Great locations, perfect weather, magical light, professional crews and state-of-the art production facilities lure filmmakers, commercial photographers, television crews, fashion designers, and musicians to Greater Miami and the Beaches in droves. Other vital ingredients -- world class accommodation, topnotch restaurants, a culturally diverse population and a vibrant nightlife are part of the mix that makes Miami one of the world's most desirable locations for film, fashion and entertainment production, not to mention the hottest vacation destination in the country.

Celebrities come to Miami to work and stay to play, upping the glamour quotient around hotel pools, in restaurants and on the dance floor at nightclubs. J Lo, Oprah, Tobey Maguire, Cher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Enrique Iglesias, Mick Jagger, Rosie O'Donnell, Tyra Banks, Andy Garcia, Diane Von Furstenberg and Denzel Washington have all lingered awhile in Miami. The list of top models, film and television stars, and musical entertainers goes on -- anyone who's anyone eventually succumbs to the city's significant charms. Many luminaries buy homes; others open trendy restaurants or participate in high-profile community events. The celebrity presence fuels Miami's mystique; bestowing a status that is shared in the U.S. only with entertainment industry powerhouses New York and Los Angeles.

Film and Television Production Mecca

According to Jeff Peel, director of the Miami Dade Mayor's Office of Film & Entertainment, 2003 once again brought an increase in the number of film, television, commercial and still photo productions shot in Miami, as the city made famous worldwide by Miami Vice�s Crockett and Tubbs continues to serve as the backdrop for everything from Latin American soap operas to feature films. Some of television�s hottest shows such as CSI Miami, Good Morning Miami, the critically-acclaimed Karen Sisco and Nip/Tuck shot on location in Miami, as did box office hits including 2 Fast 2 Furious, Bad Boys II, Out of Time and Stuck on You, bringing in more than $185 million in revenue, a number that looks to be eclipsed yet again in 2004

In addition to location filming, Miami-Dade has been the venue of choice for some of the industry�s most renowned events including the Latin GRAMMYS, the American Black Film Festival, the 2003 INTE Awards, the Clio Awards, MTV�s LatinMusic Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards and CBS All American Thanksgiving Day Parade, all of which are set to return in 2004 and beyond. Spanish-language television production has also increased substantially � especially in the telenovela sector with over eight popular Latin soap operas produced locally including Rebeca, Gata Salvaje, Al Filo De La Ley and Amor Descarado. Commercial shoots alone generated an economic impact of over $36 million in 2003 and included spots for Wendy�s, Daimler-Chrysler, Nestea, McDonalds, Mercedes Benz and Verizon just to list a few. Still photo production continues to rise, as European crews are returning in force, propelled by a strong Euro and stellar production resources. Motor homes are a familiar sight on the streets of Miami year round, as are the ubiquitous long-legged girls and stylish young men running from casting to photo shoot.

At the height of the season each year, (February 21 and 22nd, 2004) crowds gather on Ocean Drive for the Dodge Volleypalooza Model Volleyball Tournament. Sexy young things from agencies including Ford, Elite, Wilhelmina, Next and many others will strut their stuff, competing for prizes in this popular annual event, presented annually by Ocean Drive Magazine.

Newly launched, The Beach Channel, a new tourism driven cable channel produced by Miami Beach based custom media company OnBoard Media, provides a valuable service to visitors and residents alike. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Charter Cable Channel 19 into 80,000 subscriber homes and hotel rooms, The Beach Channel presents high quality programming that captures the flavor and history of Miami Beach with segments that explore greater Miami and the beach�s world-renowned shopping, dining, attractions and real estate options.

On the facilities front, Nikki Studios, a fully supported professional production environment recently opened within the Penrods complex at 1 Ocean Drive in South Beach. Latin television personality and producer Cristina Saralegui has launched Blue Dolphin Studios, a $10 million full service, three studio production facility located in the Doral area that also serves as the permanent home of the Cristina show. From North Miami's legendary Greenwich Studios to downtown's versatile Ice Palace; with multitudes of experienced production companies offering crews, vehicles, location services, logistics, catering, props and every other service for hire under the sun, Miami has the resources to handle every conceivable production need and budget.

Film Festivals Flourish

Miami's diverse and sophisticated population is well served by the myriad of film festivals that are presented each year, drawing thousands for screenings of new releases, reworked classics and international films of distinction often not earmarked for commercial release. Miami International Film Festival, one of the most respected forums on the international circuit, continues to make strides with the appointment of former Sundance Institute vice president and co-director of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, Nicole Guillemet as its new director. Miami's festival has established itself over the past two decades as a star-studded showcase for Latin American, North American, and world cinema. Now under the aegis of Miami Dade College, the 2004 Festival, which drew to a close February 8, 2004 drew record-breaking box office. Other niche festivals attract cineastes interested in all aspects of filmmaking: the Brazilian, Latin American Gay and Lesbian, Jewish and Made in Miami Film Festivals all fill venues throughout Miami with viewers interested in opportunities to witness new, innovative, often groundbreaking films.

Make Some Music

Miami is uniquely positioned at the geographic and cultural crossroads of the Latin American music industry; a fact signified by the year round presence of the business's heaviest hitters. International superstar Gloria Estefan and multiple Grammy award- winning producer husband Emilio are pillars of the community; while Sony, EMI, WEA and Polygram all have their Latin American offices in Greater Miami. Latin superstars Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Jon Secada are among the many entertainers with homes in Miami, while Shakira, Thalia, and Marc Anthony have all spent time here making music and enjoying la vida loca.

Long a recording haven for musicians in all genres, artists including Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, Dr. Dre, Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Prince, U2, David Byrne, the Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Luther Campbell, Aretha Franklin and countless others have all cut records or laid down tracks in Miami.

Celebrities Make the Scene

Jack Nicholson, Will Smith, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Lenny Kravitz, Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, and Kristin Scott Thomas -- the term stargazing takes on a new meaning in Greater Miami as the steady influx of celebrities ups the excitement ante all over town. Whether it�s Janet Jackson discreetly partaking in the pleasures of the Mandarin Oriental Spa, Oprah Winfrey enjoying a meal at one of Coral Gables' acclaimed restaurants, Cindy Crawford attending the Roberto Cavalli fashion show at Bal Harbour Shops or Tyra Banks shopping for cosmetics at Brownes & Co on Lincoln Road; celebrity spottings are a de rigeur fact of glamorous life in Miami.

But it's after dark and beyond the velvet ropes that the best opportunities for rubbing elbows with the rich and famous take place. At live music venues featuring great Latin Jazz, on the dance floors of hipper than thou clubs, tablehopping in the lounges of chic restaurants that magically transform themselves into nightclubs as the evening progresses, the scene sizzles with possibility. Staying current is a challenge as, even more fabulous concepts open every week; STATE, the new groovy lounge on Lincoln Road is destined to be the next see and be seen destination.

In a recent AOL/Travel & Leisure poll, Miami was ranked the #1 city in America for singles scene and Latin beat. Nowhere is this more apparent than in clubs of the moment like Prive, Level and Mynt, where internationally renowned DJs spin the latest house music for young, attractive hordes. Tourists, locals and celebrities come together at Fuacata, one of Miami's most happening scenes at Little Havana club, Hoy Como Ayer. This weekly musical and cultural celebration draws a diverse crowd; as Latina princesses and hip hop royalty salsa side by side. From live music venues like Churchill's and Jazzid, to elegant eateries cum nightspots like Rumi, Tap Tap, Touch and Tantra, nightlife in Miami is packed with stars and charged with excitement.

After the final cut and the last call, the biggest star is Miami itself. Bold, beautiful, literally bursting with multicultural flavor -- on the big screen and on the world stage, Greater Miami shines on.

For information on the above, visit www.MiamiAndBeaches.com. The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and the Beaches for leisure, business and conventions. For a vacation guide, visit our website or call toll-free at 888-76-MIAMI (US/Canada only) or call 305-447-7777. To contact the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau offices call 305-539-3000.

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Media Contact: Michelle Revuelta +1 305 539 3111 michelle@gmcvb.com