Organizers of the Borscht Film Festival say it's about telling the stories of the region by people who are from the area.
"We tell unique Florida stories, unique Miami stories," says Borscht veteran Jillian Mayer. "Miami and Florida is often portrayed a certain way in the media, and that's most likely a result of previous cinematic work that's come out of here."
Mayer says it's those Miami stereotypes that they want to avoid.
The Borscht Film Festival premieres Dec. 17 its ninth installation of films, parties and other events related to creativity and Miami weirdness. Borscht's love for the 305 is evident in its films (a "Scarface" redux), its visual designs (neons, pastels and palm trees) and all its other antics (a 305GB hard drive carrying "Miami culture" will be shot into space).
There will be a lot going on during Borscht week. Here's what we recommend you check out:
Spaceship Miami at the Planetarium
Borscht's fictional Miami Aeronautics and Space Administration will launch on a satellite the aforementioned hard drive containing 305 gigabytes of what they call "Miami culture." In addition to the launch of El Viajero, the Miami Museum of Science will premiere short films and offer free Pabst Blue Ribbon beer to people wearing space apparel.
Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Miami Museum of Science Planetarium, 3280 S. Miami Ave., Miami. Free with festival ticket. borscht9.com
"Papa Machete" screening and machete-fencing master class
Jonathan David Kane documented the obscure art of tire machet, Haitian machete fencing, born out of the Haitian Revolution, when French slaves on the island fought Napoleon's army with the hacking tools. At the Little Haiti Cultural Center, the screening follows a master class taught by one of the film's subjects.
Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m., Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami. Free with festival ticket, or $5 donation. borscht9.com
Ignition Remix: Lobby Takeover at the Intercontinental Hotel
The space of Intercontinental's dancing lady on the side of the hotel will be taken over by video art installations by Borscht's Jillian Mayer, Ahol Sniffs Glue and others. The night will end with a 12-story 8-bit projection.
Dec. 19, 6 p.m., Intercontinental Hotel, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami. Free. borscht9.com
The Multiverse
This is where you can experience Borscht in all its glory. Watch a showcase of YoungArts alumni's films, tour the "psychedelic town square" -- inspired by "Adventures of Chris Bosh in the Multiverse," a Borscht mainstay -- and explore a multifaceted carnival designed by filmmakers.
Dec. 19, 7 p.m., National YoungArts Foundation Campus, 2100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Free with ticket or $10 donation. borscht9.com
Borscht 9
This is the crux of the Borscht Film Festival. Watch all of this year's festival films at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. $25, $15 for students. borscht9.com
Scarface Redux
You can still submit your own version of a scene from the Miami classic "Scarface" at scarfaceredux.com. When submissions are all in Friday, Dec. 12, Borscht masters will put the clips together as "Scarface Redux." The remix will be screened at Mansion Nightclub, which used to be a "grand movie house."
Dec. 21, 8 p.m., Mansion Nightclub, 1235 Washington Ave., Miami. Free to all who submit a clip or $10 donation. borscht9.com
