Miami International Film Festival starts this week

Scene from "City of God"

Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, has announced the films selected to screen during its 31st edition of the annual 10-day event, which runs March 7-16, 2014. Premiering at this year’s Festival will be 93 feature films and 28 short films from 38 countries, participating in competition and non-competition categories. Paragon 13 at CocoWalk is a big part of the event.

“The programming team of Miami International Film Festival believes the selection of films showcased in the Festival this year is a reflection of our passion for film, and we hope that it will strengthen our community’s love and appreciation for the art of filmmaking,” said MIFF Executive Director Jaie Laplante.

“We’re very excited about bringing the 31st edition of MIFF to our community,” said Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, MDC’s president. “A forerunner in Miami’s cultural scene, the Festival remains very fresh, creative and timely. It distinguishes itself from the world’s other major film festivals because of its heavy emphasis on education through its special screenings and seminars. I invite everyone to attend and enjoy its rich program.”

The Festival will open at the Olympia Theater at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts with the North American premiere of Elsa & Fred directed by Michael Radford. Radford previously attended MIFF in 2008. Oscar winners Shirley MacLaine and Christopher Plummer play the titular characters originated by China Zorrilla and Manuel Alexandre in this remake of the beloved 2008 release of the Argentine/Spanish film of the same name.  Also in the cast are Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden; as well as George Segal, Chris Noth, James Brolin, Wendell Pierce, Jaime Camil and Osvaldo Rios.

A “Patron 3-D” Gala Party at the Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building will unfold after the Opening Night screening of Elsa & Fred. 

The Festival‘s annual Awards Night gala will culminate with the World premiere of Rob the Mob directed by Raymond De Felitta and starring Andy Garcia. De Felitta and Garcia previously collaborated on the 2010 hit film City Island, which also premiered at MIFF.   Rob the Mob also stars Michael Pitt, Ray Romano, Burt Young, Griffin Dunne, Frank Whaley, Cathy Moriarty, Aida Turturro, Yul Vazquez and Nina Arianda.

This year’s Career Achievement Tribute will be presented to actor and filmmaker John Turturro. Turturro, a double Cannes winner (as Best Actor for Barton Fink in 1992 and with the Camera d’Or as Best First Feature Film director in 1993 for Mac) will present his latest directorial achievement, Fading Gigolo, as part of the CINEDWNTWN presented by Miami Downtown Development Authority program.  Fading Gigolo also stars Woody Allen, Sharon Stone and Sofia Vergara. 

A “Career Achievement Tribute” Party in John Turturro’s honor, also sponsored by 88 RUE DU RHONE, will be hosted by Area 31 Restaurant in the stunning Epic Hotel after the screening.

To start off, please visit the screening info for the Paragon 13 Films here.