The Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College (MDC), currently closed for renovations, will reopen in 2025 (the centennial of its first opening) with a multi-floor permanent exhibition. The exhibition will celebrate Freedom Tower’s long and storied history as a beacon of hope, opportunity and freedom in Miami.

The Miami Film Festival, the Museum of Art and Design at MDC, and the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives invites filmmakers to create a 10-minute documentary film about the Freedom Tower for full and unlimited use by MDC, to celebrate its centennial anniversary. The film will make use of archival materials and new interviews and “b-roll.”

The film should present a comprehensive history of the Freedom Tower, as well as its symbolic significance to the people of Miami. After watching the film, viewers should be convinced that “You can’t tell the story of Miami without telling the story of Freedom Tower.”

The film must present the following chapters in Freedom Tower history:

• Freedom Tower architecture and design
• Home of The Miami News
• Press as connecting thread across freedom and opportunity
• The Cuban Revolution and the creation of the Cuban Refugee Assistance Center
• Efforts to preserve and restore the Freedom Tower
• Connection to Miami Dade College
• Role as a civic plaza for the Miami community
• Individual stories from local community and prominent figures connected to the Freedom Tower

Filmmakers are invited to propose creative visual treatments, illustration, animation, and original video capture in addition to using historical footage. The concept should plan for interviews with prominent figures from the community with a special connection to the Freedom Tower. MDC will identify and provide introductions to these individuals. Filmmakers should define an interview format as part of their creative vision.

The film should make use of the extensive visual archive in the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives at Miami Dade College. Visit: wolfsonarchives.org.

Request for Proposals

MDC requests proposals from experienced filmmakers who would like to be considered. Applications will open February 13, 2024 and close April 14, 2024.

Applications must include:

• Short bio of each of the key production personnel
• Examples of previous work (online links preferred)
• Creative vision for the documentary – no more than 3 pages
• Budget describing estimated allocation of funds into major components (e.g., studio rental, video crew, composer, etc.)

Three Finalists Selected

Three proposals will be invited & receive $5,000 to assist in creating a 2-minute sample documentary. The 2-minute sample must be complete by July 30, 2024.

Scope of Services – Final Film

From the three sample documentaries one finalist will be selected to complete a 10-minute film. The finalist will receive funding and support to film and produce a 10-minute length film incorporating new and existing footage.

Budget for Final Film

The final film will be provided with an additional $30,000 to complete a 10-minute film.

Deadlines Summary

Round 1 – requests for proposals: submitted by April 14, 2024
Round 2 – three finalists deliver 2-minute sample: completed by July 30, 2024
Round 3 – final 10-minute film completed by January 31, 2025

Questions and Submissions

Questions and final submissions should be directed to info@miamifilmfestival.com

For more information about the Freedom Tower, visit https://moadmdc.org/freedom-tower/about-the-freedom-tower