One of the greatest delights of the Festival life is finding out what will be crowned the audience favorite.
For GEMS, that tradition started in 2015, where we unveiled the Gigi Guermont GEMS Audience Award. Genevieve “Gigi” Guermont was an ardent supporter of the arts and a cherished member of the Festival’s host committee, making it only fitting that our GEMS Audience Award bear her name. A true gem herself in every sense of the word, Gigi is deeply missed, and we know she would be excited to see who earns this special prize.
The Audience Award is particularly coveted, because it’s a true marker of what film most resonated with audience members – not just industry insiders and film aficionados. Here at the Miami Film Festival, we’re always trying to predict in advance what film will take home the honor, with a few key indicators usually swaying our decision.
For the first time, we’re going to be launching the GUESS THAT WINNER! contest. Of the 13 films screening during GEMS, only one can take home the Audience Award, and we want to know what you think has the edge! Click HERE to submit your guess for which film you think will win the Audience Award at GEMS 2016. Of those that guess correctly, 3 winners will be chosen at random to receive awesome prizes from our generous sponsors, Café Avanti & Azucar Ice Cream Company. Read on to see which films we view as the frontrunners – but keep in mind: in the end, it all comes down to you!
INSEPARABLES – Our Awards Night film Inseparables is one to watch, due in no small part to the fact the Argentina is the current reigning champion, having taken home the Audience Award at the 2015 GEMS film festival for the thriller The Clan. Based on the 2011 worldwide French hit The Intouchables, this Argentine adaptation is full of heart, laughs, and unforgettable characters — qualities that we think may just win it the top prize.
CHRISTINE – Featuring a star-turning performance from lead actress Rebecca Hall, Christine has some of that same shocking edge that drew audiences so fervently towards The Clan last year. A true story about a news reporter who infamously committed suicide on air in 1974, like The Clan, Christine is a story that audience members may not have been previously exposed to – but once they are, it’s one that’ll stay with them long after they exit the theater.
KI KI, LOVE TO LOVE — If there’s one thing we know for certain here at the Festival, it’s that our audience members can’t get enough of our Ibero-American focus, with Spanish comedies being a particular favorite. Coming on the heels of multiple sold-out screenings for past fall festival titles such as Spanish Affair and It’s Now or Never, sexy Spanish comedy Ki Ki, Love to Love is a surefire crowd-pleaser, one we expect to sell out early on in the game.
I, DANIEL BLAKE – As previously mentioned, Hispanic films tend to hold a special place in the hearts of Miami Film Festival attendees. So usually a British film that explores the UK’s broken welfare system would make for a peculiar choice. However, this could be the year where all our preconceived notions are thrown out the window. Besides winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, I, Daniel Blake also took home the Audience Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain last week – leading us to believe that this universally impactful film is one not to be underestimated.
Miami Film Festival’s GEMS takes place October 13-16, exclusively at MDC’s Tower Theater. To view the full line-up and to purchase tickets, visit gemsmiamifilmstage.wpengine.com.
