Coconut Grove Film Festival

Coconut Grove Film Festival by Voices Beyond Borders Art Foundation, this festival is a non-profit vibrant celebration of storytelling and creativity, where we showcase exceptional films from around the globe with a special focus on Latin American voices and Florida filmmakers. Our festival is a unique gathering of artists and audiences in Miami's historic Coconut Grove, uniting diverse cultures through the power of cinema. Join us in experiencing films that not only entertain but also inspire meaningful dialogue and social change.

We are thrilled to welcome Academy Award-winning director and celebrated Coconut Grove local, David Frankel, as a key panelist at the Coconut Grove Film Festival. David, alongside a lineup of prominent film industry professionals, will be at the heart of our festival's mission to amplify Florida voices and redefine the narrative around Latin cinema. This special panel, which includes Felipe Torres Urso and Xavier Manrique among others, will delve into breaking Latin clichés and presenting new, authentic perspectives in filmmaking. Join us for this unique opportunity to explore and discuss the evolving landscape of cinema, as we commit to fostering diverse, innovative, and meaningful storytelling in the heart of Florida.

Jury Award for Best Short Film

Jury Award for Best Performances

Jury Award for Best Cinematography & Production Design

Jury Award for Best Picture Editing & Sound Editing

Submission Deadlines and Fees:

Deadline for Submissions: December 20, 2023. Please note that we do not accept late submissions.

Short Film Submissions: $25 per entry.

Feature Film Submissions: $40 per entry.

Submission Platform: All submissions must be made via FilmFreeway. Please visit our FilmFreeway page for detailed instructions and to submit your film.

Festival Dates and Venue: Join us on January 12-14, 2024, at the luxurious Cinepolis Movie Theater in Cocowalk, the heart of Coconut Grove, for a showcase of extraordinary films.

Eligibility Requirements:

Films must have been completed within the last 18 months.

We accept only fully finished films.

Short Films: Maximum length of 25 minutes.

Feature Films: Minimum length of 70 minutes.

Accepted film formats for screening: DCP or QuickTime.

Additional Guidelines:

All films must be in English or Spanish, or contain English subtitles.

Filmmakers are responsible for the shipment of the film to the festival. The festival will not cover shipping costs.

By submitting, filmmakers grant the Coconut Grove Film Festival the rights to use clips and stills of the film for promotional purposes.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Maria Paula Arboleda

The organizers couldn't have been kinder, and the festival was so well-organized and impressive. I couldn't believe it was just their first year running it. You wouldn't have known based on the incredible selection of films and the guest speakers. I'm excited for the editions to come!

January 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're so happy to hear that the festival made a good impression, especially in our first year. Your support and participation meant the world to us, and we're eagerly looking forward to bringing even more to the table in future editions. Hope to see you again next year!!!
Adrian Cardenas

First year of the festival and it already had wonderful guests speakers and events that aren't easy to schedule/program. I loved that Felipe and Xavier are trying to build a real filmmaking community. I look forward to seeing the festival grow and being a part of it for years to come.

January 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you so much for your kind words and support! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the guest speakers and events at our inaugural festival. Building a vibrant and collaborative filmmaking community is at the heart of what we do, and it's wonderful to know that this resonated with you. We're excited about the future and look forward to having you as a part of our growing festival family for many years to come.
Juan Manuel Lama

We had a fantastic experience at the Coconut Grove Film Festival's inaugural year, and would recommend it to all film makers and film lovers who have the opportunity to submit, attend, and participate in the many screenings and social events.

Excellent communication with the festival organizers. Well organized and perfectly run. The venue was top notch, and all the films were shown as intended...no technical issues, etc.

It was an incredible atmosphere overall, especially since several local film makers that I've had the incredible opportunity to work with were in attendance.

A+++

Thank you for putting this together for us to be able to showcase our short films. Can't wait to see what the future brings for this young but awesome festival.

Good Luck!

January 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

We are deeply grateful for your glowing review and thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience at our inaugural Coconut Grove Film Festival. Your recommendation to fellow filmmakers and film lovers means a lot to us.

We're glad that our communication and choice of venue met your expectations, and that the technical execution went smoothly. Creating an inviting atmosphere for local filmmakers and enthusiasts is a priority for us, and it's wonderful to know we achieved this.

We are equally excited about the future of the festival and can't wait to offer even more enriching experiences in the years to come.
Isabel Custer

An amazing nexus “for filmmakers by filmmakers” in Miami with quality films and insightful, industry-oriented panels. Really brings together a great opportunity to network for local filmmakers and executives. Looking forward to experience it as it grows.

January 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you so much! We're thrilled you enjoyed the films and panels. It's great to hear that our "filmmakers for filmmakers" vibe shined through. Can't wait to have you with us as we grow!

Coconut Grove Film Festival