Spotlight | Joe Garofalo: Bringing Filmmaking to St. Lucie

All of us enjoy watching movies, whether getting absorbed in a good story or enlightened by a documentary. While we rarely consider what it takes to create a film or the impact it has on the community where the filming took place, Joe Garofalo, a screenwriter, director, filmmaker and Executive Director of the Treasure Coast International Film Festival (TCIFF) surely has.

Joe has been involved with the film industry since 1978 when he was an intern for a cameraman working on major films in production in New York City. “I not only learned the craft but also how to make connections.” He moved to Port St. Lucie in the early 1990s to help establish a family business operating a chain of video stores. Joe became involved with the city of Port St. Lucie, which used to have a film commissioner. “The interest was there, but the timing was premature.” He also was at work on various film projects, including The Wishing Stone, which was released in 2002 and Redemption, which was released in 2004. Both were filmed in Port St. Lucie.

Joe joined the Board of Palm Beach State College, where he helped revamp the college’s film program and was offered a teaching position. “It was through this work that I developed a relationship with the founder of the Palm Beach Film Festival.”

Joe wanted to offer something similar to the Treasure Coast to encourage local filmmakers, provide a venue to show their films, network, and learn from one another. He also wanted to attract national and international filmmakers, to not only show their films but to view this area as a potential site for film production.

The timing was finally right in 2006 when Joe founded the Treasure Coast International Film Festival. Concurrently, a documentary on the Cuban migration he had been commissioned to write and produce was released. Titled Sacred Waters, featuring Gloria Estefan, Andy Garcia, and other well-known actors, the movie was nominated for best documentary and enhanced his visibility. “After that, people started reaching out to me.”

In addition to his work with TCIFF, Joe produced That’s Livin’ – The Zora Neale Hurston Story (2009) and City of Dreams (2011), a documentary about the history of Port St. Lucie. He is currently at work on two projects, one with former NFL player and State Representative Larry Lee, Jr. to tell his story.

TCIFF had been very successful, but Joe wanted to expand its reach. ”There was no clearinghouse for diverse groups, be they composed of musicians, artists, writers, or actors. We needed an organization that embraced all creative channels.” That is until the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance was launched. TCIFF soon joined as a member to support the mission of the Cultural Alliance and to access a wider audience. “The Cultural Alliance is a much-needed resource. Joining forces is about synchronizing and supporting each other.”

“The film industry is a financial force to be reckoned with. The monetary impact on a community is huge. The crew that comes to town stays at local hotels, eats at local restaurants and supports a multitude of local businesses. I want the entire community – especially the business community – to realize how important the artists are, not just financially, but also for the mind. Because everyone benefits financially, businesses need to support the artists. Every business should include the arts as part of its plans. Plus, it’s tax-deductible, and their financial support goes right back into the community. If support isn’t provided, people will leave and take their art with them.”

TCIFF is running from October 12 through October 16 with a screening of more than 50 films. For more information, visit www.tcifilmfest.org.

To learn more about the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and membership benefits, please visit www.artstlucie.org, email: info@artstlucie.org or call 772-462-2783.

Posted on October 10, 2022. Categorized under: News.