South Florida News
Miami-Dade County launches largest film incentive program in Florida
Published
3 years agoon
MIAMI-DADE ( May 06, 2024 ) – The Miami-Dade County Office of Film and Entertainment has launched the largest film incentive in Florida to attract major motion pictures and television series. The film incentive, known as the High Impact Film Fund Program (HIFFP), will provide up to $50 million over the next 5 years to bring productions back to Miami-Dade County through a cash rebate of up to 20% for qualifying domestic and international productions filming locally. The HIFFP was sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commissioner René Garcia and unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
The Film Office underscores the significant economic contribution of the local film industry, generating job opportunities and showcasing our region on a global scale. Highlighting Miami-Dade County in films and TV series not only enhances our visibility but also boosts tourism and attracts investments.
The Film Office conducted an extensive year-long outreach, engaging with producers, directors, studio executives, and other industry stakeholders, including those already involved in our county’s film scene and those considering future ventures. Feedback analysis revealed the absence of competitive entertainment economic development programs has hindered major TV and film productions from choosing Miami-Dade County as their filming destination.
“The High Impact Film Fund Program is a testament to our commitment to nurturing both the artistic and economic growth of our community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “This initiative aligns with our vision of making Miami-Dade a thriving hub for creative industries, and we look forward to the positive impact it will have on our county. Not only will this program create jobs, but it will support the many local businesses that are the backbone of our economy in Miami-Dade County.“
Miami-Dade County Commissioner René Garcia is thrilled over the tremendous support he has received from his colleagues on the Board of County Commission, industry stakeholders, and residents alike. “Our unmatched crews, talent, infrastructure, and locations have made Miami-Dade the perfect place to shoot movies and television series. This program will help create and sustain thousands of small businesses and good paying jobs for our residents and while bringing billions in much needed new investment to our county. I am especially excited about the possibility of growing this program with the promise of retaining our talented workforce and youth, and the economic growth a robust program can bring to our community. It will also strengthen our global competitiveness and deliver significant, long-term value to our economic future,” said Commissioner René Garcia.
“Film incentive programs support economic development by creating jobs, stimulating local spending, attracting investment, promoting tourism, and enhancing the county’s overall appeal. The main concern I always hear from producers to artists to crew personnel is the lack of a real incentive. The program will begin to position Miami-Dade as a global destination for major film and television production,”, stated Miami-Dade Film Commissioner, Marco Giron.
Miami-Dade County was recently selected as a top 10 destination and named as one of the best places to live and work as a movie maker in 2024 by MovieMaker Magazine. The Film Office also won numerous awards including the National Association of Counties (NACo) Best in Category for its Movie and TV Map Tour, and also won NACo awards for the Magic City Music Tour and the One-Stop-Shop Film Permitting Center. Also this year, the Film Office was selected among 200 film commissions around the world as a finalist for Film Commission Initiative of the Year by Makers & Shakers.
Miami-Dade County is proudly featured in some of the most iconic TV series, such as Miami Vice, Burn Notice, CSI: Miami, Dexter, Ballers, Glades, Magic City and Keeping up with The Kardashians to name a few. Major movies set in Miami include the Bad Boys franchise, There’s Something About Mary, Pain and Gain, Iron Man 3, and the recent HBO remake of Father of the Bride starring hometown superstars Gloria Estefan and Andy Garcia.
The Miami-Dade County Office of Film & Entertainment is part of The Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED) which catalyzes a FutureReady Miami-Dade — where investing in equity, resilience, and innovation cements our position as a global economic hub.
For more information about the High Impact Film Fund Program (HIFFP) and how to apply, please visit www.filmiami.org or contact The Miami-Dade County Office of Film & Entertainment at 305-375-3288.
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Entertainment
“4000 Days,” “Frampton” Set for Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25
Published
2 weeks agoon
October 22, 2026NAPLES, Fla. (FNN) — Two documentaries exploring families’ fight against college hazing and the career of musician Peter Frampton will screen at the Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25, according to an announcement from 10 Lives Studios.
Both films will be shown at Pavilion Naples, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road.
“4000 Days”: Families Turn Grief Into Advocacy
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel E. Catullo III and executive produced by Paris Hilton, “4000 Days” follows three families whose sons died in fraternity hazing incidents.
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, Linda and Eric Oakes, and TJ and Kim Burch joined forces to challenge hazing practices, seek accountability and push for legislative reform. The title represents the approximately 4,000 days of their struggle to turn personal loss into change, according to the filmmakers.
The 111-minute documentary premiered at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Catullo, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and Eric Oakes are scheduled to participate in question-and-answer sessions following the Naples screenings.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.
“Frampton”: A Career of Setbacks and Comebacks
Directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, and produced by Catullo, “Frampton” traces the guitarist’s rise through the Herd and Humble Pie, his breakthrough as a solo artist and his continued performances while facing a degenerative condition.
Marking the 50th anniversary of “Frampton Comes Alive!”, the documentary combines archival footage, interviews and recent performances to examine the musician’s career and resilience.
The 102-minute film features appearances by musicians and entertainers including Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.
After premiering at Tribeca, the documentary won the Audience Award for Music on Screen at the Calgary International Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 7:05 p.m.
Politics
Jim Boyd, Jay Trumbull Endorse Alex Rizo for Florida Senate District 39
Published
2 months agoon
September 12, 2026Republican legislative leaders back Rizo as race develops to replace former Sen. Bryan Avila in Miami-Dade County
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN)— Florida Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd and Sen. Jay Trumbull have endorsed state Rep. Alex Rizo in the developing race for Florida Senate District 39, according to a press release announcing their support.
The endorsements add two prominent Republican senators to Rizo’s campaign as candidates position themselves to succeed former state Sen. Bryan Avila, who resigned from the Senate in August.
Florida Senate records show Avila, a Republican, resigned from District 39 on Aug. 25, leaving the Miami-Dade County seat vacant.
Boyd, Trumbull Praise Rizo’s Legislative Record
In a joint statement provided in the press release, Boyd and Trumbull pointed to Rizo’s record on education, taxes, public safety and parental rights as reasons for their endorsement.
“Alex Rizo is a leader who has championed parental rights, historic school choice expansion, tax cuts for hard working Floridians and business owners, increased funding for public schools and teacher pay, workforce and technical education, public safety, and efforts to educate future generations about the horrors and failures of communism,” Boyd and Trumbull said.
The senators said they believe Rizo would work alongside them in the Florida Senate on their shared policy priorities.
“We are proud to endorse Alex Rizo for Senate District 39 because we know he will stand with us to protect freedom and deliver common sense solutions for hard working Floridians,” they said.
Rizo Running for Open Senate Seat
Rizo, a Republican from Hialeah, announced his candidacy for the open Senate seat following Avila’s resignation. Rizo has served in the Florida House since 2020 and has represented House District 112 during the current legislative term.
The Senate District 39 race is developing following Avila’s departure from the Legislature to run for lieutenant governor.
District 39 is located in Miami-Dade County and includes heavily Hispanic communities in the northwestern portion of the county.
Special Election Date Still to Be Formally Set
Florida’s 2026 general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. However, as of Sept. 11, the Florida Division of Elections had not listed a Senate District 39 special election among its scheduled 2026 special elections.
Under Florida law, a vacancy in the state Senate may require a special election. The governor, after consulting with the secretary of state, issues the order establishing the election date.
The timing of the District 39 election therefore remains subject to an official special-election order.
Business
Amazon Cargo Jet Overruns Miami Airport Runway by 1,300 Feet, Killing 5 as NTSB Investigates
Published
2 months agoon
September 8, 2026Federal investigators recovered both flight recorders after the Boeing 767 operated by 21 Air for Amazon struck vehicles and traveled about 1,300 feet beyond the runway at Miami International Airport.
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — Federal investigators are working to determine why an Amazon cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport by about 1,300 feet Sunday, struck vehicles inside and outside the airport perimeter and crashed, killing five people and injuring at least five others.
The Boeing 767, operated by 21 Air LLC for Amazon, was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway at about 2 p.m. Sunday. It was the aircraft’s third flight of the day, according to investigators.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy described the crash site Monday as an area of extensive devastation and debris.
Investigators have recovered both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which could provide critical information about the aircraft’s approach, touchdown, speed, braking performance and crew communications.
The NTSB has not determined the probable cause of the crash.
NTSB: Jet Struck Vehicles After Leaving Runway
The five people killed were in two vehicles struck by the aircraft after it left the runway, according to the NTSB.
Investigators said the jet first struck a 2021 white Ford Econoline van owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp., an airline cleaning contractor. Seven people were inside the van.
The aircraft then broke through an airport perimeter fence and struck a Toyota Corolla Cross outside airport property.
The jet continued through another fence near an area where Tesla robotaxis were stationed before coming to rest, according to Homendy.
The crash left a large debris field that investigators are documenting as they reconstruct the aircraft’s path.
Five Killed, At Least Five Injured
The human toll extends beyond the aviation and airport investigation.
According to the NTSB, all five fatalities were among people in the two vehicles struck during the runway overrun. At least five other people were injured.
The circumstances put particular attention on what happened after the aircraft left the paved runway and traveled beyond the airport boundary.
Investigators will examine the entire accident sequence before determining what factors contributed to the fatalities.
Flight Recorders Recovered as NTSB Investigates Cause
The central question remains unanswered: Why couldn’t the aircraft stop before reaching the end of the runway?
Homendy cautioned Monday that investigators would not determine probable cause while working at the scene.
The NTSB is examining whether the aircraft touched down too far along the runway to stop safely and whether the crew should have abandoned the landing and performed a go-around. Investigators are also expected to analyze the aircraft’s speed, braking performance, mechanical condition, weather and runway conditions.
Video of the landing is also expected to play an important role in reconstructing the sequence of events.
The flight data recorder can provide technical information about the aircraft’s speed, altitude, control inputs and systems. The cockpit voice recorder can help investigators establish crew communications and other conditions inside the cockpit during the final phase of the flight.
Investigators will combine that evidence with wreckage examinations, maintenance records, air traffic control information, weather data, surveillance video and witness interviews.
Could the Miami Crash Have Been Prevented?
It is too early to determine.
The NTSB has not concluded that pilot actions, mechanical problems, weather, runway conditions or airport infrastructure caused or contributed to the accident.
One issue under scrutiny is the protection available when an aircraft overruns a runway.
Miami International Airport does not have the type of aircraft arresting system installed at some airports, according to AP reporting. MIA instead has a 1,000-foot runway safety buffer and complies with applicable requirements.
That distinction is important: The absence of an arresting system does not establish that airport infrastructure caused the crash or fatalities.
Investigators will need to determine first why the aircraft overran the runway and then whether different safety measures could have prevented the accident or reduced its severity.
The findings could eventually lead to recommendations involving aircraft operations, runway-overrun protection, airport infrastructure or carrier procedures — but any such conclusions would come after the evidence is analyzed.
Amazon-21 Air Safety Relationship Under Review
Another significant part of the investigation will focus on the relationship between Amazon and 21 Air.
The aircraft was carrying cargo for Amazon but was operated by 21 Air.
Homendy said investigators want to understand the responsibilities of each company, including what safety provisions are contained in contracts, policies and operating arrangements.
That examination could help establish how operational and safety responsibilities were divided between the cargo customer and the airline operating the aircraft.
Amazon has said it is cooperating with the investigation.
Crash Causes Major Disruptions at Miami International Airport
The crash also caused significant disruptions at one of the nation’s busiest aviation gateways.
More than 160 flights were canceled and nearly 325 delayed by late Sunday, according to FlightAware data reported by The Associated Press.
Disruptions continued Monday as aircraft and flight crews remained out of position.
Miami International Airport reported that two of its four runways remained closed and advised passengers to contact their airlines before traveling to the airport.
The closures are especially significant because of MIA’s enormous passenger and cargo operations.
The airport handled approximately 55.3 million passengers and 3.4 million U.S. tons of freight in 2025, according to official MIA statistics. The airport has four runways and recorded nearly 499,000 commercial aircraft movements last year.
That makes prolonged runway restrictions potentially consequential for passenger travel, international commerce and South Florida’s logistics network.
What’s Next?
NTSB investigators are expected to continue documenting the wreckage, examining the aircraft and runway, interviewing witnesses and reviewing operational and maintenance records.
Analysis of the cockpit voice and flight data recorders will be particularly important in determining where the aircraft touched down, how fast it was traveling, how much runway remained and how the aircraft’s braking and other systems performed.
Investigators will also examine weather and runway conditions, flight crew actions, air traffic control communications and the Amazon-21 Air operating relationship.
The NTSB’s investigation process separates the collection of factual evidence from its eventual determination of probable cause. The agency maintains public investigation records and dockets as cases progress.
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