Film Fanatics Flock To 41st Annual Miami Film Festival

For Gary Herman and Adrienne Tordom, attending film festivals is a staple of life.

The New Yorkers are regulars at festivals in Canada, Spain, California and Texas. This year marked the duo’s 20th visit to the Miami Film Festival.

“You learn about yourself,” Tordom said. “You learn about different countries, how other people’s minds work…and how similar people are no matter where they’re from; the intrinsic nature of human beings is universal.”

The Miami Film Festival returned for its 41st rendition on April 5-14, screening more than 180 films from more than 30 countries.

The 10-day event showcased films across 10 venues, including the Koubek Center Theater, Adrienne Arsht Center, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Silverspot Cinema, Coral Gables Art Cinema, Bill Cosford Cinema, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden, Regal South Beach, O Cinema South Beach and Miami Beach Bandshell. 

“It has been so inspiring to see many films by local filmmakers, and as members of the community, I can’t wait to meet them,” said María Carla Chicuén, director of cultural affairs at Miami Dade College.

Festivities kicked off at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center with the screening of Thelma. 

Directed by actor and writer Josh Margolin, the film follows 94-year-old widow Thelma after a phone scammer steals $10,000 from her. Determined to retrieve her money and prove to her family that despite her age, she’s still got it, the film takes off.  

“It was my first movie as a producer and we were making a quasi-action movie during the pandemic with a 93-year-old lead,” said Zoë  Worth. “So, there was a lot going on, but it was a blast.”

Crowds flooded cinemas to see appearances from actors and filmmakers such as Danny Pino, Jeremy Piven, Lady Camden, Héctor Medina, Heather Graham and Alison Brie.

On April 6, actress Molly Ringwald, who rose to prominence for her roles in 1980s classics like The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty In Pink, was recognized with a Variety Creative Vanguard Award for her cinematic achievements at the MDC Chapman Center.

Three days later, Tom Hiddleston, an English actor known for his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was honored with the Variety Virtuoso Award at the Knight Concert Hall.

“There’s no substitute for your authentic relationship with the work…that’s when the magic happens, in taking the risk to reveal something very honest and authentic about your own experience of being alive, your own relationship with the story, your own relationship with the character,” Hiddelston said during an interview with North Campus film professor Adrian Garcia at the Lehman Theater.

Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, known for playing Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, was honored with a Precious Gem Award for her contributions to cinema on April 13.

This year, the festival awarded $100,000 in cash awards.

Mountains, a film about a Haitian demolition worker tasked with dismantling his gentrifying neighborhood, took home the $25,000 Made in MIA Feature Film Award. 

Los Frikis, directed by Tyler Nilson and Micahel Scwartz, won the $20,000 Marimbas Award. The film, inspired by true events, follows a group of Cuban punk rockers who inject themselves with HIV to live at a government-run treatment center and find relief from the island’s economic crisis.

The festival also spotlighted short films.

Konpa, a coming-of-age story of a Haitian-American immigrant seeking to reconnect with his heritage, snagged the $10,000 Made in MIA Short Film Award. 

Festivities came full circle with the closing night film Ezra, a comedy-drama directed by actor Tony Goldwyn, at the Knight Concert Hall where the festival started. The movie takes viewers on a road trip with stand-up comedian Max Brandel, played by Bobby Cannavale, and his 11-year-old autistic son, Ezra.

“It’s so important for people to experience cinema; it’s a form of escapism,” said Rachel Bloomer, a senior programmer for MFF. “Turning off, disconnecting and enjoying someone else’s story is important.” 

For a full list of the MFF winners, visit https://bit.ly/3QacoNX. 

Staff writer Nidley Charles contributed to this story. 

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