Under the Canopy: The Curator's Reel

Short-film screenings explore how architecture, painting, music and literature shape cinema, with curator-led discussions following each program. Under the Canopy: The Curator’s Reel takes place on select Sundays from November 22 through February 28, 2027, in Deering Estate’s Visitor Center Theater. William Vela, founder and executive director of the Miami Short Film Festival, curates the series and leads conversations and audience Q&A sessions.

Each installment considers a different relationship between filmmaking and the arts:

• Sunday, November 22: Short Films & Architecture — How buildings, rooms and landscapes influence character, memory and storytelling.
• Sunday, December 20: Short Films & Painting — The role of color, light and composition in creating meaning on screen.
• Sunday, January 24: Short Films & Music — How sound and scores establish rhythm, convey emotion and advance a story.
• Sunday, February 28: Short Films & Literature — The translation of narrative, dialogue and literary imagery into film.

Tickets are $10 per session and must be purchased online through Eventbrite. Deering Estate Foundation members receive a 10% discount with a promotional code available from the foundation office. Check-in begins 15 minutes before each program.