Miami International Film Festival (MiamiFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, proudly announces the 12th Annual Edition of MiamiFF Encuentros, a post-production development program that is a call to action for all Latin American and US Hispanic filmmakers to submit unfinished films for consideration to win an achievement award from MiamiFF valued at USD$10,000. Sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the program coincides with the 32nd Annual MiamiFF taking place March 6 – 15, 2015. The objective of MiamiFF Encuentros is to provide financial support, industry connections and visibility for one lucky filmmaker, and propel their film towards their debut on the international stage.
Submissions to the program are open to all feature films produced partially or entirely by Latin American-based production companies, or from US Hispanic filmmakers, that are currently in post-production and will not be completed by March 2015. The works must have a minimum running time of 60 minutes and maximum of 120 minutes. Projects must be submitted no later than Monday, January 12, 2015.
Diana Sanchez, one of the world’s most influential experts on Latin American cinema, will again curate MiamiFF Encuentros 2015, sifting through entries, choosing finalists and helping select the panel of film industry professionals who will ultimately choose the winning project. For Sanchez, who created Encuentros for MiamiFF in 2003, the 2015 program will be a transitional year, saying “Encuentros has given so many talented Hispanic filmmakers the resources, support and love their films needed to cross the finish line, and for that, I’m extremely proud.” Sanchez will be stepping aside after 2015 to dedicate more time to family, but will continue to consult for MiamiFF in future years in a to-be-determined role.
The projects from the latest 2014 edition of MiamiFF Encuentros continue to prove the program’s influence – Aurora (Chile), the winning film directed by Rodrigo Sepúlveda, went on to have its world premiere at the prestigious Busan Film Festival in Korea and recently won Best International Film at its second festival outing, at Chile’s 10th anniversary edition of the Santiago Film Festival. Three other films featured in 2014’s edition were accepted into one of the world’s most important film festivals, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). They are: Argentina’s Lulu (formerly calledLulez) directed by Luis Ortega; Cuba’s Venice (Venecia) directed by Enrique (Kiki) Álvarez; and Chile’s Voice Over (La voz en off) directed by Cristián Jiménez. All three completed projects were part of TIFF’s Contemporary World Cinema program.
Executive Director of MiamiFF, Jaie Laplante, states “It’s important that all Latin American and US Hispanic filmmakers know that incredible organizations like Knight Foundation and Miami International Film Festival, along with scores of industry professionals, are rooting for their success. Encuentros is our platform to support the most meritorious productions not only get completed, but get those films into cinemas across the world.”
“Miami International Film Festival has been an invaluable platform for launching filmmakers’ projects. We’re looking forward to what this year’s submissions will yield, and how their projects will resonate not just in Miami but around the world,” said Dennis Scholl, vice president of arts for Knight Foundation.
One main producer from each project will be invited to attend the MiamiFF Encuentros screenings (open only to industry invitees) and outline the completion details for the film. The selected projects will be screened to a Jury comprised of members of distinction from the international film industry. Entry forms and complete rules for the program are now available at www.miamifilmfestival.com/encuentros.