Tuesday, November 5----A delegation of visiting filmmakers and media professionals were invited this morning for a tour of the digital arts facilities at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, one of the leading media arts schools in the nation. Dr. Amy Friedman Phillips, the Program Chair for Communications and Media Production, led the tour, explaining how the Art Institute trains its students for careers in the media arts.

Clearly proud of the investment that the Institute has made in cutting-edge equipment, software and facilities, Dr. Phillips related how graduates from the program were finding on-going work in the film, television and advertising communities in South Florida.

Visitors, Art Institute staff and other local media then were invited to a sumptuous brunch, held at the Culinary Arts division of the Art Institute. First year culinary students worked their magic with a delicious eggs benedict and bacon plate which was as beautiful to look at and it was to eat. Guests at the brunch included Elizabeth Wentworth, the Broward Country Film Commissioner, who warmly welcomed the crowd.

The visiting delegation included David Garland, Director of Marketing for Los Angeles-based Route 66 Productions; Rob Stewart, director of the film SHARKWATER which closes the Festival on November 12; Spanish producer Luis Angel Bellaba, whose film HEARTLIFT screens on Wednesday; William Prosser, producer/director of the documentary AND THE SEA TOOK US which screens on Sunday afternoon; and Tas Salini, a local producer/director whose film GRINGO WEDDING played to great acclaim on Sunday evening.

The Art Institute, much like the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, is committed to the highest level of training and in keeping media talent in the area, making South Florida not only a community that appreciates film but also contains professionals who work in the industry.

Sandy Mandeberger
Online Festival Dailies Editor