WALK THE MIFO RED CARPET
By Michael W. Sasser and Rafa Carvajal
Lights Set To Dim For 18th MiFo LGBT Film Festival: Miami Edition
The evolution of South Florida’s LGBT film festival reflects the evolution of the overall community.
The festival was founded by a few pioneers at a time when the gay and lesbian community were establishing a handful of neighborhoods in South Florida. It was propelled by big dreams, incredible energy and a sense of “can do” despite long odds, huge obstacles and a community still trying to find its way in the fabric of South Florida. It was edgy, artsy, sometimes clumsy in taking its first few steps.
Yet that festival managed something few do in their fledgling years; and that is to be distinct, original, and to put out for audiences a program that captured the energy and culture of its originators and of the host city it played to. It was brash, it was bold and it was beautiful.
Today, the MiFo LGBT Film Festival is all grown up and continues to reflect the community. It is more mature, more confident, more professional – it has worked its way to the table and is a player on the South Florida scene. It also encompasses South Florida in totality now, with Miami-Dade and Broward together in its magnificent mix. If the original festival was that brilliant, artsy partner who helped open your eyes to the world, the modern festival is the same partner, now a visionary professional with whom you travel to see the world.
This week, MiFo is set to return with a great lineup of new films for its Miami edition.
The curtain will rise on the MiFo LGBT Film Festival’s Miami edition on Friday, April 22, kicking off a 10-day festival with more than 80 films from 28 countries, an unprecedented number of premieres and a spectacular lineup of special events. Presented by Celebrity Cruises, Gilead and SHOWTIME, MiFo runs April 22 through May 1.
Now in its 18th year, MiFo’s expanded lineup is a reflection of the festival’s emerging stature as an internationally recognized, world-class film festival. The array of films includes 39 Features, 14 Documentaries, 31 Shorts and a record number of Premieres: 4 World Premieres, 3 International Premieres, 2 North American Premieres, 3 U.S. Premieres, 17 East Coast Premieres, 4 Southeast Premieres and 2 Florida Premieres.
Rebranded in 2015 as “MiFo,” the festival’s motto “UNITED WE FILM,” not only signifies the melding of Miami and Fort Lauderdale under one brand, but is also reflective of the diversity of the films, the market and the MiFo audience. MiFo Miami has grown from a three-day festival in which 25 films were presented, to the current 10-day event with 80+ films. The 8th Annual Fort Lauderdale Edition – October 7-16 – has evolved from a three-day event to a two-weekend event, showcasing 50+ films.
Films will be screened at the Regal Cinemas South Beach, Colony Theater, Miami Beach Cinematheque and the Wolfsonian-FIU, all in the heart of South Beach.
We sat down with Victor Gimenez, executive director of MiFo LGBT Film Festival, to learn more about this year’s festival.
Rafa Carvajal: What are the highlights of this year’s MiFo Miami LGBT Film Festival?
Victor Gimenez: The world premiere of our Centerpiece Film Uncle Gloria on Wednesday the 27th at Regal South Beach, as well as our new presenting partner Celebrity Cruises Taste of Film Event — where audience members will be offered an interactive culinary experience while watching a film, on Thursday the 28th at the Wolfsonian.
RC: What is your Opening Night film this year and why did MiFo select it for the opening?
VG: The Opening Night film this year is A Holy Mess. The selection of an Opening Night film is always a difficult one. The opening film has to be good, emotionally impactful, set the tone for the upcoming festival, and leave the audience excited for what comes next. A Holy Mess scores in all these counts. Who can’t identify when extended families come together for the holidays? A Holy Mess strikes a nice balance between comedy and drama, brings a smile to your face, and we believe leaves you wanting more.
RC: What films are you most excited about this year and why?
VG: I always gravitate to stories I haven’t seen before or shown from a different point of view. I’m most excited for our Centerpiece Film, Uncle Gloria – one of those “only in Florida” stories. For documentaries, I hope the audience enjoys The Guy with the Knife as much as I did. For features with an edge, Downriver from Australia – where we are fortunate to have both the director Grant Scicluna and lead actor Reef Ireland in attendance.
RC: Tell our readers about this year’s social events for MiFo Miami.
VG: We start off with our Filmmaker Soiree before the Opening Night film at the Hotel Gaythering, where our Producers Circle members can mingle with filmmakers and talent in attendance. Later we have our Opening Night party at the Miami Beach Golf Club with DJ Maximus, Friday the 22nd. DJ Maximus will also be with us at our Centerpiece Party on Wednesday the 27th at the Wolfsonian and our High Heel Party – where participants can strut across the stage on Friday the 29th at the Women’s Club of Miami Beach. Closing Night on the 30th is going to be at the Albion Hotel, and we are returning to the iconic Biltmore Hotel for our Awards Brunch on May 1. New this year is the “Taste of Film” sponsored by Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity is creating an incredible interactive experience with food and film on Thursday, April 28 at the Wolfsonian. Audience members will be treated to a cocktail hour before the screening, and then while the film is playing, Celebrity will be serving food and drinks inspired by the film.
RC: Which celebrities are starring in films being shown at MiFo Miami? Which films?
VG: For Viva on Thursday, April 28, we will have stars Hector Medina and Luis Alberto Garcia. Opening Weekend director Casper Andreas will be in town for both his films, Flatbush Luck on Saturday the 23rd and Kiss Me, Kill Me on Sunday the 24th. Stars Juahn Cabrera of Flatbush and Jai Rodriguez of Kiss Me will also be there. Closing weekend we are excited to have all the way from Australia, director Grant Scicluna and star Reef Ireland of Downriver on Friday the 29th. On Saturday the 30th, we have director Kerstin Kalhuber and star Tom Malloy of Fair Haven. For the Closing Film, Love Is All You Need?, we have director Kim Rocco Shields and stars Briana Evigan and Blake Cooper Griffin. Also, our Centerpiece Film, Uncle Gloria will have director Robyn Symon, and, depending on her surgery recuperation, Uncle Gloria herself.
RC: What are you looking forward to the most for MiFo Miami 2016?
VG: Seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The festival is about great films and a great community.
RC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with Wire Magazine readers?
VG: Support the festival! Come to the movies, make new friends and hopefully become a member.
This article was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 16.2016