Key Biscayne Film Festival

Welcome to the Key Biscayne Film Festival, where we celebrate the cinematic art form, build community and raise awareness for the safekeeping of our marine environment!

Grounded in the commitment to honor Island Cultures and our World Oceans, we screen captivating short films to awe-inspiring feature-length films, while embracing the constantly evolving formats of the audiovisual medium. We are committed to providing artists with an intimate space to showcase their work and connect with their audience.

Whether you are a filmmaker seeking to unveil your latest masterpiece or an avid film enthusiast eager to explore innovative creations, the Key Biscayne Film Festival promises a rich and unique cultural and social experience. Join us on our island paradise as we create memories and inspire a new generation of visual storytellers.

About

Nestled in an island village flanked by two government-protected parks, the Key Biscayne Film Festival is on a mission to foster a deeper appreciation for our delicate ecosystem through the arts. By curating selection of works that delve into our global situation and share deeply moving human stories, the festival endeavors to raise awareness and inspire positive action.

An essential aspect of the Key Biscayne Film Festival is its commitment to environmental stewardship. 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 crossroads between North America, South America, and the Caribbean, the festival aims to honor the rich tapestry of cultures in its vibrant community, while also showcasing work from all continents and cultures, with a focus on Island Cultures and their diaspora, as well the world Oceans, their flora and fauna.

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.

Directors

Festival Co-Founder

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 

Festival Co-Founder & Programmer

A Miami native, Isabel grew up visiting her friends & family on Key Biscayne. Her 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 in post-production for her first narrative feature and lives on Key Biscayne.