Cultural Spotlight
Film Festival Buzzed With Creative Energy
On its 25th birthday, Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) came of age.
During the course of 11 days, the Miami Dade College cultural experience screened more than 150 shorts, feature-length films and documentaries; was host to 400 filmmakers; and reminded the world of the important role it plays in serving as America’s gateway to the increasingly global world of movies.
Fittingly, MIFF commemorated its silver anniversary with Oscar winners Helen Hunt and Chris Cooper; Emmy winners Demi Moore and Patricia Clarkson; Golden Globe winner Kate Hudson; and many more.
Mexico-born Patricia Riggen opened the festival with La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon), starring telenovela powerhouse Kate del Castillo and comedian Eugenio Derbez.
“We’re honored to have been invited to open the festival,” said Riggen. “It’s an incredible festival. It’s an incredible city. It’s the capital of Latin America.”
Riggen’s film — a regional premiere — received a standing ovation.
On the festival’s second night, director Ira Sachs premiered his dark comedy, Married Life, which stars a quartet of A-listers: Cooper, Clarkson, Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day) and Rachel McAdams (The Notebook).
Sachs said: “It’s very exciting to be here … There’s an incredible energy to this festival.”
— Staff Report