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, January 30, 2008
MDC and MIFF Announce 25th Anniversary Film Program
From February 28 to March 9, cinephiles from around the globe will converge in Miami to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), the only major film festival in the world hosted by an institution of higher education.
At a special press conference this morning, MIFF announced the selection of films for the 2008 program and unveiled this year’s promotional poster, which displays the work of local artist and MDC alumnus César Santos.
The 2008 Festival features 160 films from all over the world, including Jordan, Romania, Israel, India, Taiwan, Czech Republic, France, Germany, the U.S. and Canada. The ever-popular Ibero-American Competition will showcase dramatic features from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Cuba and Spain.
The Festival opens with La misma luna (Under the Same Moon) by newcomer director/producer Patricia Riggen and celebrates Awards Night with La sconosciuta (The Unknown Woman) from Academy Award®-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso).
A number of special events will take place during the Festival, including the cinematic celebrations of Antillian jazz singer Izaline Calister and rap group Public Enemy; the REEL Seminars series of panel discussions and professional seminars with film industry leaders and noted filmmakers; and of course, our opening and closing-night galas.
Among the talent expected at this year's festival are Colin Firth, Juliette Binoche, Kate del Castillo, Carlos Santana, David Schwimmer, Harvey Keitel, Carlos Saura, Tony Shalhoub, Alfred Molina, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Kate Beckinsale, Heather Graham, Demi Moore, Fito Paez, Gael Garcia Bernal and many others.
Thank you to Patrick de Bokay, festival director, and all of the MIFF and College staff who work so hard year-round to make this event happen.
For more information about the 2008 program, volunteer opportunities or tickets, please visit www.miamifilmfestival.com.
I look forward to seeing you at the Festival.
Thank you.
Eduardo