Films Selected For Art Coast Studios Summer Grant Program

LARGO, FL — Creative Pinellas announced the following filmmaker grantees were selected from the Arts Coast Studios Summer Grant period:

Debbie Yati Garrett (Premiere: SIMI The Series, Episode 1), Aurailieus Artist (Distribution: Making a Mural for SHINE Mural Festival 7, Painting Trains, and Artist Eating Sandwiches, Episode 1), Tod
Stephens (Distribution: Fractal Immersion) and Cultured Books Literacy Foundation
(Distribution: Read About: Art).

These videos are now available to view on Creative Pinellas’ website under Arts Coast Studios, an online streaming platform created to highlight and feature local art, artists and filmmakers.

“Arts Coast Studios is unique because it is focused on providing a source of funding for Pinellas
County creators and putting that creative expression in front of travelers to the Arts Coast,” said
Director of Tourism Product Development and Strategy Kimberly DiVito. “I am looking forward to
Arts Coast Studios growing over the next few years.”

Arts Coast Studios Premiere will share the work of Debbie Yati Garrett’s SIMI The Series, Episode 1, which is about a young child, Simi Unction, who is forced into an induced coma due to what’s presumed to be a major illness that affects his nervous system and causes him great pain. Time passes and he awakens as an adult on a new journey of self-discovery to find out who he is, his purpose and what's causing his condition.

Arts Coast Studios Distribution is ready to share three short films by Aurailieus Artist that give an inside look to his work as an artist and some of the events happening in the art scene in Pinellas County including "Making a Mural for SHINE Mural Festival 7, Painting Trains,
and Artist Eating Sandwiches," Episode 1 featuring Jenee Priebe as guest.

Filmmaker Tod Stephens’ piece "Fractal Immersion" takes math and color values to create a
unique abstract artwork moving through space and time.

Cultured Books Literacy Foundation will also be featured with its short film "Read About: Art,"
an unscripted series that brings books to life through literary-based field trips throughout the
Tampa Bay area. This episode explores black representation within art spaces in St. Petersburg, all while connecting experiences to Kimberly Drew’s book, "This is What I Know About
Art."

“There is no question that film is a growing art industry on the Arts Coast. The three different
grant categories and the addition of the newest Arts Access Documentation Grant invite local
filmmakers and artists of all kinds to share their work for consideration,” said Creative Pinellas
Arts Project Manager Lea Umberger. “We can't wait to see what films come in for the next selection round this November.”

Creative Pinellas Art Coast Studios Fall Grants will consist of three categories: Arts Coast Studios Premiere, Arts Coast Studios Distribution and Arts Coast Studios for Arts Organizations.

Art Coast Studios will offer an online, curated experience that will bring new arts performances, arts-related programs and films to residents and visitors of the Arts Coast – and anywhere in the world.

Submitted content can be filmed performances, studio and gallery tours, video conversations and lectures, documentaries, short or feature-length films and digital arts experiences.

A new grant has been added - Arts Coast Studios Arts Access Documentation Grant, created to
help support artists with grants that range from $150-$500 to be used to document their work,
either a performance, interview or studio tour. The grant is not for multi-camera shoots with
multiple takes, but for assisting with the costs of capturing a live performance, community arts
project, event or exhibition as it happens. Funds can also be used to hire an editor to work with
footage that you shot yourself.

“We are excited about this program and its potential to bring recognition to the Pinellas County
Arts Coast by highlighting the talented filmmakers, artists and arts organizations in our
community,” said Creative Pinellas CEO Barbara St. Clair. “The digital platform allows us to
reach and connect with a broad audience, and make the great work done by artists living and
working in Pinellas County available to audiences worldwide.”

For Arts Coast Studios Premiere, the content allowed may have been presented at film festivals, digital film festivals or in-person events, but has not been released via streaming services or video viewing website.

What you need to know about this opportunity:
● You retain all the rights to your work.
● Video content will be presented exclusively, in full, on Arts Coast Studios for four weeks
and remain on the site for at least three months.
● After the four-week premiere status is over, filmmakers are welcome to share their content on their sites or any other sites or streaming services.
● Creative Pinellas pays $400 to $1,000 for each film accepted for distribution
Learn more here.