It was just a few months ago that we were enjoying the Miami International Film Festival's 2012 edition -- heaping praise on The Strawberry Tree and Chinese Take-Away, mingling with Magic City's stars at their red carpet screening, and being awed at the sheer number of films that had been vetted for the event -- over 100.
Well, it takes a long time to watch all those movies. And it takes even longer to work out the screening details with each film's business-minded studios and temperamental creative types behind the cameras. So it's no surprise that the MIFF is getting a head start on the planning of its 30th anniversary festival in 2013.
"In its first 29 years, Miami International Film Festival has presented the works of many great masters, and introduced many outstanding new talents to the United States," said MIFF executive director Jaie Laplante. "For our 30th year, we are looking for compelling, fascinating projects that will fit the theme we have chosen to celebrate our third decade: Every character under the sun / Todos los personajes bajo el sol."
You could say that's been the theme of MIFF's offerings for years now; last year alone, we watched the story of a woman who loves her dog more than her husband; a Midwestern boy with dreams of becoming a Mariachi singer; a Brooklyn slam poet convicted of three felonies; and Chinese underground hip-hop MCs. Still, as the country's premiere Ibero-American film festival, diversity is essential. Might as well spell it out in the stated theme as well as on the screen.
Submissions will be accepted through an extended deadline of Sept. 28 for most prizes, but entry costs increase as time goes on. Not that MIFF's winning filmmakers need to worry too much about funding; in 2013, the festival will award over $60,000 in cash and prizes.
The 30th Miami International Film Festival will take place March 1-10, 2013.
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