MDC Alumna Commissioned To Develop Short Film About Family And Powerball

Mariana Serrano, who graduated from Miami Dade College’s School of Entertainment & Design Technology in 2019, was commissioned by the Miami Film Festival and Oolite Arts, a nonprofit art institution, to create a short film.

Serrano, 27, will develop Arroz, Leche y Powerball!, an eight to 12-minute film about a dysfunctional Hispanic family that takes a shot at the grand prize to improve their lives, but soon learns that the real prize lies deep within them. 

The film, which carries a $15,000 budget, is loosely based on Serrano’s family. 

“I just want people to be able to experience how it feels to live in a certain moment and in this case, my family,” Serrano said. “I am hoping the audience will have an experience with the characters.”

This is not the first time Serrano’s work will be showcased. In July of 2021, her 15-minute short film, Un Pequeno Corte, aired on PBS. The film was based on an impromptu haircut Serrano gave herself when she was six years old.  

Serrano’s latest film will be screened in late June at the Tower Theater Miami.

“[We hope] the Miami Community can come and see the program and give representation to the community by supporting artists,” said Serrano, who has a bachelor’s degree in Film, Television and Digital Production from the SEDT.