Miami’s documentary filmmakers have a golden opportunity knocking. The Miami Film Festival has opened applications for the third edition of The Louies, its annual grant program that awards $100,000 to six Miami-based filmmakers to create or finish documentaries about South Florida.
Created in partnership with the Lynn & Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation, The Louies enters its third year with an exciting new addition: the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation joins the program as a partner this year, expanding the support for local storytellers. Applications are open from September 28 through November 6, 2026.
The program funds documentaries in different stages of production, including finishing funds — two filmmakers will receive $10,000 each to complete a feature-length documentary in post-production. The finished films will be screened by the Miami Film Festival, giving local stories a big-screen platform and a national audience.
“The Louies were created to champion Miami documentary filmmakers and help local stories reach the big screen,” said James Woolley, executive director of Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival. Applicants must be full-time Miami-Dade County residents, 18 or older. A virtual information session takes place Monday, October 13 at 5:30 p.m. — a perfect first step for anyone with a story worth telling.
Photo: Miami Film Festival
