The Miami Beach Film Society, a not for profit 501(c),(3) organization, is expanding to finally have a permanent location, The Miami Beach Cinematheque. This will be not only the home but also the office/headquarters of MBFS’s annual event, THE FESTIVAL FOR FILM FESTIVAL: The Miami Beach International Film Festival, which will debut in its second year of operation. This plan concentrates on the first year of operation, opening the Cinematheque with a strategic start-up “Founding Circle”, and then operating it through creative programming, marketing, product and service sales, and fundraising.
We are seeking additional funding to help us cover our initial expenses, such as build-out and rent, related issues, equipment and cash, as well as initial start-up costs. Our annual revenue will be maintained through memberships and admissions to programs, products and services sales, fundraising activities, grants from cities, counties, and states.
We have formed many strategic alliances already with businesses and organizations that will make the Cinematheque or MBIFF a success. During the first year of the Cinematheque, our business goals are in five main categories:
- The space was successfully opened.
- A combination of ticket sales and product and service sales can generate earned revenue.
- Keeping gross profit margins high;
- Major revenue generation from grant sources for the development and maintenance of membership level
- Outreach should be considered as a primary goal to include different audiences.
The Miami Beach Film Society’’s mission includes providing a cultural alternative and promoting the artistic aspects of commercial filmmaking. Included in the mission will be special consideration for the cultural diversity of Miami Beach. The Cinematheque can be used to discover, enjoy, teach, and learn. It will also serve as a place of respect and inclusion, with an emphasis on creativity and the development of ideas.
MBFS has been organizing special events for many decades. This has been possible through collaboration with other cultural institutions and creative programming that takes advantage of the uniqueness and marketing skills of Miami Beach.
The products and services provided by the Cinematheque will all complement the main mission of the organization, to provide a cultural alternative to the commercial film going experience. Cinematheques will have a unique experience thanks to the creativity and imagination that will guide their selection of merchandise and services. The Miami Beach Cinematheque will offer something different. Such creative programming as “Food & Film: Movies To Dine For”, “Yoga & Film”, and “Cafe Con Cinema” combines the intriguing and sometimes provocative aspects of our diversified local culture, supplemented by high quality merchandise that serves as educational souvenirs and reference material.
Our core market for Cinematheque is the person who is passionate about cinema and appreciates alternative options to commercial offerings. The core market is present in all categories of our main markets. Our target markets are based upon the largest percentages of the pie. However, we want to grow the smaller percentages so we are targeting specific markets.
There is no organization in South Beach that currently provides the services and emphasis that MBFS will provide for Miami Beach. The Cinematheque will fill a significant gap in alternative programming, as The Alliance “:arthouse Cinema on Lincoln Road has recently closed. Our hard core film audience will be pleased to know that programming will be aimed in their direction, but with a different package. Squeezing seven nights out of an audience that supports one or two on a regular basis is why we will have programming such as “Views From the Underground” and “Foreign Film Fridays” in our programming line-up for niche markets and outreach for underserved audiences, as well as “Jazz or Classical Filmbrunch” featuring live entertainment and a lighter fare appealing to a wider audience.
We are the premier source in Miami Beach for film and photography education and presentation. Cinematheque will serve as the central venue for film enjoyment, enrichment, and enjoyment. These are the main benefits of attending and participating at the Cinematheque. Through our diverse range of programs, a fresh experience for frequent visitors will provide an ongoing development in the appreciation, enjoyment, and education that the Cinematheque offers.
Our marketing strategy includes membership development, The Cinematheque Newsletter, The Founding Circle and other direct mailings. Telemarketing is also used to market Cinematheque products and/or services. We use targeted advertisements, general listings, flyers, programs, flyers, brochures, the database and contacts with the press.
MBFS is launching a fundraising campaign to cover the initial costs of starting up the Cinematheque. Each area of need is strategically matched with potential donors, beginning with construction costs and ending in festival grants. There are several areas that can be used to raise funds: the Start-Up Donor Drive; grant development; fundraising events; hiring fundraising professionals; sponsorship agreements; and research on other film festival operations.
The Miami Beach Cinematheque website www.mbcinema.com will be an example of the creativity and style for the film society and the eventual film festival. The website will have strategic directional links on all pages to lead to sales, whether on-line or later on-site. The Miami Beach International Film Festival website will be separate, www.miamibeachfilmfestival.com, and the two sites will mutually benefit by being linked at many strategic points.
A Director and Board have run the Cinematheque for years. With the opening of the Cinematheque, the staff will now include an Operations Manager. The Director of the Cinematheque will continue in that role until the need arises. Volunteers will continue to be involved in many capacities. The volunteer Board is a key part of organizing this area. Each will be responsible for a specific area of volunteer management. As the Miami Beach International Film Festival’s (MBIFF) development approaches, the team will be ready to take on the larger project. Potential managers will also be available for paid positions when needed. The Board of Trustees (Trustees), also volunteer, will be expanded and developed by the Director and Board to make available expert advise, donations of in-kind and products and services.
Dana Keith is the founder and director. The non-profit organization was founded in 1993. He has two bachelor’s degrees, one in Cinema (emphasizing film history, aesthetics, and criticism), and one in Fine Arts (emphasizing graphic arts with photography/photolithography), from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His film exhibition background includes management of the Arlington Center for the Performing Arts in Santa Barbara, and The Red Rock 11 Theatres, at the time the world’s largest theatre complex. The ten-year experience he has had researching museums and cinematheques across Europe has influenced him and has helped him develop his ideas and concepts for the Cinematheque. Experts rate his collection, which includes souvenir programs from every country, covering all of the history of cinema, as one of their best. They will be a major part of Cinematheque’s marketing, exhibition, education and outreach.
The Board of Directors, which has served in many capacities over the years, has remained strong and helped to make MBFS a significant part of Miami Beach’s cultural landscape. Actress Barbara Pergament –, Chairman, Lucille Accella of Northwest Airlines –, Secretary/Treasurer George Neary, Director of Cultural Tourism For The Greater Miami Visitors and Convention Bureau Marybeth Sheehan of DeNiro Realty Cristiane Roget from AP+Films International and Seth Finkel Esq. 8211; Legal Consultant are all long-time supporters and will be more involved in the expansion of The Society, helping to build the Board of Trustees and helping to guide it.
In line for important positions on the team include future Programmers/Production Directors
Juan Carlos Zaldivar, Rhonda Mitrani. Juan Carlos Zaldivar is a director and producer. He received his BFA in film production and MFA in film studies from NYU Film School.
How To Make A Bird, How To Make A Tree,
How To Make A River
. He was named a Sundance Film Institute Fellow in the summer of that year. Juan produces for PBS.
The Life
. He teaches at NYU’s Undergraduate Film Program.
Rhonda L. Mitrani, Director/producer/editor, is graduate of the University of Michigan, BFA. Her film career began at Miramax Films, New York. She was the Post Coordinator for Marvin’s Room. She also assisted with Modulations, which was shown at Sundance Film Festivals. As editor, she was principal on such films as Hit and Run, and edited for the Internet company Pseudo Programs and recently for the film The Suitor. She is a regular ABC editor. Cuba Mia is her first feature documentary.
Other team members include Technical Coordinator Aleksandar Stojanovic of CWS Productions, Grants Consultant Pola Reydburd, Special Events Producer Paulo Sadri with TMG Productions, International Film Festival Liaison Sandy Mandelberger of International Media Resources, and North and South American Correspondent Jesse Rodriguiz based in Chicago. This international team will make the Cinematheque & MBIFF a huge success. The team is expected to grow as we develop.
The balance sheet and all tables in this plan indicate a balanced but adequate growth of net worth. It also shows a satisfactory financial position. The appendix contains the monthly and annual estimates.
With continued growth as allowed by this strong plan, MBFS will be in position to continue development for the Miami Beach International Film Festival, which will grow after the first year into a major international film festival, while the Cinematheque continues to thrive as a successful addition to Miami Beach culture.
1.1 Objectives
Our business and marketing goals during the first season of Cinematheque are:
- To open the space on Espanola Way with a basic build-out, helped by the in-kind and monetary donations of appropriate partners, individuals and businesses.
- In the first year, to earn over $10,000 monthly from ticket sales to programming, memberships. Retail sales in various departments. Outreach, meeting space fees and related service.
- To maintain a strong margin of gross profit of at least 60 percent from the sales of products, and services.
- To receive at least $10,000 the first year from newly-developed funding sources like grants. The amount depends on when and how qualified you are.
- To develop and sustain a strong membership base at various levels of donorship.
- To develop an outreach programme that includes new markets, and opens the door for the ultimate programming goal: The Miami Beach International Film Festival. The festival will debut only months into its second-year.
1.2 Mission
The Miami Beach Film Society’s mission is to provide a cultural alternative to the commercial film experience, and to celebrate and promote the artistic elements of the medium, and to nurture and promote the art of filmmaking itself. The Cinematheque, which will house MBFS, will provide a historic and unique setting for the Society to continue its mission.
The mission will incorporate special consideration of Miami Beach’s culture diversity. The Cinematheque, which will promote inclusion of international elements, will serve as a base. The final display will be The Miami Beach International Film Festival. The Cinematheque will be a hub for arts appreciation and film for many local communities as well as visitors. It will be a place where you can use, enjoy, learn and discover. It will also serve as a place of inclusion and respect with a strong focus on the development and implementation of creativity and innovative ideas.
