For Immediate Release:
February 21, 2013
30th Miami International Film Festival, Produced and Presented by Miami Dade College, Unveils Strong Lineup of Florida/Miami-based Films
Miami, FL — Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), produced and presented by Miami Dade College, announced a strong line-up of films shot and set in Miami, as part of the event’s beloved Florida Focus presented by FPL, and other categories within the 30th annual event, scheduled for March 1 – 10, 2013.
“MIFF’s strong commitment to highlighting the best of Florida production is a tribute to the great talent that exists from and within our state,” says MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante. “Nearly all of the Florida films we are highlighting this year take place in Miami. The city plays such a pivotal role in these stories; I don’t think any other city would have as great of an impact on these specific stories as Miami does.”
Films featured in the category which celebrate established as well as up-and-coming Floridian talent include:
Calloused Hands, directed by Jesse Quiñones
WORLD PREMIERE. A mixed race Miami teenager journeys into manhood over the most important summer of his life as he must learn to escape the influence of his mother’s alcoholic boyfriend (Andre Royo of “The Wire”). Featured in the CINEMA 360º presented by Viendomovies category.
Eenie Meenie Miney Moe, directed by JOKES
WORLD PREMIERE. Through the sleek sheen of Miami’s mean streets in the magic hour, a majestic vision of our hometown’s inner soul is brought to light. Directed by Emmy-winning editor Jokes Yanes, and produced by Aaron J. Salgado, director of MIFF2011 hit Magic City Memoirs. Featured in the CINEDWNTWN GALAS sponsored by Miami Downtown Development Authority category.
Pincus, directed by David Fenster
After he moves back home to Miami to take care of his ailing father, a drifting young man searches for new answers to the mysteries of love and life.
Tony Tango, directed by Manolo Celí
The most “sexcellent” Latin dance instructor Miami has ever seen enters a tango dancing competition with stakes as high as his cholesterol, in this boisterous, brilliantly-acted comedy.
Two short films by Miami filmmakers will also have World Premieres at MIFF2013. They are: “Eleven: Twelve” by acclaimed music video director JC Barros, screening with Eenie Meenie Miney Moe; and “Red Wine (Vino Tinto)”, by Carlos Gutierrez, screening with Calloused Hands.
Florida shines in many other ways at MIFF 2013. Venus and Serena (Awards Night Film in the CINEDWNTWN Galas category) documents South Florida’s beloved world class tennis players, the Williams sisters, who reside in Palm Beach, Florida. The Discoverers (America The Beautiful category) features Tampa-born actress Dreama Walker.
A film in this year’s Special Presentation category also highlights Miami. A digitized restoration of the seminal 1979 Cuban-American film El Super tells the story of Roberto, a Cuban exile who arrives in Miami after leaving New York City, where he worked as a building superintendent. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Miami-based film Zoo, which documents the multiple aspects of operating Zoo Miami (formerly known as Miami Metrozoo). The film will be introduced by Miami wildlife expert, photographer and current Zoo Miami director of communications Ron Magill. Magill will also discuss various aspects of the Zoo when the film was shot, and what has changed or evolved at the Zoo 20 years later.
Blackfish (Knight Documentary Competition category) features Floridian trainers at Sea World Orlando in an eye-opening investigation of several shocking occurrences where killer whales turned on their trainers at marine parks, and the responses that followed. Two films from the thrilling Mayhem category, The Midnight Game and Would You Rather feature Florida born actresses Shelby Young and Brittany Snow.
Films featured in Florida Focus presented by FPL, as well other Florida related films, can be viewed during the 30th edition of Miami International Film Festival running March 1-10, 2013. For tickets and more information, please visit www.miff2020.wpengine.com or call 305-405-MIFF (6433).
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Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), celebrating its 30th anniversary March 1 – 10, 2013, is considered the preeminent film festival for showcasing Ibero-American cinema in the U.S., and a major launch pad for all international and documentary cinema. The annual Festival, produced and presented by Miami Dade College, attracts more than 70,000 audience members and more than 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. It is the only major festival housed within a college or university. In the last five years, the Festival has screened films from more than 60 countries, including 300 World, International, North American, U.S. and East Coast Premieres. MIFF’s special focus on Ibero-American cinema has made the Festival a natural gateway for the discovery of new talent from this diverse territory. The Festival also offers unparalleled educational opportunities to film students and the community at large. Major sponsors of the 2013 Festival include Knight Foundation, Lexus and Miami-Dade County. For more, visit miff2020.wpengine.com or call 305-237-MIFF (3456).
Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including the Miami Book Fair International, the Center @ MDC, the Miami International Film Festival, the MDC Live Arts Performing Arts Series, the Cuban Cinema Series, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, numerous renowned campus art galleries and theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. With an enrollment of more than 174,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, associate in arts and science degrees and numerous career training certificates leading to in-demand jobs. MDC has served nearly 2,000,000 students since it opened its doors in 1960.
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest rate-regulated electric utility in Florida and serves the third largest number of customers of any electric utility in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.6 million customer accounts and is a leading Florida employer with approximately 10,000 employees as of year-end 2011. During the five year period ended December 31, 2011, the company delivered the best service reliability among Florida investor-owned utilities, while its typical residential customer bills, based on data available in December 2011, are about 25 percent below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.
MIFF Contacts:
Jessica Wade Pfeffer, Jessica Wade Inc., +1 305-804-8424, jessica@jessicawadeinc.com
Janice Roland, Falco Ink, +1 212-445-7100, janiceroland@falcoink.com
Shannon Treusch, Falco Ink, +1 212-445-7100, shannontreusch@falcoink.com
MDC Contacts:
Juan Mendieta, +1 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu
Sue Arrowsmith +1 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu
Alejandro Rios +1 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu |
