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eIncubator's 8th Annual Collaboration
(released 1/23/2006)


The Entertainment Industry Incubator's Annual Gala was held Jan 14th, 2006 throughout greater Miami. In its 8th year, Collaboration…A Short Film Contest begins by teams of filmmakers sticking to a theme, writing, shooting and editing in 30 days. Judges from New York converge to narrow down the final winners that are announced at the gala each year. The theme of this year's collaboration was Power. South Florida, at the time of shooting, had just experienced hurricane Wilma. The power theme took on dual layers for those shooting in powerless south Florida.

The evening began at the Mayfair Hotel and Spa. Cocktail hour and an auction started the night. Then, the filmmakers adjourned to a banquet room for an Asian inspired dinner buffet. Once the bellies of eager participants were filled, the group moved across the street to the AMC CoCoWalk Theaters.

The event program included a heartfelt welcome and good luck from our "Action State" Film Commissioner Paul T. Sirmons.

Once inside, the evening's host Meredith Porte, also host of Miami's WLRN-TV weekly entertainment and arts show ArtStreet, introduced each of the 15 finalists' films. Filmmakers in competition were divided into two categories, novice and professional. Porte also schooled audiences on the student entries, which were judged previously.

Power evolved from emerging Florida filmmakers popping on the screen one after another. Judges awarded the Grand Prize for the evening to “Self," the five minute short produced by Alejandro Navia and directed by Manolo Celi. The Grand Prize winner will get a sit down meeting with Lions Gate. The novice category winner was "Dash." “Pop” took home a second prize in the novice category. Third place novice went to “Powerless.” "Ties that Bind" won third prize in the pro category. Students from G-Star celebrated the win for "ID".

Time ran out quickly and the theater had to be turned back over to AMC before all the awards could be given out. The flock of Florida filmmakers were let loose to run underground for an after party at the Oxygen Lounge. The evening proved to contain some true talent represented by the cross section of Filmmakers in the State of Florida.

Please go to the Photo Seen for pictures from the eIncubator event.

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