About

“We are committed to the community using a modern social enterprise philosophy. We are dedicated to excellence in filmmaking by using a professional studio model. We are inspired by the extraordinary creative talent of Miami. We are fueled by the energy of a unique young multicultural metropolis.” - Patrick de Bokay, CEO

In 2008, University of Miami seniors,Joshua Miller and Sam Rega developed their first documentary, Miami Noir: The Arthur E. Teele Story, an account of the events that led to City of Miami Commissioner, Arthur Teele’s very public suicide in thelobby of The Miami Herald building in July 2005. The filmmakers raised a budget of $20,000 through the auspices of the University of Miami.Relentlessly pursuing their vision despite over 30 interview rejections, they cut a two-minute trailer to the film and posted it onYouTube. Miami International Film Festival director Patrick de Bokay discovered it. Patrick’s keen eye for realizing talent led him to push the filmmakers to put their hearts into hours of editing to finish the final cut for the festival. After three months of intense post-production, they delivered the film in time for the festival.Their hard work paid off. The film was an instant success gathering rave reviews from Miami news outlets. This dedication is the attitude Patrick, Josh and Sam hope to instill in other filmmakers, and this is the root concept for their next endeavor, Miami World Cinema Center.

Knight Foundation and Miami World Cinema Center

On December 1st, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recognized Miami World Cinema Center as one of 31 recipients out of 1,643 original applicants for its Knight Arts Partnership grant. With $8 million distributed to arts projects in South Florida, Knight Foundation awarded MWCC a matching grant of $750,000 over four years. This is a unique and opportune milestone for MWCC to set the pace for a greater film industry in Miami. MWCC is the first non-profit film studio, based in Miami, supported by the community and dedicated to local talent. MWCC’s company members and affiliates are passionate about filmmaking; they believe in the art of filmmaking as an educational, historical and entertaining medium. MWCC will operate within all aspects of filmmaking: development, preproduction, production, post-production, promotion and distribution. MWCC works with high schools, universities, local professionals, producers, distributors and festivals to enhance creative talent and increase independent film production. The long-term goal is for the MWCC logo to be a signature of excellent programs and films produced in Miami.