Entertainment
Knight Foundation awards grant to Miami Film Festival as part of a $37 million investment in the arts!
MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami film scene received another tremendous boost this past Monday. As part of a new $37 million investment in the arts, the Knight Foundation dedicated at least $4 million of that toward “making film general in Miami”, to paraphrase the Foundation’s mission to make art general in Miami, a project begun in 2007 that continues to display spectacular results.
Included is a five-year renewal of a commitment to sponsor two of Miami Film Festival’s signature awards. The biggest news is the announcement of major changes to the Knight Made in MIA Award. This Award, inaugurated at the 35th edition of Miami Film Festival earlier this year, will now offer the same amount as the Knight MARIMBAS Award – $40,000 – to two jury-selected films of any genre that tell South Florida stories (from West Palm to the Keys) shot on location in South Florida. The surge of cinematic Miami storytelling excitement rocketed in 2016 with the release (and Oscar win) of Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight and has continued with great new programs encouraging the production of Miami stories, including Art Center South Florida’s Cinematic Arts Residency program (also awarded a Knight grant on Monday).
Knight Foundation Awards Ceremony held at Pérez Art Museum Miami
With Knight Foundation’s new support, Miami Film Festival dramatically raises the stakes for the best of our new South Florida movies to collectively appear together on an international competition stage, alongside acclaimed contemporary works such as Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War, Lee Chang-dong’s Burning and Ali Abbasi’s Border, for our filmmakers to be seen and noticed by their fellow artists, industry personnel and press from all over America and the world. Miami Film Festival wants to make South Florida film general – all over the world!
The new $40,000 Made in MIA Award will award $30,000 to the jury-selected best feature film (narrative, experimental or documentary) and $10,000 to the best short film of 30 minutes or less (any genre).
KNIGHT MADE IN MIA AWARD 2018: Cassandra Keith, lead cinematographer of Gladesmen, accepts the award for Best Film on behalf of producers David Abel and Andy Laub
Just as exciting is Knight Foundation’s renewal of the Festival’s top competition category, newly rechristened the Knight MARIMBAS Award. This Award will annually give $40,000 cash to the jury-selected feature film that best exemplifies richness and resonance for cinema’s future. Named after the visionary 2011 film that won this award, Julio Hernandez Cordon’s Marimbas from Hell, the award is a beacon to forward-thinking international filmmakers making the– emphasizing Miami as an important destination for the appreciation of the year’s most important new cinema.
Films nominated for the Knight MARIMBAS Award in 2019 include the aforementioned Cold War, Burning and Border. The complete list of nominees will be announced when the Festival unveils its full program in late January.
Central Florida News
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando
Entertainment
USF Credit Union Named Presenting Sponsor of ‘Rainbow To Your Door’ With $5,000 Challenge Match Grant
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The production team behind Rainbow To Your Door announced that USF Credit Union has joined the upcoming theatrical production as its Presenting Sponsor, accompanied by a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant aimed at encouraging community support and helping fully fund the project.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to arts, education, and community engagement across Central Florida. Organizers say the challenge grant will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, helping expand public access and educational opportunities connected to the production.
Original Play Celebrates Florida’s Artistic Legacy
Rainbow To Your Door is an original stage production written by Los Angeles-based playwright Kenneth Brown. The play is inspired by the historic friendship and artistic exchange between acclaimed author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and artist Jules André Smith.
Set in 1938 at the historic Maitland Art Center, the production explores the challenges, triumphs, and purpose of artists navigating a rapidly changing world while preserving their creative voices.
“This partnership represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment in storytelling, culture, and preserving the legacy of artistic voices that helped shape Florida’s creative identity,” Brown said. “We are incredibly grateful to USF Credit Union for believing in this vision and helping us create meaningful community impact through the arts.”
Challenge Match Campaign Aims to Fully Fund Production
As part of the sponsorship, USF Credit Union will provide a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant to encourage community participation and charitable giving. Production organizers say that once the matching goal is reached, Rainbow To Your Door will be fully funded.
Donations generated through the campaign will support expanded accessibility initiatives, educational programming, community outreach, and audience engagement efforts associated with the production.
“USF Credit Union is proud to support initiatives that enrich the communities we serve,” said Rick Skaggs, CEO of USF Credit Union. “Rainbow To Your Door reflects the power of culture, education, and the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen community connections.”
Production Scheduled for October 2026
Media relations and promotional efforts for the production are being coordinated by Fierce Entertainment.
Rainbow To Your Door is scheduled for Oct. 10–11, 2026, at the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando.
Additional information regarding ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the community challenge campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.
Media Contact:
Rob Henlon
Fierce Entertainment
rob@alwaysfierce.com
For sponsorship information and production updates, visit Rainbow To Your Door.
Central Florida News
FNN Honors Teen Reporter Isabella Schmitt as She Graduates and Pursues Communications Degree
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News proudly celebrates Isabella Schmitt as she marks an important milestone with her high school graduation and prepares to begin an exciting new chapter pursuing Communications in college.
Over the years, Isabella has represented the next generation of young voices with professionalism, creativity, determination, and passion.
Through reporting opportunities, community involvement, and media experiences, she has continued to shine both on and off camera while inspiring others through her dedication and work ethic.
Jenny Rosario, Vice President of Florida National News, praised Isabella’s accomplishments and bright future ahead.
“Watching Isabella grow both personally and professionally has been truly inspiring,” Rosario said. “She represents the future of journalism, communications, and storytelling. Her passion, confidence, and commitment to making a positive impact through media are remarkable, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.”
Rosario added that Isabella’s decision to pursue Communications in college is a natural next step for someone with such strong talent and determination.
“The world of media and communications needs more young voices like Isabella’s,” Rosario said. “We know this is only the beginning of many great accomplishments to come.”
Florida National News congratulates Isabella Schmitt and the entire Class of 2026 on this exciting achievement.
“Keep dreaming big and telling stories that matter,” Rosario added.
