IFF PANAMA: A movie feast fit for an Oscar Wilde

By Lourdes Quijada

MOVIE LOVERS in Panama will appreciate the modern twist to an Oscar Wilde aphorism “Moderation is a fatal thing. Enough is as bad as a meal. More than enough is as good as a feast”, as they get the opportunity to feast eyes and ears on over 60 movies April 3-9.

That’s quite the feast, spiced up with offerings from 35 countries, and perfect for film lovers who are frequently starved of quality productions that are not big box office. This year's gourmand feast  is known as  Panama’s third  International Film  Festival,  organized by the IFF Panama Foundation.

It has grown and prospered, since the first year when it  spearheaded by Henk Van Der Kolk,  co-founder of the world’s biggest  film fest in Toronto, who sat in the audience at the opening press conference this week. The Panama festival is recognized  as one of the top festivals in the region with many  its films having participated in some of  the older prestigious festivals, including Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and San Sebastian.

 Multiple international events will take place within the Festival framework, including the hosting of international movie movers and the MEETs program, to develops the first Latin American co-production market,
MEETs aspires to promote the creation of professional networks for film production, connecting up-and-coming filmmakers with producers who are interested in investing in film from the region.
Panama will also host the first Premios Platino for the Ibero-American Cinema, The gala event will take place on April and will include eight categories for the best feature films and the best film technicians from 22 Ibero-American countries.
A retrospective films section, highlighting stories from Central America and the Caribbean, has been added to the menu

As in previous editions of the Festival, renowned international actors, screenwriters and directors will participate and will engage audiences in Q & A sessions and workshops.
Panama’s World Heritage site, Casco Viejo will be the IFF headquarters with Festival’s guests hosted at the recently opened American Trade Hotel.

Neighboring residents need not be alarmed, as the hotel management has nixed late night roof top parties which had riled the local community.
The Teatro Nacional will hold the gala events, as well as regular screenings throughout the week of the Festival.  The Anita Villalaz Theatre will be the venue for screenings of Latin American retrospective films.

Free-of-charge outdoor screenings, a popular feature of the previous festivals will take place in Quinto Centenario Park at the edge of Casco Viejo.
Cinepolis at Multiplaza will be the setting for a significant number of regular screenings.