News

The Panama International Film Festival, which returns to Panama City April 7-13, is starting to attract serious international buzz for its mix of top films and hot talent.

This is the fifth edition of the festival and it is clearly helped put Panama City on the map as a center for cinema. More than 30,000 people are expected to attend screenings, which will feature live appearances by many of the directors and actors. This year nine films will make their world premieres at the festival, including five from Panama.

Eleven films will be making their Latin American premieres. The roster also features the Latin American premiere of this year’s Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, “Son of Saul,” from Hungarian picture. There is no doubt the festival has gotten the attention of the cinema world. “Panama:

The Next Big Country for Latin American Films?” was the headline on a recent report on IndieWire by international film specialist Sydney Levine. Panama is emerging as the regional leader for film talent, she writes.

“This year’s Panamanian pictures portray the constant struggle of minorities, problematic life in the city, the search for one’s identity, and unresolved past events, exploring numerous socio-cultural issues living in the isthmus of Panama,” she writes in her post.

She also notes that Latin American films are gaining more notice around the world, and not simply Mexico, which has produced some of the world’s great director. “ An exponential surge in the quantity and quality of films has come out of Latin America over the past few years,” she notes. As she reports, the Panama festival is helmed by a team of international professionals who know the business.

“So we will put our eye upon Panama, the next possible contender for The Latin American Prize for Excellence in Cinematic Experience,” Levine writes. Beyond the international attention, the festival has become an integral part of cultural life in Panama City. This year’s event a wide variety of workshops for young filmmakers, presented by top talent from around the region.

The Balboa Theatre will be the headquarters for the festival, but movies will also screen at the Cinepolis Multiplaza, Anita Villalaz Theatre, the Amphitheater of the Presidency and the Cinta Costera 3.   

Learn more about the Panama International Film Festival here.

The trailer for the Panama film “Salsipuedes”:

The trailer for the 2016 Oscar Winner for Foreign Language: Son of Saul