cash prizes in several categories: World Features, Ibero-American Features, World and Ibero-American Documentaries and Short Films. In celebration of the considerable Hispanic population of Miami, the festival also has something called “Miami Encuentros”. This program allows producers from various Hispanic countries to show their work to Americans in the Industry and lasts three days.

If you are looking for a little culture and education during your stay in Miami, the Miami International Film Festival is a wonderful choice. It gives guests the opportunity to see some of tomorrow’s award winners today. It also gives the budding film maker all the information they could need to pursue their dream, as well as make contacts that will be valuable later on. MIFF also has many opportunities for those looking to volunteer, wanting an internship, or for those who want to help support the arts financially. To read more about all these opportunities, visit the website at www.miamifilmfestival.com

Planning to attend the Miami International Film Festival? Yes, you should plan ahead starting NOW! As with many big events in Miami, the city gets packed during this event and most accommodations will be bursting. There are many websites providing online Miami hotel reservations that can be really resourceful. Besides, there are many Miami vacation condos and Miami vacation homes around for travelers looking forward a different kind of accommodation. Having so many options, do not pay more than you have to by making your reservations as soon as possible.