MMFM16 Wrap Report.
MMFM16 is a Wrap! What an incredible two days.
As we reflect on the conclusion of the 16th Miami Media and Film Market (MMFM), we couldn't be prouder of what our team at CAMACOL accomplished together!
For sixteen years, MMFM CEO Patricia Arias and Creative Director José Luis Martínez have worked together to build the Miami Media & Film Market and the international relationships behind what many now see as an "overnight success."
This year #MMFM16 consisted of two intensive days of back-to-back pitch sessions connecting Miami-Dade content creators directly with MMFM’s key global industry partners. MMFM is the only audiovisual entity in Florida with these key global partners.
The MMFM industry professionals participating in those meetings represented screen industries in London and the United Kingdom, Madrid and Spain, India, and Canada.
And the results demonstrate the potential of what comes next.
40 PROJECTS. 197 PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS.
ONE GLOBAL STRATEGY.
This year, 40 curated audiovisual projects were selected to participate. Of those, 37 projects were presented in person, while three participated virtually. The MMFM industry pros who received the meetings represented the screen industries in London & the UK, Madrid & Spain, India, and Canada.
Each project was evaluated according to its stage of development. Some were early IP or original concepts, others were in active development, and several were nearing production. Every project received thoughtful consideration within its own category.
Each participant attending MMFM in person received, on average, 4 to 5 pre-scheduled meetings with our international partners and our distinguished jury. Over the course of the market, 197 professional meetings took place, creating opportunities that simply did not exist before.
The cash awards recognized not only creative excellence, but projects where development funding could help move outstanding ideas and get them closer to production.
One of the most exciting aspects of this year's MMFM is that the journey is just beginning. MMFM is creating a program to mentor a select group of creators throughout the coming year. CAMACOL will also host monthly follow-up meetings, coaching sessions, and networking opportunities to ensure these projects continue moving forward.
Our next stop is Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid, where we will continue opening international doors and creating new opportunities for co-production.
Our sincere gratitude goes to our international partners and advisors who participated in MMFM16:
● Patricia Motilla Partner, Media & International Practice Andersen (Spain)
● Adrian Wootton, OBE, CEO, Film London & BFC, Helena Mackenzie, Head of Inward Investment, Film London
● Teresa Azcona, General Manager, Madrid Audiovisual Cluster
● Samuel Castro Hansson, Director, Fundación Secuoya & Director, Iberseries
● Prashant Shah, Founder & Producer, Bollywood Hollywood
● Brenda Gilbert, Producer, Co-Founder & President of the BRON Grou.
● Andrew Curtis, UK Producer
● Ted Hope, LA Producer
● Cristina Garza, Agent, UTA Independent Film Group
● Julian Scott, Animation Consultant, Film London
These global screen industry pros have contributed their time and talent to #MMFM16. And their vision, generosity, and commitment continue to elevate MMFM year-round.
Our heartfelt thanks also go to our outstanding jury:
• Liliana Moyano, Producer, La Perra Films
• Eric Gaunaurd, Producer, Paradiso Pictures
• Carlos V. Gutierrez, Director/Writer/Producer, No Parachute Films
• Kevin Sharpley, Producer, Kijik Multimedia
• Carla Gomez, Producer & Development Exec, CimaPlay Entertainment
• John Macho, CEO, Find Your Muse Entertainment (FYME)
Their professionalism, thoughtful evaluations, and generous mentorship made this year's market even stronger.
An Afternoon with David Frankel.
A big thank you to Academy Award and Emmy winning director David Frankel, who helmed, among many other major motion picture and television projects, The Devil Wears Prada and the hit sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. His television credits include the Emmy winning Band of Brothers, Entourage, Sex and the City, and The Morning Show.
David joined #MMFM16 for An Afternoon with David Frankel, a fireside chat in front of a packed house, where David spoke about his extraordinary journey through the film and television industry, including the locally produced Miami Rhapsody and Marley & Me. David inspired current MMFMer’s to pursue their passions and become the next generation of global storytellers, all while being based right here in Miami-Dade County.
Our thanks as well to FilmPro, who led an amazing in-depth workshop to close out MMFM16 and sponsored this year’s winning projects with a 1 and 3-month free FilmPro Premium subscription.
Right now, MMFMers and industry colleagues who sign up for FilmPro with this registration link using promo code RVY0T76H get 15% off their first month!
MMFM thanks the Miami Film Festival, including Executive Director James Woolley, Director Programming Lauren Cohen, and Film & Industry Manager Jasmine Lebherz for hosting the "MFF Office Hour" at MMFM 16, providing filmmakers with early submission insights and guidelines for the Festival's 44th edition, scheduled for April 1–11, 2027.
Appreciation is also extended to Rick Beasley, Executive Director, CareerSource South Florida and the CareerSource South Florida Team.
Finally, our sincere thanks to Senator René García, Commissioner of Miami Dade County, for joining us at MMFM16 and for his continued efforts on behalf of Miami-Dade's independent content creators and audiovisual community, and to Miami-Dade County for its continued support of our audiovisual community.
This year's MMFM marks far more than the successful conclusion of our sixteenth edition—it marks the beginning of a new chapter.
With that, here are this year’s winners of the MMFM 16 inaugural Global Creator Pipeline:
MMFM 16 GLOBAL CREATOR PIPELINE — 2026 WINNERS
1ST PLACE | BEST OVERALL PROJECT
WORST PLACE ON EARTH
Caleb Scott & Jessica Farr
$1,000 Cash Prize + 3-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
2ND PLACE | SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITION AWARD
SILVER AND GOLD
Jose Stoute
$750 Cash Prize + 3-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
3RD PLACE | INTERNATIONAL MARKET AWARD
VICUÑA
Joshua Maya
$500 Cash Prize + 3-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
VISIONARY AWARD
WORK
Yanatha Desouvre
$250 Cash Prize + 1-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
VISIONARY AWARD
THE HAND SHE DEALT
Albania Sofia Sagarra
$250 Cash Prize + 1-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
HONORABLE MENTION
BORN WITHOUT A NAME
Jennifer Penner
$75 Cash Prize + 1-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
HONORABLE MENTION
THE FINAL ARMADA
Larry White & Nathan Aaron
$75 Cash Prize + 1-Month FilmPro Premium Subscription
In addition, one feature film presented at MMFM16 has been selected to Film London’s upcoming Production Finance Market during the London Film Festival, while another project is being considered for Film London’s prestigious UPstream program.
CREATED LOCALLY. PRODUCED GLOBALLY.
MMFM recognizes and deeply appreciates the support the creative community has received here at home. That support has helped build momentum, strengthen the independent sector, and create opportunities for Miami-Dade talent. At the same time, the conditions and terms of content development and production have shifted. Thanks to MMFM's unique international stronghold and the relationships built over sixteen years, MMFM is positioned to respond to those changes.
MMFM is creating locally and producing globally.
Today, content development, financing, co-production, and physical production can take place across multiple territories. MMFM's strategy recognizes that new reality and turns it into an opportunity for Miami-Dade creators.
At the end of the day, these are Miami-Dade's creators. They live and work in Miami-Dade County. Their companies, careers, intellectual property, and professional relationships are being developed here. When they succeed in the national and international marketplace, the community benefits.
This is about more than individual projects. It is about establishing long-term creative infrastructure in Miami-Dade under the new conditions and terms of global production.
And once again, MMFM continues to be one step ahead.
MMFM'S YEAR-ROUND PLATFORM & MENTORSHIP
MMFM, as a year-round market and development platform is working with creators to help promising projects advance long after the conference concludes.
As part of that commitment, we identified a select group of creators who will receive mentorship throughout the coming year.
The monthly follow-up meetings will be held at CAMACOL headquarters and will include coaching sessions, and networking opportunities to ensure these projects continue moving forward.
This marks the beginning of an ongoing program of mentorship, monthly coaching sessions, project development, networking opportunities, industry conversations, and global introductions.
Because identifying talent is only the beginning. MMFM's objective is to help outstanding projects move from concept, to development, to financing, to production — and ultimately to screens and audiences around the world.
NEXT STOP: IBERSERIES & PLATINO INDUSTRIA — MADRID
At the end of September, MMFM will take the next major step in that strategy with its participation at Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid.
MMFM will be there with a purpose: to promote projects from the MMFM Global Creator Pipeline, strengthen relationships with international partners, and pursue opportunities for co-production, financing, development, and production.
Madrid is not an isolated trip. It is part of a long-term strategy to connect Miami-Dade creators directly to the international marketplace and to continue opening doors long after the annual MMFM conference concludes.
The market may take place in Miami. The opportunity is global.
BUILT THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
This momentum has been built through collaboration.
MMFM proudly recognizes the organizations and supporters helping strengthen Miami's connection to the global content industry, including CAMACOL, Miami-Dade County, Film London, the British Film Commission, the Madrid Audiovisual Cluster, Andersen Spain, Iberseries & Platino Industria, Sedano's Supermarkets, and PepsiCo.
Special appreciation goes to Pedro Mesa and Sedano's Supermarkets, Yurandy Llerena and PepsiCo, and especially Joe Chi, President of CAMACOL, whose confidence and leadership continue to strengthen MMFM.
These partnerships represent something larger than support for an annual event. They are helping build an infrastructure of talent, relationships, knowledge, and international access that can remain in Miami-Dade for years to come.
THE MARKET ENDED. THE WORK GOES ON
In September the first invite only MMFM Mentor Session will be hosted at CAMACOL.
At the end of September, MMFM will take projects from its Global Creator Pipeline and international strategy to Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid.
And from there, the work continues.
