MIAMI WORLD CINEMA CENTER – THE FIRST NON-PROFIT FILM STUDIO
Miami World Cinema Center (MWCC aka The Center) is the first non-profit film studio, based in Miami, supported by the community and dedicated to local talent. On December 1st, 2008 the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recognized the Center as a recipient for its 2008 inaugural Knight Arts Challenge grant. MWCC’s members, staff, and affiliates are passionate about filmmaking; they believe in the prevailing art of filmmaking as an educational, historical and entertainment medium. The major components of The Center are to seek and cultivate creative talent, supplement film education, promote and sustain local filmmakers and develop projects for production. MWCC has dedicated itself to transforming Miami into a center for global cinema by functioning as a studio, which facilitates working relationships with local talent and professionals in the field. MWCC strives to impart on its filmmakers the dedication required to create high quality moving images. Ultimately, the goals of the Center are to create local job opportunities within one of America’s strongest economic engines, the film industry, and to increase the use and f=growth of existing South Florida production resources for local talent. Since 2008, MWCC has created over 50 jobs in production, graphic design, program development, administration, communication and fundraising, worked with over 20 local institutions, and directly impacted over 3,000 people in the community. MWCC has assisted in the production of 12 short films, 2 feature length motion pictures, 2 music videos, 1 feature documentary, 5 commercials and over 14 public service announcements. Films supported by the center have traveled throughout the world and screened at local, national and international festivals, receiving awards, prizes and kudos from the industry.

PATRICK de BOKAY – PRODUCER
Founder & CEO of MWCC, with over 30 years of experience in the film industry, media and advertising world, Patrick de Bokay possesses a cornucopia of business and creative film industry knowledge that fuels his passion and dedication in realizing the dreams and visions of independent filmmakers. His philosophy rests on a commitment to the community that operates on a modern social enterprise model to raise production value in Miami’s independent filmmaking sector. Fueled by the energy of a unique multicultural metropolis, de Bokay is inspired by the extraordinary and vibrant creative talent of Miami. As a member of the Floridian film industry, he is an active board member of the Coral Gables Cinemateque, Florida Film Production Coalition, Digital Media Alliance Florida and the Camacol Media and Film Market. He is also a professor at St. Thomas University and University of Miami.

 

JOSE LUIS MARTINEZ – CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Jose Luis Martinez began his career in the Miami modeling industry as a booker for both local and international models and actors before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in motion pictures. In L.A., Jose Luis spent the better part of four years on a motion picture desk at International Creative Management (ICM) one of the leading “power brokers” of Hollywood’s Motion Picture Production Department, which represents award winning below-the-line talent. Jose Luis is currently Creative Director at the Miami World Cinema Center, the first non-profit film studio, helping enhance and promote the art of filmmaking in Miami. Jose Luis is a native of Miami and fluent in English and Spanish. He graduated with honors from the University of Miami’s School of Communcation double majoring in Motion Pictures and Theater Arts.

 

 

DANIELL ‘DANNI’ WASHINGTON – PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Daniell “Danni’ Washington is the founder and CEO of ‘The Big Blue & You Foundation’ which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that aims to inspire and empower youth to become stewards of our oceans and Earth through the arts and visual media (www.thebigblueandyou.org). BB&Y’s latest and most exciting project was developed after teaming up with MWCCto implement the ‘One Water Workshop’ which is a unque filmmaking workshop that provides students with knowledge and first-hand experience in narrative filmmaking to raise awareness about the extremely important role of water here on our blue planet. The participating students write, film and edit their own public service announcements. Based on this successful model, Danni is now serving as the education program director for the Miami World Cinema Center and most recently, led the production coordination for Momentum Miami’s inter-generational oral history project. her ultimate goal is to engage young people within our global community to become vessels for change using visual arts and media as a tool to express their thoughts about relevant social issues.

 

 

ASHLEY AROSTEGUI – MENTOR FILM DIRECTOR
A Miami native, Ashley has long been interested in film and possibilities of documentary as a storytelling medium. She recently complete her MA in Media Studies at The New School in New York City, an integratedcourse of study that emphasized both media theory and production. She also holds degrees in English and History from Florida International University. Ashley is currently working on an oral history project to record the stories of her family members, as well as pursuing work in education and the arts to share her passion for film and philosophy with others.

 

 

PAULA ECHEVARRIA – MENTOR FILM DIRECTOR
Paula Echevarria is an award-winning multimedia producer. She graduated from the University of Miami with a Master of Arts degree in Multimedia Journalism that culminated with a thesis multimedia documentary website on the lives of Fisherwomen in the Louisiana Bayou dealing with the BP oil disaster. She won an Online News Association Journalism Award for her work on malnourished children of Kenya. She attained her bachelors in Broadcast Production/Photojournalism from Loyola University New Orleans. While there, she was the leading intern for WGNO ABC 26 news and worked as a T.A. for one of National Geographic’s photo camps after hurricane Katrina. Her freelance work has been published in the Miami New Times and Miami Yelp.com Echevarria currently works for Telemundo’s morning show ¡Levantate! as a segment producer/graphics coordinator.

 

 

 

PEDRO MENDEZ – MENTOR FILM DIRECTOR
A Miami native, Pedro’s passion is film and filmmaking. He graduated from Miami International University of Art and Design with a Bachelor in Film and Digital Production. Pedro feels very fortunate to be a part of this oral history project and has enjoyed meeting a great group of people. He looks forward to using his experiences with the Momentum Miami project in many upcoming projects!

 

 

 

TONY MENDEZ – MENTOR FILM DIRECTOR
Tony is the first-generation American and moved to Miami at age six. Tony’s parents were born in Cuba and his father, Alvaro, is a former political prisoner who conspired against Fidel Castro. Tony received an Associates Degree in Arts with Highest Honors from Miami-Dade College in 2009. He has graduated from the University of Miami in May 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Communicationl majoring in Motion Pictures and Psychology. Tony is currently interning at the Miami World Cinema Center.