Dear
IFP/Miami Members & Friends,
Our IFP season really took off with the Nov 12th
VIP program at the Shores. Our guests included the Mayor of Miami Shores,
the Vice Mayor and two Commissoners, the Chief of Police, the Chair
of the Chamber of Commerce, and on an on of the movers and shakers of
the City.
Our longtime friend and host for the evening was James de Molyneux who
served as MC for the evening, and with whom we started working on this
program last Spring. He introduced our Guest of Honor, Victoire de Rosa,
the new French Cultural Attache, as well as the French Consul, the German
Consuls, the Japanese Consul, the Count and Countess Vitti, the Executive
Director of the Alliance Francaise, another longtime friend, Marechal
Dr. Ralph Heyndels, and many more. The movie 8 Women was fabulous and
the perfect comedy for the night; and everyone agreed that Catherine
De Neuve is the IT girl.
Special thanks to our Board Members and fabulous volunteers, especially
those who helped out in the Receiving Line - wasn't that fun? - John
Challenor for the projection; the Sandwich Mill for the appetizers,
and for our 250 guests for attending.
This was a great step forward in the history of the IFP in Miami. It's
definitely time for us to step forward at a new level of visibility.
We can now look forward to building on these old and new connections.
The next morning, John and I attended IFP's first attendance of the
Miami Shores Chamber of Commerce meeting. Many people were thrilled
to talk about the prior evening's event. We made a wonderful impression
on Miami Shores and the Theater.
The following night was the fundraiser for the Gay and Lesbian Film
Festival. Another 250 guests attended. It was a lovely, relaxed and
fun evening. It has really been a pleasure to meet Philip Matthews and
Carol Coombes, and to work with such consummate professionals. It was
an evening of seeing old friends, and another great success.
So, just when we were feeling self-congratulatory about the excellent
steps forward we are making as an organization, especially in the areas
of building relationships with sponsors - the main focus of our staff
time - we actually blew all this out of the water with our next event.
On November 21, we presented the movie premier of one of our members,
Wilkenson Bruna.
We had been hired to produce this event, and it was a thrill to see
what we can do with a sufficient budget. When the limos with the cast
and crew showed up, the actors walked up a red carpet lined with Haitian
and American flags and matching balloons, all lit up with movie lights.
They were grabbed by TV and radio crews, before they walked inside to
the reception where a few hundred people had already gathered.
This time our guests included the Consul General of Haiti, Guy Victor,
who was beautifully entertained by James de Molyneux and Rex Crawford,
and greeted all the other dignitaries including 2 Mayors, and 2 representatives
from other Mayors' offices. I briefly introduced the movie and we began.
By the time the movie was over, we had an overflow crowd of a hundred
in the next door theater. 500 people came that evening. Afterwards,
Ms. Emeline Alexis from Mayor Penellas' Office served as MC to bring
the dignitaries up to make the proclamations. Wilkenson was completely
speechless as the cast and crew stood on stage and quietly wept with
joy.
Next we took off to La Paloma Restaurant, where 200 guests enjoyed a
wonderful sit down dinner with a band playing Haitian and Cuban music.
The evening ended with dancing and a great time was had by all.
The movie had the highest box office of the weekend, which was the opening
for the new Bond movie. One night the theater called Wilkenson in a
panic because one hundred people had to be turned away from yet another
sold out show.
Not only was this a wonderful success, but it's really unusual to be
in a room with so many gracious and grateful people. The IFP was thanked
more times in one evening than in the past couple of years! We have
made hundreds of new friends and fans, some of whom intend to push us
into further contact with all the powers that be who participated.
Our last events before the Holidays are the Dec 7 & 8 program with
NALIP and Cinema Garden on
the second Thursday, Dec 12th. Also, on Dec 12th, I will be participating
in the 2 meeting of the new State of Florida Arts Council's Task Force,
where I am the Media Arts rep. for Florida. Although it's early days,
this Task Force could be quite something in our State.
We would love to have your presence at both these events. Aside from
the Seminar being a great learning experience, it is also an opportunity
to meet many producers from Florida and beyond. Jeff Peel & the
Mayor's Office of Film and Entertainment are also giving us a reception
on Dec 7 which we are holding at James and Rex's house - you remember
where the Board Retreat was? Please let me know if you will be available
to attend and help host our guests at any or all of these events.
And, finally, our next Competition Group meeting is on Tuesday evening,
Dec 3, at 7pm. Location TBA.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Joanne
