Gainesville Goes Global: Fund "Audience" to Light Up Puerto Aventuras Film Festival!

Dear Gainesville supporters and fellow art lovers,From our self-proclaimed "Known Center of the Universe," the dedicated team behind the surreal short film Audience—directed by Tom Miller—is thrilled to share that we've been officially selected for the prestigious Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival (PAIFF) in Riviera Maya, Mexico. This IMDb-qualifying, destination-style event (named one of North America's "12 Must-Attend Film Festivals") runs March 25–29, 2026, offering a stunning platform to showcase Gainesville's bold, independent creative spirit to an international audience.Audience—a thought-provoking experimental piece that flips the script on theater etiquette and human connection—has already earned acclaim at festivals. Now, we have the chance to represent our local scene on a global stage, putting a spotlight on Gainesville while bringing fresh perspectives to paradise.We're planning a five-day presence there, including setting up a "base camp" for our team to fully engage, network, and celebrate. The funds we're raising will cover essential costs: travel, lodging, festival ticket/entry fees, and related expenses. Our team is putting in as much as we can personally, but we're reaching out to the Gainesville community to join this broader effort—because times are tough, especially for artists elevating our vibrant local scene.Your support will help make this happen and create a mutual glow: Gainesville lighting up the festival, and PAIFF shining a light back on our city.As a special thank-you, anyone donating $50 or more will receive an exclusive "Audience in Mexico" coffee mug (details on the perk coming soon—stay tuned!).Contribute now via our GiveButter campaign and help us bridge the final gap. Every bit counts toward turning this opportunity into a reality for our team and our town.Gratefully,
Tom Miller and the Audience Team