By Louis Rosasco and Samira Karieva
With the Olympia Theater, a 100-year-old cultural landmark as the backdrop, the Miami Film Festival was camera ready during opening night on April 9.
The air was buzzing with creativity as actors and directors from across the globe walked the red carpet before the festival’s opening night film—Tuner—directed by Academy Award winner Daniel Roher was screened.
“We’ve got art from so many different cultures and countries,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava before watching the movie “We bring it all together. I think what’s really special about us is not only do we have all of that, but that we all enjoy it.”
More than 160 films from 45 different countries were showcased from April 9 to 19, during the 10-day festival, which is in its 43rd year.
Events took place across Miami-Dade County in venues such as the Freedom Tower, the Bill Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami, Silverspot Cinema and the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
Among this year’s programming was a feature titled Spotlight on Cuba that showcased movies from and about the Caribbean nation.
Films included Comandante Fritz on April 17 at the Olympia Theater and a restoration of María Antonia at the Koubek Center on April 19.
“I’m thrilled with the Spotlight on Cuba,” said MFF Executive Director James Woolley. “It almost fully sold out across the whole program and that is something so special,”
Another festival highlight happened on April 13 when the Disney film The Princess Diaries screened at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Coconut Grove to honor the movie’s 25th anniversary. The space was packed with audience members wearing their best Mia Thermopolis costumes.
“It’s the perfect venue because it’s regal…to have this in Miami is a gem, and to be able to watch this film in this setting is truly a special treat,” said actress and digital creator Natalia Patino.
This event was part of a growing collaboration between the festival and Miami Book Fair, marking the second year a screening was held at the luxurious villa.
On April 14, the independent film If I Go Will They Miss Me screened at Silverspot Cinema. The movie is a family drama centered around a 12-year-old trying to connect with his distant father while having visions of boys drifting in his Los Angeles neighborhood.
Danielle Brooks, who produced the film and played a central character, was presented with the festival’s Art of Light Award. The accolade is given to filmmakers whose work pushes the art of cinema forward.
“I feel like it’s such a good feeling to see my name with the word ‘light’ because that’s all that I’ve ever wanted to do in this world is be a light,” Brooks said. “And I know that comes from the One Above so I’m glad that I can be a reflection of something good in the world.”
The festival concluded its presentation of awards during a Q&A with Severance actor Adam Scott at the Wolfson Campus Chapman Center on April 17. The session was hosted by Variety’s co-editor-in-chief, Ramin Setoodeh.
Scott, who was promoting his latest horror film Hokum, was honored with the Vanguard award, which recognizes strong storytelling in film.
“Everybody now has a really terrific camera in their pocket at all times… you can make your own stuff, you can get out there and start making movies,” Scott said to aspiring filmmakers in the audience. “You have to keep at it, keep making stuff and don’t stop.”
Closing night saw moviegoers return to Olympia Theater for a screening of the film Power Ballad.
Starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, the film follows two musicians from different eras as they try to write the song that will save each of their music careers and shoot them into relevancy.
“We’re just happy that Miami is coming out to the cinema, and we’re happy that so many filmmakers enjoyed the city and had such a great time,” Woolley said.
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