| For IMMEDIATE Release
Sunday, March 16, 2014
A Wolf at the Door Wins Grand Prize at 31st Miami International Film Festival, a Program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture
Miami, FL — Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, is winding down to the closing of the festival, with one day of film screenings left to go, by reflecting on 141 films from 39 countries that culminated in its annual Awards Night Ceremony at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.
Juried awards were presented in the following competition categories: Knight Competition, Knight Documentary Competition, Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima Competition, Papi Shorts Competition presented by Macy’s, Jordan A. Ressler Screenwriting Award, Miami Future Cinema Critics Award, and the SIGNIS Award.
“We are humbled by the community’s overwhelming response to this year’s film festival,” said MDC President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón. “It serves to strengthen the college’s commitment to providing quality cultural arts programming for all to enjoy.”
“We hoped that this year’s Festival would provide memories to treasure and it has absolutely delivered,” declared MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante. “From the magic of Hollywood glamor on opening night to the many superb films and engaging filmmakers that we enjoyed in the nine days that followed, MIFF 2014 has inspired and enraptured.”
2014 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
KNIGHT COMPETITION:
- Knight Grand Jury Prize: A Wolf at the Door (O lobo atrás da porta), directed by Fernando Coimbra (Brazil)
- Grand Jury Best Performance: Nora Navas of We All Want What’s Best For Her (Tots volem el millor per a ella), directed by Mar Coll (Spain)
- Grand Jury Best Director: Fernando Coimbra of A Wolf at the Door (O lobo atrás da porta) (Brazil)
JORDAN ALEXANDER RESSLER SCREENWRITING AWARD:
- Mateo, written by Maria Gamboa and Adriana Arjona (Colombia/France)
KNIGHT DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION:
The jury selected two films to tie as winners in this category for the Knight Grand Jury Prize.
- Finding Vivian Maier, directed by Charlie Siskel and John Maloof (USA)
- The Overnighters, directed by Jesse Moss (USA)
LEXUS IBERO-AMERICAN OPERA PRIMA COMPETITION:
- Mateo, directed by Maria Gamboa (Colombia/France)
- Honorable Mention: We are Mari Pepa (Somos Mari Pepa), directed by Samuel Kishi Leopo (Mexico)
PAPI SHORTS COMPETITION PRESENTED BY MACY’S Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film:
- “A Big Deal” (特殊交易), directed by Yoyo Yao (China)
- Honorable Mention: “Skin”, directed by Cédric Prévost (France)
MIAMI ENCUENTROS presented by Moviecity:
- Aurora, produced by Florencia Larrea, directed by Rodrigo Sepulveda (Chile)
SIGNIS AWARD:
The International Jury of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, formed by: Gustavo Andújar, president, and Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki and Juan José Rodríguez, members, give their SIGNIS Award to Belle directed by Amma Asante for its multi-layered depiction of the challenges to the value of human life and dignity wherever a profit-driven system makes commodification of persons acceptable. Masterly crafted, the film lifts up a variety of issues of conscience which still confront us today.
MIAMI FUTURE CINEMA CRITICS AWARD:
- To Kill A Man (Matar a un hombre), directed by Alejandro Fernández Almendras (Chile/France)
LEXUS AUDIENCE AWARDS were announced at the Pyrat Gold: The Awards Night Rum Party hosted at the Historic Freedom Tower following the Awards Night screening of Rob the Mob.
Lexus Audience Award for Best Documentary:
- The Mountain (La montaña), directed by Tabaré Blanchard (Dominican Republic)
Lexus Audience Award for Best Feature:
- Fading Gigolo, directed by John Turturro (USA)
The above award-winning films joined the REEL Music Video Art Competition winner presented by MTV Latin American and Tr3s announced earlier in the week at the Festival:
REEL MUSIC VIDEO ART COMPETITION PRESENTED BY MTV Latin America and Tr3s:
- “Around the Lake” (“Autour Du Lac”), directed by Noémie Marsily & Carl Roosens (Belgium). The music video was performed by Carl et les hommes-boîtes. The winner will receive an opportunity to be placed on MTV Latin America and Tr3s websites.
ABOUT THE COMPETITIONS, JURORS AND AWARDS
KNIGHT COMPETITION featured 10 dramatic works from Latin America and Spain and Portugal. The films competed for $40,000 in prizes courtesy of James L. & John S. Knight Foundation.
Knight Competition Jury:
- Enrique Lopez Lavigne- Producer, Apaches Entertainment
- Augustine Chiarino- Producer, Control Z Films
- Alejandro Brugues – Director, Juan of the Dead
KNIGHT DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION featured 10 engaging and thought-provoking feature-length documentaries created by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons and inspiring people. The films competed for $10,000 courtesy of the Knight Foundation.
Knight Documentary Competition Jury:
- Ross Kaufman – Filmmaker, Red Light Films (USA)
- Adrian Bausch – Filmmaker (USA)
- Laura Kim – Founder, Inside Job
LEXUS IBERO-AMERICAN OPERA PRIMA COMPETITION and JORDAN ALEXANDER RESSLER SCREENWRITING AWARD COMPETITION featured four first-time feature filmmakers from Latin America that competed for a $5,000 cash prize presented by Lexus and a $5,000 cash prize presented by the Ressler Foundation .
Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima Competition and Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Competition Jury:
- Jessica Huppert Berman- Independent Feature Producer and Head of Newstead Films
- Dana Keith- Founder & Director of the Miami Beach Film Society (MBFS) and Cinematheque (MBC)
- Lisa Gottlieb- Associate Professor in the Motion Pictures Program in the Department of Cinema & Interactive Media, University of Miami
PAPI SHORTS COMPETITION PRESENTED BY MACY’S featured 10 short films from around the globe. The jury selected winner receives a $1,000 cash prize.
Papi Shorts Competition presented by Macy’s Jury:
- Diliana Alexander
- Rachel Bleemer
- Nicolas Calzada
- Tatyana Chiocchetti
- Luis F. Hernandez
- Ileana Orozo
- Jacqueline Proctor
- Kevin Sharpley
- Lisa Sloat
MIAMI ENCUENTROS presented by Moviecity winner receives a pre-sale contract offer valued at US$35,000.
Miami Encuentros Jury:
- Sandra Florin – Co-Founder, FiGa Films
- Silvia Hurbe – Managing Director, Latido Films
- Camille Neel – Head of International Sales, Le Pacte
- Diana Salcedo – Acquisitions Manager, Moviecity/Fox International Channels Latam
- Ryan Kampe – Founder, Visit Films
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Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), celebrating its 31st anniversary March 7 – 16, 2014, 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 60,000 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 2014 Festival include Knight Foundation, Lexus and Miami-Dade County. For more, visit miff2020.wpengine.com or call 305-237-MIFF (3456).
MDCulture is the Cultural Affairs Department of Miami Dade College (MDC). Comprising the Miami Book Fair International, Miami International Film Festival, Tower Theater, the Center for Literature and Theatre, Koubek Center, Freedom Tower, MDC Live Arts and MDC Galleries and Museum of Art + Design, MDCulture is committed to providing everyone the opportunity to come in contact with innovative thinkers, creators and tradition bearers from around the world. With each presentation, MDCulture offers a bridge between cultures and ideas, creating new opportunities for the increasingly diverse population of Miami to come together through shared live arts experiences. For more, visit mdculture.org.
Lexus launched in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since that time, Lexus has expanded its line-up to meet the needs of global luxury customers. In every vehicle, Lexus incorporates innovative technologies, high-quality designs and luxury materials. With numerous models featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader and is dedicated to developing vehicles that are kinder to the Earth. Lexus¹ current vehicles incorporate outstanding driving dynamic characteristics and feature a new design language that includes a spindle grille and distinctive lights, creating a signature look and feel for the luxury brand. In the United States, Lexus models are sold through 232 dealers who are committed to exemplary customer service.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit KnightFoundation.org.
MIFF Contact:
Jessica Wade Pfeffer, Jessica Wade Inc., +1 305-804-8424, jessica@jessicawadeinc.com
MDC Contacts:
Tere Estorino +1 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu
Sue Arrowsmith, +1 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu
Alejandro Rios, +1 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu
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