Monica Bellucci, Iciar Bolla n, Gavin Hood,Deepa Mehta and Raphael to Headline
33rdEdition of Miami Dade College's Acclaimed
Miami International Film Festival
MonicaBellucci, Iciar Bolla n, Gavin HoodandDeepa Mehtawill all receive tributes in a new Marquee Series to be presented at the 33rd edition of Miami Dade College's Miami International Film Festivalscheduled for March 4 - 13, 2016, it was announced today. Additionally, Andrew Curries comedyThe Steps, starringJames Brolin, will receive its US premiere at the Festival as the Closing Night selection. The Festival is the only major film festival worldwide produced by a college or university.
The new announcements joinAlex de la IglesiasMy Big Night, previously announced as the Opening Night Selection, as the Festivals major touchstones. The pop comedyMy Big Nightstars Spanish recording legendRaphael, who will open the Festival with a personal appearance at the March 4th screening. The 10-day annual event takes place at the Festivals traditional home, the historic Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami, plus six additional cinemas scattered across the Magic City; and includes a plethora of screenings, stylish parties, thoughtful panel discussions, spirited film competitions, awards ceremonies and immersive cultural exchange opportunities for filmmakers attending from across the globe.
This years lineup is like a prism that invites Miami to see the world with an illumination that only the cinema, and the artists that create the work, can provide, says theFestival's Executive Director and Director of Programming, Jaie Laplante. The programmers have populated the program with films and events that are essential to the complex, dynamic, ever-changing Miami of the now.
This year's Festival showcases 129 films, including 100 feature films and documentaries and 29 short films produced and directed by both renowned and emerging talent from 40 countries.Forty-six are directed or co-directed by women.The Festival is pleased to announce numerous important premieres: 12 World, 1 International, 16 North American and 13 US premieres, debuting in Miami.
The Festivals newMarquee Seriescategory, dedicated to on-stage conversations with major film personalities of the moment, sharing a major new work, includes:
MonicaBellucciin Conversation withGuy Edoin(Tuesday, March 8th). The Italian fashion beauty and screen star will discuss her career up to and including her brilliant new starring role in EdoinsVille-Marie, which will screen after the Conversation.
Iciar Bolla nin Conversation (Sunday, March 6th). The double Goya Award-winning Spanish actress-director will speak about her career and her latest film,The Olive Tree, which will receive itsWorld Premierein Miami after the Conversation.
Gavin Hoodin Conversation (Saturday, March 5th). The Academy Award-winning South African filmmaker ofTsotsiwill speak about his career and screen his new film,Eye In The Sky, starringDame Helen Mirrenand the lateAlan Rickman.
Deepa Mehtain Conversation (Wednesday, March 9th). The Academy Award-nominated Indo-Canadian filmmaker ofWaterwill speak about her career in the context of the screening of her new film,Beeba Boys, described as a desiScarface .
MonicaBellucci inVille-Marie
Additional films include:
CINEDWNTWN Opening Night Film presented by Miami Downtown Development Authority and Opening Night Party presented by The Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building and Tilia Events on Friday, March 4, 2016
As previously announced, lex de la IglesiasMy Big Night(Spain), starringSpanish pop icon Raphaeland an ensemble cast of many of the biggest stars in the Spanish film industry, opens the Festival. In a special treat for Miami audiences, Raphael will appear in person at the screening to officially inaugurate this year's Festival.
My Big Nightturns into My Big Party after the film with an outstanding Opening Night party at the Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building. The party promises to ring in the new Festival with glitz and cheer, boasting rocking music, cuisine, cocktails, and dancing, all in the spirit of a glittering New Year's Eve bash. The events kick off the Festival's CINEDWNTWN series, sponsored by Miami's Downtown Development Authority.
CINEDWNTWN Awards Night Film presented by Miami Downtown Development Authority and Pyrat Rum Awards Night Party sponsored by The Related Group on Saturday, March 12, 2016
Following the presentation of the juried Awards, the US premiere ofAndrew CurriesThe Steps(Canada) will close the Festivals official premieres. Featuring a brilliant ensemble cast led byJames Brolinand Oscar-winnerChristine Lahti, this riotous comedy is about what happens when two already fraught families are forced to merge into one big dysfunctional clan. Also starringJason RitterandEmmanuelle Chriqui.
After the screening, continue a glorious evening by walking up the steps to the beautiful outdoor plaza atThe Related Groups latest addition to the swanky Miami skyline, the newly-announcedOne Brickellproperty just steps away from Olympia Theater on the banks of the Miami River at 444 Brickell Ave. Feel what it means to project light in the Magic City through an imaginative collection of installations and entertainers, all courtesy ofPyrat RumandStella Artois.
CINEDWNTWN SCREENINGS presented by Miami Downtown Development Authority:Red carpet events featuring the year's most compelling works be top-tier directors showcased at the historic Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami. New titles announced for major screenings in the Festivals historic home for all 33 of its years:
Queen of Thursdays(USA, directed by Orlando Rojas)*World PremiereA documentary about Rosario Suarez, Cubas famed, exiled prima ballerina now living in Miami.
Ive Never Not Been from Miami(USA, directed by Andrew Hevia, Joey Daoud, Jonathan David
