Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Gibara: Low-Budget Film Festival Begins


The International Low-Budget Film Festival that takes place each year in Gibara, opened Monday with the traditional parade and the screening of the Cuban film "Un dia de noviembre" by the late film director Humberto Solas.

The Cuban actress Eslinda Nunez, Margarita Maguregui from Spain and Mexican Filmmaker Ricardo Benet make up the jury that will grant the awards for the winning films in the category of fiction.

A jury made up by Gonzalo Fredes from Chile; the Cuban Xenia Rivery and Ivan Trujillo from Mexico will grant two awards in the section of rough cut projects and unpublished scripts for feature films, sponsored by HIVOS and Swiss Effects.

Filmmakers Jesus Leon, from Spain; Lissette Vila, from Cuba and Mexican Guillermo Moteforte will grant the prizes in the category of documentary, video art and experimental works.

The program for the event includes forums to debate topics related to the Cuban film such as "The invisible offices, an unresolved school," and “For a less Low-Budget Film: Towards an optimal post-production with greater potential for distribution."

The festival will pay a special tribute to Cuban filmmaker Tomas Gutierrez Alea, with the screening of the documentary “Titon: de La Habana a la Guantanamera,” directed by
Mirta Ibarra, on Tuesday at 7:00 pm at the Jibá movie. Films like "Fresa y Chocolate" and "La muerte de un burócrata," both directed by Titon, will also be shown during the festival.