Eduardo J. Padrón
President
Office of the President
300 N.E. Second Avenue
Miami, Florida 33132-2297
305-237-3316
epadron@mdc.edu
Message From the President
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Miami International Film Festival Kicks Off Friday With <em>Mariachi Gringo</em>
The 29th edition of MDC's Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) will kick off at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, March 2, with the 7 p.m. world premiere of Mariachi Gringo. Directed by Tom Gustafson and starring Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza, X-Men star Shawn Ashmore and Mexican singer Lila Downs. Mariachi Gringo tells the awe-inspiring story of a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to follow his dreams. The screening will be followed by the Patron XO Café Noir Opening Night Party at the historic Dupont Building.
The 2012 festival, March 2 - March 11, features a lineup of more than 100 films from 35 countries, including 17 world/international premieres, and 20 North American and U.S. premieres. Stars and filmmakers confirmed to grace this year's Red Carpet include Rodrigo Santoro at the U.S. premiere of Heleno, Kevin Kline, Richard Jenkins and Lawrence and Meg Kasdan at the East Coast premiere of Darling Companion, Robert Loggia and Rumer Willis at the world premiere of The Diary of Preston Plummer and Ricardo Darín at the Awards Night U.S. premiere of Chinese Take-Away.
Among the other films screening at MIFF 2012 are the much-anticipated Spanish/Cuban zombie comedy Juan of the Dead and Under African Skies, Oscar nominee Joe Berlinger’s Sundance Film Festival hit about the 25th anniversary of Paul Simon’s “Graceland” project. Due to popular demand, several additional screenings have been added to the MIFF lineup, including a second screening of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders' About Face, a third screening of The Woman in the Fifth (starring Ethan Hawke) and the documentary Unfinished Spaces, about Cuba's national art schools.
A number of special events and competitions will take place during the festival, including a career achievement tribute to veteran Hollywood character actor and Oscar nominee Robert Loggia (Jagged Edge, Scarface, Big); the Knight Ibero-American and Knight Documentary competitions; and newly added programs, such as the Lexus Opera Prima Competition. A description of these events and others may be found on the Miami International Film Festival website.
For more information about the 2012 program, volunteer opportunities, or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/.
See you at the movies.
Eduardo