7th January, 2009
Discovering Latin America Film Festival Programme includes over 40 films from 13 different Latin American nations. We are very proud to welcome in this year’s edition Chile, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela as first-time participants and supporters.
During the last year we have searched for the most beautiful, touching and interesting films and documentaries that project the versatility and richness of the continent. To accomplish this we have visited different film festivals around the world, contacted filmmakers, producers and distributors. Films were carefully selected to offer the best of Latin American films.
The diverse and dynamic programme goes from high profile international premieres and quirky independent features to socially and culturally illuminating documentaries and Special Events not leaving aside a wealth of short films.
In addition to the impressive roster of films, the extensive schedule of the Feature Films Section includes the prestigious Opening Night at Chelsea Cinema with ‘Viva Cuba!’ by Juan Carlos Cremata and ‘Secuestro Express’ by Jonathan Jakubowicz and the UK Premieres of the Closing Night at Ritzy Cinema with ‘Nordeste’ by Juan Diego Solanas and ‘Monobloc’ by Luis Ortega. Not forgetting the ‘red carpet’ Gala Nights at Odeon Covent Garden and Ritzy Cinema’s main screening rooms with the presentation of ‘Caribe’ by Esteban Ramirez and ‘Days of Santiago’ by Josué Mendez.
We are also delighted to welcome our special guests to introduce their award-winning films and stimulate discussion among the audience: Ignacio Prieto, lead actor of ‘La Sombra del Caminante’ by Ciro Guerra –the film which is representing Colombia at the Academy Awards 2006, director Esteban Ramírez, whose film ‘Caribe’ is representing Costa Rica for the first time ever at the Academy Awards 2006, director Josué Mendez whose film ‘Días de Santiago’ is representing Peru at the Academy Awards 2006, Juan Diego Solanas from Argentina, director of ‘Nordeste’ one of Cannes’ favourite this year at the Un Certain Regard program, and Andre Semenza, director of ‘Ashes of God’, the first Brazilian contemporary feature-length dance film.
Thank you to all those who collaborated to allow us make this exciting opportunity a reality for cinema and film lovers both in our community and the western hemisphere.
Alexa Dean
Artistic Director
DLA Film Festival