| For Immediate Release
September 25, 2014
Miami International Film Festival, a Program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, Announces VIP Attendees for MIFFecito 2014
Veteran Lead Actor Roberto Sanchez, Miami Native, Supports Lake Los Angeles
Opening Night Film Director Ernesto Daranas and Actor Héctor Noas to Attend
2009 Audience Darling Mariana Chenillo, Director of Paradise (Paraíso), Returns
Knight Foundation VP & Arts Patron Dennis Scholl Moderates The Laramie Project
Anti-Bullying Discussion with Director Moisés Kaufman
Miami, FL — Miami International Film Festival (MiamiFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, will welcome a talented gathering of recognized filmmakers, actors and arts luminaries in conjunction with MIFFecito 2014, taking place October 16 – 19, 2014. This year’s broad-ranging international film lineup from American, Bhutanese, Cuban, Italian, Mexican, Polish, and Spanish filmmakers will be exclusively premiered at Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater, a perfect Miami location for red carpet events, screenings, cocktail parties and a moderated discussion.
Guests of MIFFecito include:
Mariana Chenillo, Director of Paradise (Paraíso)
Jewish-Mexican filmmaker Mariana Chenillo is best known for her widely acclaimed first feature Nora’s Will (Cinco dias sin Nora), and the popular Mexican TV series “Soy Tu Fan”. Nora’s Will won numerous Ariel Awards (the Oscars of Mexico), including Best Picture. Her second feature film Paradise was produced by Mexico’s prolific Pablo Cruz of Canana Films.
Ernesto Daranas, Director of Behavior (Conducta)
Writer, director and documentarian Ernesto Daranas is an award-winning Cuban filmmaker with numerous writing and directing credits to his name, including his first feature, Fallen Gods (Los dioses rotos) (2008). His latest film, Behavior, screening at MIFFecito, is being described as “a virtually unprecedented social phenomenon” in Cuba.
Moisés Kaufman, Director of The Laramie Project
Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Moisés Kaufman is now based in New York City. He is the founder of Tectonic Theater Project and has won numerous awards for his theatrical work, including a Tony nomination. In 2002, his film adaption of his play The Laramie Project had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. He is currently in Miami rehearsing for a November production of Teutonic’s adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen. The Laramie Project will screen at MIFFecito 2014 and be the subject of a moderated discussion about the film’s lasting legacy.
Héctor Noas, Actor in Behavior (Conducta)
Héctor Noas is an award-winning Cuban film actor, radio actor and film documentary voiceover narrator. He received a Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor from the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana. Behavior is his second project with Daranas, the first being 2008’s Fallen Gods.
Roberto Sanchez, Actor in Lake Los Angeles
Born in Havana, Cuba and raised in Little Havana, this Miamian has an astounding 79 acting roles to his credit in both network episodic television and feature films, including “Law & Order”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Days of Our Lives”, Prison Break and the John Singleton action film 2 Fast 2 Furious with the late Paul Walker. Before becoming an actor in 2002, Roberto was a distinguished Desert Storm war veteran (Navy) and professionally competed in European basketball. MDC’s Tower Theater, where all MIFFecito films are being screened, was a frequent destination during Roberto’s childhood, where he watched movies, sparking his dream of becoming an actor.
Dennis Scholl, V/P Arts For The Knight Foundation
Dennis Scholl is the Vice President / Arts for Knight Foundation (with $2.3 billion in assets) overseeing the foundation’s national arts program, including the Knight Arts Challenge and Random Acts of Culture. He is well known as a collector of contemporary art and a three time regional Emmy winner for his work in cultural documentaries. Dennis is also the co-founder of Betts and Scholl, an award winning wine project. Dennis will be moderating The Laramie Project panel discussion with Moisés Kaufman regarding his groundbreaking 2002 film which spurred important anti-hate crime legislation nationwide.
Tickets to MIFFecito are available at 1-844-565-6433 (MIFF) or miff2020.wpengine.com/MIFFecito. Opening Night Film + Party $50 // $40 for members. All other screenings $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 members, $7 students. For membership opportunities or more information, please visit miff2020.wpengine.com or call 305-237-FILM (3456). Miami International Film Festival is the only major film festival event housed within a college or university.
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About Miami International Film Festival
Celebrating its 32nd anniversary March 6 – 15, 2015, MiamiFF 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. MiamiFF’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 2015 Festival include Knight Foundation, Lexus and Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit www.iamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM (3456).
About MDCulture
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 information, visit www.mdculture.org.
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 |
