PRESS RELEASE

Miami International Film Festival VIP Attendees for MIFFecito 2014

Veteran Lead Actor Roberto Sanchez, Miami Native, Supports Lake Los Angeles
Opening Night Film Director Ernesto Daranas and Actor Héctor Noas To Attend
2009 Audience Darling Mariana Chenillo, Director of Paradise (Paraíso), Returns
Knight Foundation VP & Arts Patron Dennis Scholl Moderates The Laramie Project
Anti-Bullying Discussion With Director Moisés Kaufman

Miami International Film Festival (MiamiFF), a program of Miami Dade College’s MDCulture, will welcome a talented gathering of recognized filmmakers, actors and arts luminaries in conjunction with MIFFecito 2014, taking place October 16 – 19, 2014. This year’s broad-ranging international film lineup from American, Bhutanese, Cuban, Italian, Mexican, Polish, and Spanish filmmakers will be exclusively premiered at Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater, a perfect Miami location for red carpet events, screenings, cocktail parties and a moderated discussion.

Guests of MIFFecito include:

Mariana Chenillo, Director of Paradise (Paraíso)
Jewish-Mexican filmmaker Mariana Chenillo is best known for her widely acclaimed first feature Nora’s Will (Cinco dias sin Nora), and the popular Mexican TV series “Soy Tu Fan”. Nora’s Will won numerous Ariel Awards (the Oscars of Mexico), including Best Picture. Her second feature film Paradise was produced by Mexico’s prolific Pablo Cruz of Canana Films.

Ernesto Daranas, Director of Behavior (Conducta)
Writer, Director and Documentarian Ernesto Daranas is an award-winning Cuban filmmaker with numerous writing and directing credits to his name, including his first feature, Fallen Gods (Los dioses rotos) (2008). His latest film, Conducta, screening at MIFFecito, is being described as “a virtually unprecedented social phenomenon” in Cuba.

Moisés Kaufman, Director of The Laramie Project
Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Moisés Kaufman is now based in New York City. He is the founder of Tectonic Theater Project and has won numerous awards for his theatrical work, including a Tony nomination. In 2002, his film adaption of his play The Laramie Project had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. He is currently in Miami rehearsing for a November production of Teutonic’s adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen. The Laramie Project will screen at MIFFecito 2014 and be the subject of a moderated discussion about the film’s lasting legacy.

Hector Noas, Actor in Behavior (Conducta)
Hector Noas is an award-winning Cuban film actor, radio actor and film documentary voiceover narrator. He received a Gold Medal and Diploma of Honor from the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana. Conducta is his second project with Daranas, the first being 2008’s Fallen Gods.

Roberto Sanchez, Actor in Lake Los Angeles
Born in Havana, Cuba but raised in Little Havana, this Miami native has an astounding 79 acting roles to his credit in both network episodic television and feature films, including “Law & Order”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Days of Our Lives”, Prison Break and the John Singleton action film 2 Fast 2 Furious with the late Paul Walker. Before becoming an actor in 2002, Roberto was a distinguished Desert Storm war veteran (Navy) and professionally competed in European basketball. MDC’s Tower Theater, where all MIFFecito films are being screened, was a frequent destination during Roberto’s childhood, where he watched movies, sparking his dream of becoming an actor.

Dennis Scholl, V/P Arts For The Knight Foundation
Dennis Scholl is the Vice President / Arts for Knight Foundation (with $2.3 billion in assets) overseeing the foundation’s national arts program, including the Knight Arts Challenge and Random Acts of Culture. He is well known as a collector of contemporary art and a three time regional Emmy winner for his work in cultural documentaries. Dennis is also the co-founder of Betts and Scholl, an award winning wine project. Dennis will be moderating The Laramie Project panel discussion with Moisés Kaufman regarding his groundbreaking 2002 film which spurred important anti-hate crime legislation nationwide.

Tickets to MIFFecito are available at 1-844-565-6433(MIFF) or www.miamifilmfestival.com/MIFFecito. Opening Night Film + Party $50 // $40 for members. All other screenings $12 adults, $11 seniors, $10 members, $7 students. For membership opportunities or more information, please visit www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-237-FILM(3456). Miami International Film Festival is the only major film festival event housed within a college or university.