New to the Miami International Film Festival? Here's a Guide -

Updated for the 2016 Miami International Film Festival, March 7-16

Each year, the Miami International Film Festival showcases nearly 150 films from around the globe, but don’t be intimidated. It’s still an intimate and manageable affair.

The festival is held in early March. With multiple screenings and venues scattered around Miami, you’ll likely have plenty of opportunities to see the films that pique your interest. The programming has something for everyone, considering Miami’s eclectic crowd, but naturally the festival has distinguished itself with films from Latin America. While South Beach has its fair share of celebrity sightings, Miami’s film festival isn’t as consumed with the glitz and glamour as one would think. Industry is there, but it doesn’t detract from the regular festival-goer’s experience.

Since I’ve had such a great time, here are 10 tips to help you navigate the scene.

1. Figure out the type of experience you want.

In my case, I found that the parties were great, but the movies were better and more memorable. So I usually just focus on the film.

2. Set a budget and stick to it.

My first year I wanted to experience a little of everything. I was also dumb and spent way more than I anticipated. The following year, I started setting aside funds for tickets, gas, parking, and meals a month in advance. I had fun and didn’t break the bank.

Don’t think that if you’re going on a budget, you won’t have a good time. Be sure to take advantage of any free events and discounts available. Students can get $5 off regular tickets, while seniors get $1 off. Students at Miami Dade College can also get festival tickets for free, and sometimes the festival offers free screenings at outside venues. Local retailers and restaurants might also offer discounts if you present your ticket stub. You can find details on special rates and deals at the festival’s website.

3. Do a little research to find films you will enjoy.

With nearly 150 movies over 10 days, you should have a plan. Here’s a formula that’s worked for me:

Head over to www.miamifilmfestival.com.
Download the film schedule.
Read the synopses online and start making your cuts.
Watch the film trailers of the movies that are left and make further cuts.
Break the remaining films down into two groups: must-sees and maybes.
The maybes go through a round of elimination: Which ones have scheduling conflicts with your must-sees? Are there ones in similar categories that you can eliminate? Are there ones you’d have a better chance of seeing later at one of the local indie theaters or online?
Keep making cuts until the list satisfies your budget and fits into a realistic schedule.

4. Get your tickets early.

You don’t want to miss one of your must-sees because it’s sold out, so get your tickets early. You can buy online and print them at home. If you’re using a discount that requires ID, you can go to the main box office at the Regal South Beach on Lincoln Road and get all of your tickets in one trip.

5. Get familiar with the venues and don’t overlook parking.

The venues are scattered around the city, with each offering its own viewing experience. And although this is Miami, the festival does not run on Miami Standard Time (an hour after everything else). Always give yourself ample time for traffic and parking.

Regal South Beach: A three-story multiplex at the edge of Lincoln Road. This is where most of the films are screened, and Lincoln Road offers some distraction if you have some downtime. If you park at the garage on Alton Road between Lincoln Road and 16th Street, you can validate your ticket at the theater and get a discount rate. There is also metered street parking, pay parking lots, and other parking garages nearby.
Olympia Theater: Opulent 1920s theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. There is free parking on Flagler Street from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. from West First Avenue to Biscayne Boulevard; $5 parking from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the College Station Garage at 100 NE Third Street (three blocks north of theater) and the Convention Center Garage at 100 SE Second Street (two blocks south of theater); $12 valet parking across from the venue; and metered street parking.
Miami Beach Cinematheque: Small theater and gallery is like watching movies in your grandpa’s old study — tres cool. You’ll find metered street parking and a parking garage directly behind the venue at Miami Beach City Hall.
O Cinema Wynwood: Cutting-edge indie theater in the heart of Wynwood. Street parking is available.
O Cinema Miami Beach: The local theater chain’s latest offshoot in North Beach. Street and lot parking are free after 6 p.m. If you can’t find a space next to the theater, try the large parking lot on 72nd Street and Abbott Avenue.
Coral Gables Art Cinema: 140-seat theater in downtown Coral Gables. You can validate your ticket from the parking garage next door. Metered street parking is also available.
Cinepolis: Located on the top floor at CocoWalk in Coconut Grove and features The Lot Bar and Lounge. Garage parking is discounted with theater validation.
Tower Theater: A nicely restored theater with two screens. There’s a free parking lot behind the theater in addition to metered street parking.

6. Double-check the schedule.

Sometimes screenings are rescheduled, added, or moved to a different venue. The festival is usually good about updating the website with any changes. You should also follow them on Twitter (@miamifilmfest) to stay in the loop.

7. Stick around for the Q&As.

Festival organizers try to bring a director and/or actor from the movie to speak about the film. They’re usually gracious about answering audience questions, and you get the behind-the-scenes scoop straight from the source. It’s also fun because the audience can be unpredictable. Plus, you might be able to meet directors and actors on your way out.

8. Don’t forget to vote.

Most of these movies are up for the Audience Award, so make sure you get your ballot and vote. Ushers will hand out ballots as you enter or exit the theater. You can rate the movies from one to five, with one being poor and five being excellent. Once the movie is finished, just tear the ballot along the corresponding line, put it in the box on your way out, and you’re done.

9. Look out for festival films throughout the year.

Keep a list of the movies that you wanted to see but didn’t. You might have an opportunity to see them in theaters or on Netflix, iTunes, or Amazon after the festival.

10. Consider becoming a volunteer.

If you want to get up close and personal to the festival, sign up to volunteer. There are positions available for ushers, greeters, media relations, crowd control, customer service, and more. You get a free ticket for every three hours of work, but you also get to meet some awesome people and have an insider’s perspective.

Have any other tips or want to share your film festival experience? Let me know in the comments. Happy festival-going!

Feature Photo: Creative Commons image courtesy of Xynn Tii Imagery, 2010.