The 32nd Miami International Film Festival announced the winners of the competition films with The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) taking the Grand Jury Prize. The sexually charged film starring José María Yazpik and Irene Azuela impressed a jury that included producer/director Phil Lord, British screenwriter Amma Asante and producer/actress Mercedes Gamero. The Award was presented Saturday night at the Gala Awards ceremony at Miami’s Olympia Theater at Gusman Center by James L. & John S. Knight Foundation Vice President of Arts Dennis Scholl.
The following is a list of those receiving awards in specific categories:
Knight Grand Jury Prize: The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) (Mexico), produced by Luis Albores, Erika Avila, Carlos Mesa and Armon O’Farrill
Grand Jury Award Best Performance: Cecilia Suarez, Jose Maria Yazpik and the entire cast of The Obscure Spring (Las oscuras primaveras) (Mexico)
Grand Jury Award Best Director: Abner Benaim for Invasion (Invasión) (Panama / Argentina).
KNIGHT DOCUMENTARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tea Time (La once) (Chile / USA), directed by Maite Alberdi.
LEXUS IBERO-AMERICAN OPERA PRIMA COMPETITION
In The Grayscale (En las gamas de gris) (Chile), directed by Claudio Marcone.
JORDAN ALEXANDER RESSLER SCREENWRITING AWARD
Theeb (Jordan / Qatar / United Arab Emirates / United Kingdom), written by Naji Abu Nowar and Bassel Ghandour.
PARK GROVE SHORTS COMPETITION
Young Lions of Gypsy (“A Ciambra”) (Italy/France), directed by Jonas Carpignano.
Honorable Mentions: “A Tree In The Sea” (United Arab Emirates), directed by Shahir Zag.
Alba Baptista for her performance in Simão Cayatte’s “Miami” (Portugal).
Earlier in the week, two other major Festival awards were presented:
MIAMI ENCUENTROS presented by Knight Foundation
The Apostate (El apóstata) (Spain / France / Uruguay), produced by Guadalupe Balaguer Trelles, Fernando Franco, and Federico Veiroj; directed by Federico Veiroj.
CINEMASLAM
Grand Prize winner: The First Day (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College), produced by Rita Pereyra, Martin Castañeda and Andrea Estrada
Audience Award winner: The First Day (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Documentary: Romana (University of Miami), produced by Barrett Dennison, Luis J. Galvis, Chantale Glover and Nick Katzenbach
Best Drama: The First Day (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Actor: Juan Jimenez, “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Actress: Valentina Jimenez, “The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Director: Rita Pereyra,”The First Day” (“El primer dia”) (Miami Dade College)
Best Technical Achievement: Timothy Wilcox, “Top Shelf” (Miami Dade College)
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
