Miami International Film Festival Presents A Dizzying Array Of Screen Splendor
By the numbers, the Miami International Film Festival is a whirlwind of cinematic abundance with 125 films from 40 countries over ten days, including 94 features and documentaries, 18 short films,11 student films and two works in progress. Sixty-seven directors will attend as will 40 producers, 27 jurors and 18 actors.
The events takes place at six locations throughout Miami with five competition categories and runs from March 6-15.
“MDC’s Miami International Film Festival offers our students—and our community—a fantastic opportunity to see the world through the eyes of independent filmmakers learning about issues that affect the globe,” said María Muñoz-Blanco, executive director for MDC’s cultural affairs department, MDCulture. “This window to the world, and the multiple voices and points of view are part of independent cinema, are integral to the learning experience that MDC brings to our students.”
As a major film festival produced by a college, Muñoz-Blanco said the 32-year-old event is designed to emphasize Ibero-American cinema and function as a major launch pad for international and documentary cinema. Events include screenings, panel discussions, film competitions, award ceremonies and cultural exchange opportunities for filmmakers attending globally.
This year’s festival will host five opening nights. At the O Cinema Miami Beach, director Daniel Junge will be opening with his film Being Evel. At the Coral Gables Art Cinema, director Jordan Alexander Ressler is opening with his film A Girl At My Door. Partners in Crime will be opening at the Regal Beach South Cinemas. At MDC’s Tower Theater, there will be the fifth annual CinemaSlam competition and Wild Tales, directed by Damián Szifron.
The five competition categories are the Knight Documentary Achievement Award, the Lexus Opera Prima Ibero-American Competition, the Jordan Alexander Ressler Charitable Fund, the Park Grove Shorts Competition and the Lexus Audience Awards.
Festival executive director, Jaie Laplante is inspired by young film makers.
“I would recommend Los Hongos,” Laplante said. “It is inspiring to see young people becoming globally aware of human rights issues, and taking action through art.”
Los Hongos is director Oscar Ruiz Navia’s second feature film. Ruiz Navia highlights two punk rockers in Cali, Colombia with hopes of motivating their fellow Cali artists to make a broad statement of support for Egyptian women who stand up to brutal army suppressors during the Arab Spring.
The festival categories include special events, Cinedwntwn galas, Knight Competition, Knight Documentary Achievement Award, the Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima, Emerging Cuban Program, Spotlight on French Cinema, Spotlight on Asian Cinema, Florida Focus, Lee Brian Schrager Culinary Cinema, Cinema 360, Visions, America The Beautiful, Park Grove/Lexus Shorts Competition, Reel Music, From the Vault and special presentations.
“I love sitting in the back of the theater and listening to the sounds of the audience identifying with the movie,” Laplante said.
Film tickets are based on the particular screening with distinct rates for students, Miami Film Society members and seniors.
For more information about MIFF a ticket prices visit their website.
