10 Key Insights from the South Florida Film Forum

      In 2013, South Florida filmmakers Eddy Moon, Ronald Baez, Kevin Ondarza, and Ashley Rose faced challenges in making movies. Lacking support from Hollywood, they chose to band together and assist other local creatives by establishing White Elephant Group, a production house and nonprofit aimed at nurturing projects for underserved emerging filmmakers.

      Since then, WEG has produced various feature films, showcased projects at 200 festivals including Tribeca, Slamdance, and the Miami Film Festival, and distributed approximately $250,000 to South Florida projects. Recently, their achievements were prominently featured at the South Florida Film Forum, a well-attended event filled with panels, workshops, and parties produced in collaboration with Broward County, Film Lauderdale, and MAD Arts.

      Around a thousand artists—such as actors, producers, writers, and directors—filled the eclectic MAD Arts immersive arts museum to discuss the filmmaking landscape in the region. MovieMaker was honored to attend and gain insights into a community that adapts quickly to change.

      The atmosphere was electric; notably, a workshop focused on the niche topic of how to distress wardrobe received loud applause that echoed down the hall. (Kudos to workshop leader Logan Moises, a costume designer known for her work on the locally filmed Apple TV show Bad Monkey.)

      Photo by Sasha Hernandez / Jestic.

      South Florida's film and television sector is largely driven by commercial work, but the region also attracts substantial filming for major movies and TV shows. (For instance, during the Film Forum weekend, ABC’s series RJ Decker was filming in the area.) The local scene also boasts a significant number of influencers and, crucially, indie producers embarking on self-generated projects similar to those tackled by the White Elephant team.

      Many Film Forum attendees were working on or planning their own projects while financing their living through studio work. They had a vested interest in South Florida not only continuing to attract industry employers but also cultivating a community that fosters creativity and ambition.

      The South Florida Film Forum panels were generally off the record, yet several participants allowed us to share key takeaways from their discussions. These insights cover broad industry trends regarding verticals and AI as well as specific advice for local actors. For the more private details, attending in person is recommended.

      Benefits of South Florida

      Fort Lauderdale ranks high on MovieMaker’s most recent list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker, attributable to its busy shooting schedule, diverse locations, strong local incentives, and variety of productions.

      Producer Marlis Pujol, who has worked on shows like Mythic Quest, Ballers, True Blood, The Wire, and The Sopranos, pointed out that South Florida's mild weather allowed her team to film nearly everything outdoors during a season of HBO’s Ballers over ten years ago, without needing sound stages.

      “We showcased Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and all the places we filmed,” she noted. “We didn’t have a studio. We filmed on location all season, and the weather was fantastic.”

      They experienced only one rainy day, which coincidentally was scheduled for indoor shooting.

      Although statewide incentives were discontinued a decade earlier, local organizations like Film Lauderdale have significantly stepped up to maintain a strong production environment. Broward County offers up to 30% in rebates and a $10,000 Emerging Filmmakers Grant to support rising resident filmmakers.

      Sandy Lighterman, the film commissioner for Fort Lauderdale, also heads Film Florida, a nonprofit committed to fostering a robust and sustainable film industry in the state.

      Embrace Risk

      A consistent piece of advice for creatives was to embrace bold risks and tell their own stories instead of waiting for approval. Miami-based producer and showrunner Eric Gaunaurd remarked that the industry has significantly advanced in minimizing project risks.

      For example, producers strive to establish built-in audiences by casting popular stars with substantial online followings. However, he noted that this risk mitigation can sometimes create overly cautious projects.

      “You’re all about risk management, but finding balance is essential,” Gaunaurd stated. “In recent years, there’s been an overwhelming focus on de-risking, resulting in fewer bold moves. Some of the greatest films have emerged from those who took creative chances… such daring efforts seem less common today, yet they still occur.”

      Pros and Cons of Verticals

      Verticals were frequently discussed at the South Florida Film Forum, particularly during a panel on Distribution in a Digital Age.

      For those unfamiliar, verticals are lengthy narratives divided into short segments designed for mobile devices.

      This format initially struggled, as seen with Quibi, a now-defunct streaming service launched by Jeffrey Katzenberg and headed by Meg Whitman, which faced multiple issues despite raising over $1.75 billion. It overspent on high-profile creator fees and ultimately sparked little audience interest.

      The current iteration of verticals is different; they typically revolve around relationship or romance themes and often air on platforms like ReelShort, which delivers a few episodes free while requiring payment for others. Most