Long-Running Film Festival Builds Community Through Cinema, Fundraising

When the 24th annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival (MIFF) welcomes filmmakers and film fans this October, many valued traditions will continue:

• Festival organizers will have made selections after watching submissions from filmmakers around the world.
• The festival will honor and showcase local talent and films created in Brevard County and Florida.
• Filmmakers and guests will grace the red carpet.
• MIFF organizers will add to the $100,000 they’ve donated during the life of the festival. 

That last tradition reveals a spectacular commentary. All proceeds from tickets sales, t-shirt sales, and sponsorship have benefitted multiple charities, with No Limits Academy being the beneficiary the past seven years — receiving a total of about $60,000. No Limits Academy is a non-profit private school dedicated to educating, habilitating and connecting children with complex disabilities to the education process.

Laura Joslin, co-founder of No Limits Academy, said the organization began with eight children in wheelchairs in 2008 and now has 45.

“We have families that relocate to Melbourne to get the habilitation and education we provide,” Joslin said. 

The infusion from MIFF helps No Limits Academy fulfill its mission.

“MIFF has been a huge part of the transformations of these children’s lives. With the support they have given, we are able to advance education for them with technology and greater resources,” Joslin said. “I am extremely grateful that they believe in what we are doing so much that they choose to support us every year!” 

MIFF Program Chairman Dr. Terrence Cronin, Jr. believes the festival's success is based upon the goodwill shared with the film community. 

“We get fantastic movies submitted to us, and the support of celebrities and filmmakers, because they know their works will be enjoyed by our enthusiastic audience,” Cronin said. “And it’s all for a great cause.”

This year’s MIFF will be Oct. 13-15 at Premiere Theaters Oaks 10 in Melbourne. 

Actor Patrick Gallo will return as the festival’s guest celebrity, he first attended in 2003. Gallo recently appeared alongside Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in Martin Scorscese’s “The Irishman” and had a breakout performance as Mario Puzo in Paramount’s “The Offer.” He also was a star of the locally shot cult comedy classic “I’ll Believe You!” 

Gallo is expected to share his journey, wit, and experience with festival patrons when he receives an achievement award at the MIFF.

The 118 films submitted to the 2022 MIFF is a return to pre-pandemic levels. Selections and the event schedule will be available online at the MIFF website and in the October issue of Brevard Live magazine. Tickets will be available at the Oaks 10 website and at the theater. 

Being near Halloween, look for details on a costume-themed party plus comedy and musical performances, and of course, cinematic excellence.

CONNECT

Learn more about the MIFF at MelbourneFilmFest.com. 

Learn more about No Limits Academy at NoLimitsAcademy.com.  

Event schedule: brevardlive.com

For tickets, visit Oaks10.com.