Mexican filmmaker Ernesto Contreras’ second feature, The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) won the Knight Competition Grand Jury Prize of the 32nd annual Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival, the only major film festival worldwide produced by a college or university, at a Gala Awards ceremony tonight in downtown Miami’s Olympia Theater at Gusman Center.
The announcement was made by Jury members Phil Lord, Amma Asante and Mercedes Gamero, and the Award was presented by James L. & John S. Knight Foundation Vice President of Arts Dennis Scholl, representing the long-term sponsor of the award.
The awards ceremony, presided by the Festival’s executive director Jaie Laplante, capped a stellar edition of the Festival, with one final day of screenings still left to go, featuring a total of 124 films from 41 countries, including 15 World premieres.
“Films not only provide an escape but are a powerful and thought-provoking educational tool. Congratulations to all the winners and to the entire Festival team,” said Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón. “MDC is very proud to bring this flagship cultural event to the entire community and beyond.”
2015 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS – COMPLETE LIST
KNIGHT COMPETITION
Knight Grand Jury Prize: The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) (Mexico), produced by Luis Albores, Erika Avila, Carlos Mesa and Armon O’Farrill
Grand Jury Award Best Performance: Cecilia Suarez, Jose Maria Yazpik and the entire cast of The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) (Mexico)
Grand Jury Award Best Director: Abner Benaim for Invasion (Invasión) (Panama / Argentina)
KNIGHT DOCUMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Award winner was selected by the Festival audience. Carolina Piña represented the Festival Documentary audience at the ceremony, and announced the winning film.
Tea Time (La once) (Chile / USA), directed by Maite Alberdi
LEXUS IBERO-AMERICAN OPERA PRIMA COMPETITION
Jury members Hernán Musaluppi, Elena Manrique and Jorge Hernandez announced the winning film. The Award was presented by Lexus vehicle operations manager, Marcus Williams which included at $10,000 cash prize.
In The Grayscale (En las gamas de gris) (Chile), directed by Claudio Marcone
JORDAN ALEXANDER RESSLER SCREENWRITING AWARD
Jury members Gary Ressler and Hans Morgenstern announced the winner, and Gary Ressler presented the award. This special award recognizes and supports first-time produced screenwriters. It was created by the South Florida family of Jordan Alexander Ressler, an aspiring screenwriter and Cornell University film studies graduate who, during his brief entertainment career, held production positions with the Tony award-winning Broadway hits 700 Sundays with Billy Crystal and Jersey Boys.
Theeb (Jordan / Qatar / United Arab Emirates / United Kingdom), written by Naji Abu Nowar and Bassel Ghandour
PARK GROVE SHORTS COMPETITION
Jury members Nicolas Calzada, Genevieve Guermont and Jose-Antonio Valencia announced two honorable mentions and the winner on behalf of the entire jury, which included Oliver Mahrdt of German Films, Rachel Bleemer, Tatyana Chiocchetti, Alessandra Gherardi, Matthew Knobel, Steve Mesa, Ileana Oroza, Jaqueline
Proctor, Kevin Sharpley and Lisa Sloat. The Awards were presented by Park Grove CEO David Martin.
“Young Lions of Gypsy” (“A Ciambra”) (Italy/France), directed by Jonas Carpignano
Honorable Mentions: “A Tree In The Sea” (United Arab Emirates), directed by Shahir Zag; and Alba Baptista for her performance in Simão Cayatte’s “Miami” (Portugal).
Earlier in the week, two other major Festival awards were presented:
MIAMI ENCUENTROS presented by Knight Foundation
Jury members Virginie Devesa, Paul Hudson and Barbie Heusinger announced the winning project in post-production, at a presentation ceremony during one of its famed Happy Hours at The Standard Hotel & Spa Miami Beach on March 13th. Nicole Chipi, the Arts Program Associate from Knight Foundation, presented the Achievement Award, which includes $10,000 cash, and Aracne Digital Cinema also presented a DCP Mastering Service Package worth $5,000.
The Apostate (El apóstata) (Spain / France / Uruguay), produced by Guadalupe Balaguer Trelles, Fernando Franco, and Federico Veiroj; directed by Federico Veiroj.
CINEMASLAM
Jury members Aaron Moorhead, Ayoub Qanir and Melissa Ader announced the winners in all categories in the Miami student film competition, at a presentation ceremony at MDC’s Tower Theater on March 6th. The audience award winner was announced by Festival director Jaie Laplante during the Patrón Opening Night Party at MDC’s Freedom Tower later that same evening.
Grand Prize winner: “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College), produced by Rita Pereyra, Martin Castañeda and Andrea Estrada
Audience Award winner: “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Documentary: “Romana” (University of Miami), produced by Barrett Dennison, Luis J. Galvis, Chantale Glover and Nick Katzenbach
Best Drama: “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Actor: Juan Jimenez, “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Actress: Valentina Jimenez, “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Director: Rita Pereyra,”The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Technical Achievement: Timothy Wilcox, “Top Shelf” (Miami Dade College)