Miami Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. Short Film Competition Isabel L. Fernandez, Board Vice-President

2. Miami Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.Short Film CompetitionIsabel L. Fernandez, Board Vice-President

3. Why This Project • Florida is the most dangerous state in the nation for homeless people • 42 separate incidents of violence in 18 cities • With most of the perpetrators under the age of 25; the highest number between 13-19 years of age • “Bum-Hunting” has become a national trend • For more information, visit the National Coalition for the Homeless’ website at www.nationalhomeless.org

4. Miami Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. • Mission: to promote community efforts to prevent and end homelessness in South Florida by establishing alliances with agencies and organizations

5. Strategies • Advocacy: advocate for the rights of those experiencing homelessness on the local, state and federal levels • Prevention: act as catalysts for innovative programs that prevent homelessness • Resource Coordination: monitor the way systems and resources are used to maximize benefit to those experiencing homelessness

6. Unique • Are notthe lead agency for our continuum of care, and not a “Coalition” as recognized by the state • We have a 7 million dollar endowment that was obtained through the sale of surplus land via Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act, which allows us the privilege of issuing grants in our community and across the state

7. Our Process • Acknowledge and research the problem • Decide to take action • Decide to commit resources • Decide on how to best impact our community • Think about an innovative approach

8. Result • Decided to focus the project on high school students • Interviewed marketing consultants for ideas • Appointed a lead person on our Board • Expected the Board to “support” our work around this project in the community

9. Defining the Concept • It was our hope that this competition would encourage creativity and imagination in its approach to the topic of homelessness. The student film competition offered the opportunity to utilize and combine film technology with artistic expression to educate and edify our community, show compassion towards people who are homeless, and engage our community’s youth. • The theme – year 1: “Being Homeless” • The theme – year 2: “Becoming Homeless”

10. Our Primary Partners • Ana Cruz Event Planning • Miami-Dade County Public Schools • Miami International Film Festival • WPBT/Channel 2 • Miami Science Museum

11. The Events • Announcement of competition

12. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions

13. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions • Initial screening of submissions

14. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions • Initial screening of submissions • Judges’ Brunch – judging/media event • “Student Voices for the Homeless” Day

15. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions • Initial screening of submissions • Judges’ Brunch – judging/media event • “Student Voices for the Homeless” Day • MIFF Screening of top films, followed by a panel discussion

16. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions • Initial screening of submissions • Judges’ Brunch – judging/media event • “Student Voices for the Homeless” Day • MIFF Screening of top 10 films, followed by panel discussion • Winning entry shown ahead of film premiere at film festival

17. The Events • Announcement of competition • Collection/tracking of submissions • Initial screening of submissions • Judges’ Brunch – judging/media event • Mayor: “Student Voices for the Homeless” Day • MIFF Screening of top 10 films, followed by panel discussion • Winning entry shown ahead of film premiere at film festival • Theater night at Actors’ Playhouse • PSA is finalized and submitted for airing

18. The Prizes • Grand prize: Trip for winning student and a guest, and winning teacher and a guest – Tribeca Film Festival (includes hotel, airfare, film admissions, $500 cash prize), one year membership to Miami Children’s Museum • Top ten films: Miami Dolphins mini-helmet, autographed Miami Dolphins football, Nike backpack, tickets to MIFF screenings, theater tickets, Historical Museum walking tour tickets, signed copy of “Breakfast with Sharks”, chocolate

19. Our Judges • A person who was formerly homeless • A documentary filmmaker • A writer/producer • Board president of MCHI • Film festival representative • PBS television producer

20. The Judging Criteria • Creativity • Clarity of information • Appropriate message • Video and audio quality • Overall production value • Judges’ subjective scores

21. Our Results • Media attention – television, internet, print • 22 partner organizations • 30 submissions received (54 in year two) • Submissions from 13 schools • Alternative schools, Catholic school, Hebrew academy, magnet schools, charter school, public schools

22. Learnings • Submission format (DVD vs. video) • License-free music and images • File format • We impacted lives.

23. The End