About the Film Festival
With its unique location and captivating topography, nestled within an island village and flanked by two government-protected parks, the Key Biscayne Film Festival is on a mission to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for our delicate ecosystem through the medium of arts. By curating a diverse selection of works that delve into our global situation, the festival endeavors to raise awareness and inspire positive action.
An essential aspect of the Key Biscayne Film Festival is its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Embracing the cause of reducing single-use plastic and promoting waste-conscious practices, the festival invites attendees to partake in a transformative and eco-friendly multiple-day event.
Situated at a symbolic crossroads between North America, South America, and the Caribbean, the festival aims to celebrate and honor the rich tapestry of cultures in this vibrant community. While paying tribute to its local population, the festival goes beyond geographical boundaries, welcoming contributions from various continents and cultures, focusing on Island Cultures and their diaspora, as well the world Ocean, its flora and fauna.
Spanish and Portuguese language films that resonate with the Key’s diverse population will be highlighted. In addition to film screenings, the festival will host engaging panel discussions featuring artists and creatives from these cultural backgrounds, providing a platform for insightful dialogues about their work and experiences.
In essence, the Key Biscayne Film Festival stands as a powerful catalyst for environmental consciousness and cultural appreciation, uniting people through the universal language of arts to create a positive impact on our planet and the global community.
Join the Festival and support the arts via these various sponsorship opportunities.
Meet the Film Festival Team
Maite Garrido Thornton
Maite Garrido Thornton has been a Key Biscayne resident for the last 20 years and a Miami native all her life. A Cuban American television journalism producer, Maite started her career at CNN in Washington DC.
Maite went on to produce financial news at CNBC in New York where she helped launch the Faber Report with David Faber Moving back to her hometown Miami in 2001, Maite went on to produce local news first at NBC6 where she worked as a line producer and health producer.
She then went on to CBS 4 news where she worked alongside Lisa Petrillo in special projects producing entertainment news. While at CBS 4 Maite was awarded a Suncoast Emmy award for her work with Lisa. Her love of movies and the island inspired her for many years to create a local film festival.
Isabel Custer
A Miami native, Isabel Custer grew up visiting her best friend and grandparents on weekends on Key Biscayne. Her film and media studies include a Bachelor’s in Film Production from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, a Masters in Film from La Sorbonne and a Video Portfolio degree from Miami Ad School. Upon graduating from Tisch, Isabel managed the production of Jay Martel’s first feature Terrorists. Then she worked in documentary films in France and advertising production in Chile.
Isabel has written, directed, edited and produced a feature documentary, short films and music videos featured in various international film festivals. She also writes and composes songs, under the moniker Isabela, widely distributed on digital platforms. Beyond music and film, she has also written two musicals, a book of essays & an as yet unpublished YA Novel. Isabel is a board member of the Miami Film Lab, whose goal it is to help South Florida filmmakers achieve their creative goals. She is currently developing her first narrative feature and lives on Key Biscayne.
A special thank you to the Key Biscayne Film Festival’s committee members are: Claire Amerena, Tanya Bravo, Andrew Britton, Frank Caplan, Luis de la Cruz, Arlette Dueñas, Alexis Garcia, Camila Holguín, Claire London, Pablo Sanchis, Mary Tague, and Thania Vernon.
Thank You to Our Founders Circle
The dedication & generosity of our Founders Circle supports the film festival in continuing to highlight the island’s dedication to growing its arts and cultural programs and will serve as a platform for others to see what makes Key Biscayne so special.
Isabel Custer
Ed & Amy Easton
Joey & Jackie Estrella
Nick & Natalie Estrella
Jorge & Morgan Granier
Ed & Claire London
Spencer Raymond
Phillip & Elizabeth Rusch
Mario & Silvia Garcia Serra
Tom & Maite Thornton
Will & Jamie Tompkins
Robert & Thania Vernon
Taylor & Melissa White
Questions? Want to become a Sponsor? Contact us today.
Join us as we strive to enrich the Key Biscayne community and support local businesses through a captivating and family-friendly cinematic festival.
Our mission is to celebrate and promote the creation of original cinematic art, showcasing the talents of local artists and those from around the globe. At the heart of our festival lies a shared passion for cinema, as we aim to cultivate a profound appreciation for the art form within Key Biscayne and beyond its borders.
Contact us today to become a sponsor: