Latin American Film Festival.

The American Film Institute (AFI) will for the first time bring the annual Latin American Film Festival to three screens at two locations — adding two theaters at the newly-renovated art moderne AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, to the AFI National Film Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Festival’s home for the previous five years.

Not only has the 2003 Latin American Film Festival expanded its accessibility to regional, national and international audiences, the Festival’s sponsors — the Organization of American States (OAS), AFI, the Cultural Foundation of the Americas and participating embassies — have broadened its programming from 16 films in 2002 to 36 new and internationally-
recognized titles drawn from four categories: features, short films, films from literature and children’s movies. Representing 14 countries from across the Americas, Festival participation has reached a record level, aspiring to
expand even further with 50 films from an even broader Latin American base next year.

Presenting “the latest and best” from the 14 participating countries, the 2003 Latin American Film Festival features films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Filmmakers scheduled to present and discuss their films at the Festival include Argentina’s Hector Molina (director, ILLUSION OF MOVEMENT); Brazil’s Suzana Amaral (director, A HIDDEN LIFE), Helvecio Ratton (director, RADIO FAVELA) and Jose Joffily (director, TWO LOST ON A DIRTY NIGHT); Colombia’s Clara Maria Ochoa (producer, A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE); Ecuador’s German Valverde (producer, OUT OF BOUNDS); Guatemala’s Alejandro Castillo (director, INVISIBLE EVIDENCE); Honduras’ Juan Carlos Fanconi (director, MIDNIGHT SOULS); Mexico’s Ignacio Ortiz (director, BEDTIME FAIRY TALES FOR CROCODILES); Panama’s Jose Luis Rodriquez (producer, MY GRANDMOTHER’S GRANDFATHER); Paraguay’s Javier Meza (producer, THORNS OF THE SOUL); Peru’s Alvaro Velarde (director, DESTINY HAS NO FAVORITES), Uruguay’s Luis Nieto (director, SOUTHERN STAR); and Venezuela’s Henrique Lazo (director, A BRAND NEW START).

At the AFI National Film Theater at the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC):

* Colombia’s A GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE [Como el gato y el raton], 6:30 p.m.

Street lighting comes at last to La Estrella, near Bogota, but it doesn’t bring unity. After pals Jairo Camargo and Gilberto Ramirez wire up their homes, a cable comes too close to a power line, and somebody pulls the plug during a soccer match — and the bickering escalates from pranks into dirty tricks. Comic debut work from the son of longtime stage and screen director Jorge Ali Triana (OEDIPUS ALCALDE). Best Colombian Film, Bogota Festival; Best Cinematography, Cartagena Festival. Directed by Rodrigo Triana. 2002, color, 93 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

* Mexico’s BEDTIME FAIRY TALES FOR CROCODILES [Cuentos de hadas para dormir cocodrilos], 8:30 p.m.

Hearing that his father is dying, Arturo Rios hurries back to his crumbling childhood home in the hills, only to be told that his father died years ago. A family chronicle begins, dating back to the 1860s and the French soldier’s gun and coat, carrying through succeeding wars and a pattern of fratricide, dreams and insomnia. Seven Ariel Awards, including Best Film, Actor, Director, Screenplay, Score. Directed by Ignacio Ortiz Cruz. 2002, color, 100 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

At the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Silver Spring, MD):

* SHORTS FROM PANAMA, 6:30 p.m.

MY GRANDMOTHER’S GRANDFATHER: CAYUCO STORY [La historia de Cayuco] In a tiny fishing village, a little girl starts running into “spirits” on the beach, but can her initially disbelieving mom take cre of things? Directed by Jose Vega. Panama, 2002, color, 35 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

Plus MY GRANDMOTHER’S GRANDFATHER: BETWEEN DREAMS AND LOTTERIES [El abuelo de mi abuela: Entre suenos y loterias]
A girl who likes to play nurse to her dolls gets a big job with the small-town lottery, and dreams come true. Directed by Carlos Aguilar. Short, 2002, color, 35 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

* Ecuador’s OUT OF BOUNDS [Fuera de juego], 6:40 p.m.

In the wake of his country’s social, economic and financial collapse, innocent Manolo Santillan feels as though he’s got just one way out to his big dream: to try his luck on another continent “up north.” But what if that big heist goes wrong? First feature for former director of photography and documentary and commercial filmmaker Arregui. Directed by Victor Manuel Arregui. 2002, color, 122 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

* Guatemala’s INVISIBLE EVIDENCE [Evidencia invisible], 8:30 p.m.

Visiting American journalist Brandon Johnson finds more than he’s bargained for in modern Guatemala, with forces of repression still lurking. Directed by Alejandro Castillo Close. Guatemala, 2001, color. Spanish with English subtitles.

* Costa Rica’s PASSIONATE WOMEN [Mujeres apasionadas], 8:45 p.m.

After years apart, old acquaintances — stockbroker Claudia Catania, sculptress Moy Arburola, forensic scientist Alejandra Portillo and TV journalist Grettel Cedeno — have all been summoned to the study of four-years-ago mysteriously deceased sculptor Carlos Mata at the same hour on the same day. Directed by Maureen Jimenez. Costa Rica, 2002, color, 96 min. Spanish with English subtitles.

For more information at http://www.oas.org/filmfestival