WEG Weekend
WEG Weekend is a three-day event celebrating South Florida’s unique cinematic voices and traditions.
Featuring special screenings, technologically reimagined panels, gamified networking opportunities, and sponsored parties throughout.
WEG Weekend is made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Featuring special screenings, technologically reimagined panels, gamified networking opportunities, and sponsored parties throughout.
WEG Weekend is made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
all inclusive event
Full access to all WEG Weekend programs, panels, and
parties included with cost of admission.
PROGRAMS
Featuring a variety of films made and/or created by award-winning SoFla filmmakers and film collectives as well as films commissioned through the WEG Short Film Lab. A filmmaker-driven initiative created by WEG and ASFI to help fund original SoFlo projects and provide free public arts programs for historically underserved SoFla communities.
PANELS
Experience a host of technologically innovative panels and laid-back roundtable talks reimagined to give audiences an active role in crafting complex discussions with both local and visiting industry leaders and experts.
PARTIES
The Weekend also includes multiple sponsored parties and themed cocktail hours, with performances from local music acts. Free drinks included for pass holders throughout the entire event. Including a Pioneer Winter Collective Party, a El Reggaetonero Party, and a Caribbean Music Closing party.
Featured Programs
WEG Weekend featured over 30 unique programs over the course of 3 days. Programs that brought the community together from around South Florida to celebrate the incredible work being created in the region, to learn from industry leaders both local and visiting, and to create opportunities for networking growth.
WEG WEEKEND 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Below you'll find some of our favorite programs from the three-day event.
SHORTS BLOCK A + DIGITAL DIALOGUE: TELLING WOMEN’S STORIES
A screening of short films followed by a digital dialogue panel focused on showcasing and discussing in-depth, the challenges, philosophies, and nuances that accompany the authentic telling of women’s stories on screen.
Moderated by: Taylor Miller (Slamdance Film Festival Director)
Moderated by: Taylor Miller (Slamdance Film Festival Director)
FIRESIDE W/ WEG: CREATING CAREER SUSTAINABILITY
With little in the way of substantial industry infrastructures supporting our regional industry, South Florida film professionals are often forced to become some of the craftiest creatives in the country in order to sustain their artistic practice. Accomplishing this feat through very different approaches, this intimate, informal conversation pulls back the curtain on how these South Florida filmmakers individually manage to create financial and career sustainability for themselves and their organizations while continuously growing their robust artistic practices.
Speakers: Paola Larramendi (KPRA/Stage 22), Carlos Dominicis (Cafeteria Films), Edson Jean (Bantufy Films) and Melissa Quintans (Matices Media/Stage 22)
Speakers: Paola Larramendi (KPRA/Stage 22), Carlos Dominicis (Cafeteria Films), Edson Jean (Bantufy Films) and Melissa Quintans (Matices Media/Stage 22)
DIGITAL DIALOGUE: FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER’S POV
Join us for a conversation with a seasoned panel of film festival programmers as we get candid about what goes into programming some of the most prestigious film festivals in the country, what programmers are looking for and how filmmakers can create successful festival runs for themselves. Audiences are invited to interact with panelists via a digital screen displaying audience questions and discussion topics voted on in real time.
Panelists: Brian Ratigan (Slamdance & Atlanta FF), Paul Sbrizzi (Slamdance & Mammoth Lakes FF) & Chris Molina (Sun Pass & Miami FF)
Panelists: Brian Ratigan (Slamdance & Atlanta FF), Paul Sbrizzi (Slamdance & Mammoth Lakes FF) & Chris Molina (Sun Pass & Miami FF)
THE PICTURES OF: THE PIONEER WINTER COLLECTIVE
A celebration and showcase of the works created by the Pioneer Winter Collective. Showcasing specific clips from multiple projects and discussing in detail the ideas and philosophy behind the award-winning Collective’s nationally celebrated work, this in-depth conversation aims to demystify the art of creating dance films as well as explore the unique cinematic practice of one of South Florida’s most celebrated artist collectives.
Lensrentals.com FILMMAKER BINGO
WEG's take on gamifying the networking experience. We've partnered with Lensrentals to create an opportunity for SoFla filmmakers to meet one another through outthe WEG Weekend event. The first three individual filmmakers to form their own film crew by strategically exchanging their Filmmaker Bingo cards received a $1,000 gift card from our generous and beloved confidants at Lensrentals.com in support of their next project.
DIGITAL DIALOGUE PANEL: PRODUCING THE SHORT
Short films from South Florida have consistently won awards at top festivals year after year. Join us for a digital dialogue led by a panel of award-winning SoFlo film producers as they discuss creative methods, best practices, and the myriad of successes and failures they’ve encountered over the years. Audiences are invited to interact with the panelist via a digital screen behind them which will showcase audience questions, polls, and discussion topics which can be voted on by the audience in real time.
Panelists: Kevin Contento, Ale Marie Odriozola, Hansel Porras Garcia, Jennifer Orta Castellanos
Panelists: Kevin Contento, Ale Marie Odriozola, Hansel Porras Garcia, Jennifer Orta Castellanos
DIGITAL DIALOGUE: FILM PRESS & PR 101
Join us for a conversation with Rachel Pinzur and Andrea Salazar, two of SoFlo’s most notable PR experts and the minds behind Pinzur Communications. With decades of experience representing filmmakers and SoFlo arts organizations like the Miami Film Festival, the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival and Oolite Arts, the Pinzur team will reveal the ins and outs of attracting press and crafting a successful marketing campaign for your film. Audiences are invited to interact with panelists via a digital screen displaying audience questions and discussion topics voted on in real time.
Panelists: Rachel Pinzur & Andrea Salazar
Panelists: Rachel Pinzur & Andrea Salazar
FIRESIDE W/ WEG: CHRISTINA CAMPAGNOLA’S “AGENTS & MANAGERS IN THE FILM INDUSTRY”
All the information you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask about agents + managers in the film industry. Led by Christina Campagnola, a Manager and Producer with a focus on diverse, independent voices, and multi-hyphenates, across all platforms. Christina began her management career at Imagine Artist Management. Before management, Christina was an agent in the Motion Picture Literary Department at APA (Agency for the Performing Arts) where she represented filmmakers. During her time at APA, she helped launch their Independent Film Packaging and Sales division. She is the co-founder of the Untitled Ladies Script Club and serves on the Dean’s Council of the Florida State University Film School.
FIRESIDE W/ WEG: CARIBBEAN COMPOSERS
Join us for this intimate conversation with the composers of two Caribbean-centeric films (KONPA & EL REGGAETONERO) from the WEG Short FILM LAB. Centered around the crafting and shaping of Caribbean-themed film scores, the program will be a hybrid between a listening party and a roundtable discussion, featuring clips from the films and in-depth conversation on the music making process.
Panelists: DEMBOWYZ, Mago Music, Darnell Monestime
Panelists: DEMBOWYZ, Mago Music, Darnell Monestime
WEG Weekend event space
MAD Arts
A studio driven by the continuous desire to explore and strengthen the cultural and artistic significance of the creative community.
The three-day event took over MAD Arts Space, a state of the art digital museum, with over 7 unique rooms filled with screenings, panels, VR experiences, and more.
The three-day event took over MAD Arts Space, a state of the art digital museum, with over 7 unique rooms filled with screenings, panels, VR experiences, and more.
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Projection Mapped Digital Art
MAD Arts MADStudios collaborated with WEG Films to create projection mapped walls that brought the official weekend poster to life. 5K laser projects were used throughout the venue space to bring the event to life.
The VR Room
WEG Weekend Attendees were able to experience two unique VR projects. Project S.H.E.L.L and Liberty City VR's: The Wall. Both projects created in Miami, FL by Miami filmmakers.
Outside the Venue
MAD Arts large backyard was turned into a filmmaking playground. Food trucks, digital and physical art, LED lights, and plenty of seating provided guests with a getaway from the programming happening inside the venue.
Open Bar
An open bar provided attendees with free beer, wine and cocktails all three-days. Drinks provided by E11even Vodka, The Pale, PALMA® Cerveza, Topo Chico, and Liquid Death
The Mirror Room
A more intimate way to experience South Florida films. Audiences are invited into an enclosed room where they are introduced to a short film by the filmmaker themselves, and ultimately encouraged to have an intimate discussion with their fellow audience members.
Closing Parties
Close out each day of the event with a party. Live music, open bar, and a dance floor with your name on it.