We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Felipe Torres Urso. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Felipe below.

Felipe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

When talking about the Coconut Grove Film Festival, which I launched alongside Xavier Manrique, the journey from idea to execution was an exhilarating and challenging one. Xavier and I had been working in the film industry for years, both as filmmakers, and one day, we started talking about the incredible potential of creating something in our hometown of Coconut Grove, Miami—a place known for its charm, elegance, and rapidly growing cultural scene. It felt like the perfect place for a film festival that celebrated diverse voices, particularly Latin American and Floridian filmmakers, and one that could also stand out as a glamorous, world-class event.

The idea sparked quickly, but the next steps were all about turning that dream into reality. The first thing we had to do was establish the Voices Beyond Borders Art Foundation, our nonprofit, which would serve as the foundation for everything we did with the festival. We wanted the festival to have a real impact—not just for one weekend—but as a platform that could nurture up-and-coming filmmakers year-round. Establishing the nonprofit took time, as we had to dive into the legalities, apply for 501(c)(3) status, and set up the structural backbone that would make the festival sustainable.

Once that was in motion, we had to figure out the logistics—venues, sponsorships, and partnerships. We chose Cinepolis in CocoWalk as our main theater, and this set the tone for the kind of elegant, intimate experience we wanted the festival to offer. The opening party was another significant aspect, and we decided to hold it at Mr. C, which added to the festival’s glamorous vibe. Along the way, we had to approach sponsors, pitch the festival to potential backers, and, of course, curate the films themselves.

There was a point where it all clicked into place: David Frankel, Emmy and Oscar-winning director and a Coconut Grove local, agreed to be our keynote speaker. This moment solidified that our vision wasn’t just a pipe dream—it was a real event, attracting major industry talent and local support. We also secured Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who gave opening remarks and reinforced the festival’s significance to Miami’s cultural landscape.

Through countless hours of planning, sleepless nights, and navigating the inevitable obstacles, we managed to pull off the inaugural festival in 2024. It was a whirlwind of activity, but seeing the response from the audience, the filmmakers, and the press made every challenge worth it. Now, as we gear up for the 2025 edition, we’re focused on building it into something even bigger—more films, more premieres, and more impact. The festival has come a long way, and we’ve only just begun!

Felipe, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It’s been a long journey to get to the Coconut Grove Film festival. I started as an assistant in TV and film, spending about 15 years in Los Angeles, working on productions of all sizes, both locally and internationally. From small indie films to large-scale studio productions, I was lucky enough to learn by being involved at every level.

Slowly, I started transitioning to working on my own projects, collaborating closely with my brother and Xavier along the way. I think, or I hope, that what sets our work apart—especially with the festival—is the deep understanding and appreciation we have for the creative process. We aim to create a platform for underrepresented voices, particularly from the Latin American and Floridian communities. I’m most proud of how our festival creates an elegant and welcoming space for filmmakers and audiences to connect, share, and celebrate storytelling. Our focus is not just on putting together events but on fostering meaningful experiences that linger long after the final credits roll.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Xavier and I are both Grove locals and, as it turns out, both half Nicaraguan. Our paths in the film world had already been circling each other for a while. We had each just finished making our first feature films and had previously spent years as assistants to some pretty well-known directors. We had this shared understanding of what it means to grind in the film industry from the ground up.

What really brought us together was the love for our neighborhood and the same dive bars in the Grove where we’d often end up chatting about movies. We realized we had the same vision — to create a space for storytelling, and particularly for the kinds of stories we wanted to see more of. The Coconut Grove Film Festival was born from that shared passion, our connection to the community, and the belief that Miami, and especially the Grove, deserved a festival that could spotlight both local and international talent.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely, there’s a clear mission driving us. Miami is experiencing a cultural and economic explosion right now. Real estate, finance, fashion, and the art world are all on the rise in a way that’s impossible to ignore. As other cities face challenges, Miami has emerged as a city on the up — it’s becoming a global hub for innovation and creativity.

Our goal with the Coconut Grove Film Festival is to create a film community that matches this growth, bringing together filmmakers and creatives from around the world, but especially from Latin America and Florida. We want to give a platform to diverse voices, telling stories that don’t fit the usual mold, while offering a slice of Miami’s vibrancy to the film industry. We see this as a chance to build a community that reflects the city’s forward momentum and celebrates its unique energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.voicesbeyondborders.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coconutgroveff

Image Credits

CGFF