Dana Keith, Director of the Miami Beach Cinematheque and founder of the Miami Beach Film Society, talks about the value of art theaters, the unique vibe of his cinema/museum, and how to make a life’s work from love of movies.
Category Archives: Interviews & Profiles
Five Questions: Pierina Hidalgo
Intern and aspiring filmmaker, Pierina Hidalgo, talks about her work for the film studies program and her plans for the future. She believes that there are unique lessons in internships that students do not encounter in a traditional classroom. We asked her all about them.
Five Questions: Craig McGill
Craig McGill is English department advisor, film studies professor, and advises the Film Club at FIU. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he has published on Disney and Sweeny Todd. We talked about movie scores, his Queer Cinema course, and how the musical saved Disney. Continue reading Five Questions: Craig McGill
Five Questions: Igor Shteyrenberg of Popcorn Frights
“Never lose a holy curiosity,” says the co-director of Popcorn Frights, Miami’s first and only horror film festival.
One of the most prominent figures in the Miami film scene, Igor Shteyrenberg is filled with boundless energy . A graduate of USC’s film school, Igor worked on the Miami International Film Festival before moving on to becoming the youngest ever director of the Miami Jewish Film Festival. Igor believes, above all, that the films a community is exposed to are powerful tools for bonding. We had the opportunity to ask him five questions about his latest project: Popcorn Frights, Miami’s first horror film festival.
Well, to start us off, why a genre-specific film festival? And why Horror? Continue reading Five Questions: Igor Shteyrenberg of Popcorn Frights
Filmmaker Profile: Danniel Rodriguez
Former Film Studies student, Danniel Rodriguez talks about winning the MFDP grant, his work on the Oscar-buzz-generating Moonlight, and how FIU students can break into the biz.
Danniel Rodriguez graduated from FIU in 2015. He has recently won a Miami Film Development Project grant for his second narrative short, Habana Boxing Club, currently in pre-production. Only 24, Danniel has a growing relevance in the local film scene, evidenced by his work on HBO’s Ballers and the Miami-based film Moonlight, which premiered to rave reviews and Oscar whispers at the Toronto Film Festival. He shared his experience with us and offered his advice on career development.
Diliana Alexander: Professor, Filmmaker, and Producer
Diliana Alexander, producer, independent filmmaker, and the executive director of FilmGate, is challenging film studies students in her Magic Realism in Eastern European Cinema class. The students are enthusiastic and have been able to approach her with the ideas they have for making films and other projects.
FilmGate is a nonprofit organization that supports independent filmmakers and actors in Florida. They’re holding a creative conference in February that explores how new technology influences the future of storytelling like virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and mixed media.
I had the privilege to interview Professor Alexander this week. She has advice on the art of filmmaking and production for FIU students. Continue reading Diliana Alexander: Professor, Filmmaker, and Producer