Aruba International Film Festival

Sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority and located on one of the most exotic tourist destinations in the Caribbean, the Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) is the industry's must-attend event this October. Described as “a breezy, relaxed affair” by The Hollywood Reporter and “one helluva journey” by Ain’t It Cool News, the AIFF is an annual gateway between Europe and the Americas, bringing together filmmakers, international press and film enthusiasts from around the globe. The festival has become known for developing long-lasting relationships between Aruba and the international film community, while raising public awareness for Aruban culture and promoting regional filmmakers and productions. Over its past four editions, the AIFF has welcomed a number of high-profile film talent to Aruba. Visiting filmmakers and patrons are given rare access to unique and exciting value-add industry events, such as master classes, “in conversation with” talks, and panel discussions with such notable industry names as: • Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia) • Oscar-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker (The Wolf of Wall Street, Hugo) • Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Sideways) • Dutch film director Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Total Recall) • Hollywood film producer Randall Emmett (2 Guns, Lone Survivor) • Stunt coordinator/actress/producer Zoë Bell (Kill Bill, Raze) • Cuban-American actor Steven Bauer (Scarface, Traffic) • Actor/musician Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (Escape Plan, All Things Fall Apart) • Costume designer Michael Kaplan (Star Trek Into Darkness, Fight Club) Hosted by the state-of-the-art Caribbean Cinemas at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall, the AIFF always offers its guests a well-balanced program of high-quality narrative features, documentaries and shorts selected from a diverse international pool. The AIFF program exhibits films in the following categories: • International Features (narratives) • International Shorts (narratives) • Doxnfocus (documentaries) • Caribbean Spotlight Series (Caribbean shorts and features) • Aruba Flavor (locally produced shorts) Films selected for the AIFF program will compete for audience and jury awards and have the opportunity to receive press coverage from top media outlets such as BBC Europe, Film Journal International, Screen Daily, Fest 21, Empire Magazine, HBO Latino and the Huffington Post. Filmmakers of each selected film will receive two all-access passes to the festival plus discounted rates on hotel accommodations and other island-wide recreational activities. This year, the AIFF will be introducing its inaugural International Film Market Aruba (IFMA), one of the first of its kind in the Caribbean region. Visiting actors, directors, writers and producers from all over the world will have the opportunity to revel in the sheer beauty and hospitality of our island, while pitching and selling their films to international agents and distributors in a relaxed, conference-style atmosphere. Market participants will also have the opportunity to maximize their film's exposure by arranging special industry screenings for their peers and the visiting press. It’s the perfect balance of “work and play”. All films submitted through FilmFreeway for the program categories will automatically be entered into the IFMA film market, and will be able to enjoy the following benefits: • Discounted "Market Pass" to the festival, giving you access to the film market, all of the film screenings and industry events, filmmaker lounge, parties, and award ceremony • Discounted hotel accommodations • One-on-one meetings with attending film buyers and sales agents • Ability to schedule industry-only screenings of your film for buyers, agents, and press • Listing in the IFMA market catalog for easy access For more information, visit: http://www.aiff.aw/market As part of its dedication to promoting local and regional filmmaking talent, the AIFF established its Caribbean Spotlight Series. In the past, this series has screened the great work of filmmakers from Aruba, Venezuela, Curaçao, Colombia, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, Haiti, Mexico, Cuba, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Be sure to join us on the "One Happy Island" from October 7-11 for the 5th annual Aruba International Film Festival! Thank you for submitting and good luck!