Miami Media & Film Market's International Film Initiative

Recently, MMFM announced the launch of an ambitious initiative which serves to facilitate international co-productions between Miami-Dade County, Florida, and key global markets. Patty Arias (pictured below) has used expertise, insight and determination to guide MMFM towards greater industry access and impact. This new initiative raisses the bar for the region and the industry as well.

Miami is a great place to make films because of its production-friendly environment, beautiful scenery, and local crews. It's also home to many film schools and production companies. Production companies: Miami has many production companies, including those that specialize in Spanish-language production. Miami has multiple soundstages and recording studios.

Miami has hotels that are good for film production. Miami has local crews that are good for film production Miami has sunny beaches that can be used as a backdrop for filming and beautiful outdoor spaces that can be used as a backdrop for filming. But this new initiative digs deeper.

"This is great news to our film cimmunity because it opens up international relations and connections" said Tony Lesesne, co-founder and producer at LMG Entertainment. He added that MMFM is "consistently ahead of the curve in its direction and this is yet another example."

The new program was sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commissioner René García, the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (pictured at left), and will focus on establishing formal international partnerships to ensure sustainability.

Its no secret that Miami-Dade County is deep and rich with cinematic talent and resources.There are dozens of stories about how MMFM has educated, informed and connected Miami-Dade creatives and professionals to new and exciting opportuties and experiences that help them grow. Among them, our own leadership at LMG Ent.

When Tony and Woodie Lesesne, the founders of Miami-based LMG Entertainment, a film and digital media Netowk, The Miami Media & Film Market (MMFM) was new but awe-inspiring.

The connection led to amazing new insights, relationshps and even awards and recognition that elevated the LMG Entertainment brand. More than a decade later, MMFM has impacted plenty more filmmakers, producers and creativces in the Miami-Dade County and nearby areas. MMFM has continued to serve and support the film indusrty with initiatives, programs and education.

The program will facilitate international content collaborations, aimed at boosting economic growth and fostering creative innovation. The program’s long-term goal is to create a sustainable industry that will lead to the creation of direct and indirect jobs and other ancillary growth sectors in Miami-Dade. Its a formula that has been tried and proven and now has the people involved to help it succeed.

MMFM has assembled an impressive Board of Advisors composed of veteran global screen industry experts. This committee includes high ranking members of Film London and the British Film Commission, valued MMFM partners with a proven track record of delivering effective financial incentive systems, along with leading representatives from Miami-Dade, New York, Los Angeles and strategic markets including Spain, the EU, LatAm, and Canada. Film London has been working with MMFM since 2016, and signed a formal partnership agreement in 2018, providing access for Miami-Dade County-based content developers to top UK industry stakeholders. MMFM has been actively working with Spain since 2020, a watershed moment in the industry.

Board of Advisers MMFM’s International Co-Production Initiative 2025

● Gustavo Ferrada, Head of Scripted, Mediacrest, Spain

● Eric Gaunaurd, Founder / EP, Paradiso Pictures, Miami-Dade County

● Helena Mackenzie, Head of Inward Investment, Film London, UK

● Eric Mathis, Founder / Producer, Ondamax Films, Miami-Dade, L.A., France

● Joe Menendez, Director (STAR TREK: PICARD, KUNG FU, HENRY DANGER)

● Patricia Motilla Bonías, Partner, Andersen Spain

● John Pagano, VP, Paramount Digital Studios

● Kevin Sharpley, Founder, Kijik Multimedia, Miami-Dade

● Matthew Stein, Director of Development / Exec Producer, G Unit Film & Television

● Veronica Sullivan, Sr. VP, Head-Global Prod. Ext. Affairs & State/Local Government, NBCUniversal, NY

● Adrian Wootton, CEO, Film London & British Film Commission

 About MMFM

For fifteen years, the Miami Media & Film Market (MMFM), an initiative of the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the USA (CAMACOL), has grown into one of the top creative and business development entity for film, TV, and digital content creation in Miami-Dade County, Florida, benefitting both the local entertainment community and the global industry. With the completion of its 14th edition flagship conference in July of 2024, MMFM is poised for strategic growth, adapting and growing along with the ever-changing needs of the global entertainment industry.

MMFM appreciates the hands-on assistance provided by our long-time partners at Film London, and Patricia Motilla, Partner - Andersen Global/Spain, who have supported our efforts in the development of this program.