BOOSTING OPPORTUNITY: County and Commonwealth officials hoping their new partnership attracts more international film projects include, from left, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia; Lisa Adderly-Anderson, acting permanent secretary, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Ginger Moxey, prime minister for Grand Bahama; U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson; and Curt Hollingsworth, Miami consulate general. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Miami – Last week marked 40 years since the Commonwealth of the Bahamas launched its film commission in efforts to lure movie, TV and documentary producers to shoot their projects in the Caribbean Island.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, Miami-Dade County and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas launched a partnership to boost film industry collaboration and economic development opportunities that can bring millions and millions of dollars from Hollywood and other blockbuster film and studio companies.

The two parties are also hoping the new partnership attracts more international film projects to shooting locations in Miami-Dade and the Bahamas islands.

The agreement between the MiamiDade Office of Film and Entertainment and the Bahamas Film and Television Commission, a unit of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, creates the framework for a cooperative relationship in film education, promotion, and creating thousands of jobs.

"This partnership marks a new chapter for the film industries of Miami-Dade County and the Bahamas, neighboring communities,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “By working together, we can foster creativity, expand opportunities, and strengthen the economic impact of film production in both our communities. This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and our shared commitment to supporting the arts and culture industries."

According to Craig Woods, film commissioner for the Bahamas, the Caribbean nation with over 7,000 islands, has been used as a film location for more than 100 years, and was the place where the first underwater film was shot in 1916.

He said the Bahamas decided to create the film and TV commission in 1984 to attract more shootings in the Caribbean.

Popular Hollywood movies that were shot on locations in the Bahama islands include the "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Casino Royale," Scooby-Doo," “Holiday in the Sun" and "After the Sunset."

Woods said the “Pirates” films pumped over $40 million into the Bahamas economy at a time when the film industry was struggling. "The islands offer the ‘hot look’ in abundance more than any other film location destination in our region," he said. "What we have more than other locations are the finest and widest variety of beaches in the world."

Lisa Adderley-Anderson, acting permanent secretary in the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Investments, said its film industry has had its share of historic days, and the agreement with the county is as historic as any other.

“It is fitting that we strengthen film cooperation between The Bahamas and Miami-Dade in the 40th anniversary year of the Bahamas Film Commission. We are certain that this will mean bigger and better things for The Bahamas and for Miami-Dade, and that includes more film business.”

Miami-Dade has been the location for a slew of films including the blockbuster “Bad Boys” franchise starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in 1995, 2003, 2020 and 2024.

Other big name films shot in Miami-Dade were “Moonlighting,” which won an Oscar for best film,” Absence of Malice,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “All About the Benjamins” starring Ice Cube and comedian Mike Epps.

Due to its climate and the high sunshine amounts, Florida, especially Miami, has been a favored location for filmmakers and is still a major industry with the state ranking third in the U.S. for film production behind California and New York based on revenues, according to Wikipedia.

Miami has long been a popular filming location in Florida and continues to grow as the entertainment industry expands throughout the state.

The film industry’s combined economic impact in the local economy is about two billion dollars annually, with $100 to $150 million coming from more than 1,000 location filming shoots each year.

There are approximately 3,000 companies working in film and entertainment in Miami-Dade County employing over 15,000 workers.

Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama and official representative of The Bahamas and Caribbean to Sister Cities International, said the agreement with Miami-Dade will have greater financial impact.

“I am aware that it took many months of discussions and considerations to make today’s event happen,” said Moxey. “I thank the staff of The Bahamas Film and Television Commission and the Miami-Dade Office of Film and Entertainment for their dedication. It is their perseverance that made this Memorandum of Understanding a reality.”

U.S. Rep. Fredrica Wilson, who is of Bahamian descent and attended the ceremony, praised the agreement.

"Thrilled to join the launch of a transformative partnership between Miami-Dade and The Bahamas to grow the film industry and deepen our historic ties," she said. "Huge thanks to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Ginger Moxey for making this momentous collaboration possible."