When and where: June 25 and 26 in Miami at The Screening Room, 2626 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL and on-line every month!

Founders: Laura Gasperini e Valentina Vincenzini

Looking for (audience, publicity, media) indie filmmakers

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Interview with Isabella Roberto - President of MINDIE Jury

Why did the MINDIE – Miami Independent Film Festival begin?

The Mindie Film Festival was created in June 2015 by Valentina and Laura, with the idea of creating a new space for Indie Filmmakers in Miami, since Laura live and works there. After just 1 month, the festival received 150 + submission and so they needed to give a better structure to the evaluation process. That’s when Valentina called me and asked me if I could be part of it as the President of the Jury, which is formed by a group of filmmakers and industry professionals from all over the World.

This year will be the second year of the film festival. How has the film festival grown since 2015?

Last year, Mindie – Miami Independent Film Festival received a total of 962 film submissions from 64 countries in the World and they all participated to the monthly competition. All 962 films were evaluated by a jury of industry professionals on their overall quality, production value, development of the story and cinematography. Every month, the jury selected the winners of each category, for a total of 46 monthly winners + 12 special mentions in 2015.

In early 2016 the Valentina, Laura and myself met and selected the finalists among the 58 winners. The finalists were screened at our 1st Mindie Event this week end.

Mindie Crew- Daniele Lunghini, Laura Gasperini, Isabella Roberto, Giulio Poidomani, Alexis Sweet, Valentina Vincenzini, Francesca Cuccovillo, Luigi Benvisto, Davide Fiore,

Can you discuss your involvement?

I'm the president of the jury that every month choose the best films of the month. Each judge watch about ten films a month. I choose the best for each category according to the evaluation that each judge gives. Last year MINDIE received 962 submissions from 64 countries.

Why do you think this festival is so popular?

Laura and Valentina are doing a great job ! The festival is popular because it welcomes independent filmmakers in seven film categories. In this way we give more opportunities to them.

 Feature Film

 Feature Documentary

 Short Narrative Docs

 Student Film

 Short Film

 Web Series

 Mini-Short

What type of feedback have you received so far about the film festival?

The feedback that we have been receiving from the filmmakers confirm the fact that there is still a need to create new channels for independent filmmakers to distribute their work and get known out there. Besides winning the monthly editions, the real goal of the filmmaker is to get their films on a big screen.

With our annual event we give this possibility to the best films we have received throughout the year, with the hope to be able to screen more and more every year.

Festival Directors Valentina Vincenzini and Laura Gsperini with Best Feature Film's Director Alecs Nastoiu.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback is extremely important to make sure we are going in the right direction. That’s why we give consideration to all the comments and suggestions that we receive from the filmmakers.

What are you looking to achieve by having information about the film festival more visible on We Are Moving Stories?

We have big aspirations for this festival. We would like to have more filmmakers know about it, and why not create partnership with other film festivals.

Who do you need to come on board (audience, publicity, media) to amplify this film festival’s message and audience?

Well, good press would help to spread the word in the filmmaking industry. Our event is not only a great occasion to see some films, but also to meet and network with international filmmakers and to learn new crafts through our workshops and panels.

What type of impact would you like this film festival to have?

We support truly independent filmmakers. We want to be the voice and the face of quality independent films.

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela