Baja International Film Festival, Los Cabos, held in the state of Baja California Sur, announces the winner feature films and directors of its second edition, where films from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, as well as from other countries, were screened.

During 4 days, 35 films were presented; with a total of 80 screenings, 6 world premieres, 14 premieres in Mexico and one Latin America premiere.

The audience enjoyed 8 films from the Los Cabos Competition, 6 films from the Mexico First Competition, 4 international premieres and 3 special screenings (Blackfish, Machete Kills and The Object Formerly Known as a Record), the latter with a concert with one of the emblematic Mexican rock bands, Café Tacvba, attended by 1,200 people.

Additionally, the audience was able to enjoy six galas attended by our guest artists and filmmakers. Nine films took part in the industry activities; three completed ones and six in the Work In Progress Mexico area.

The municipality of Los Cabos received more than 80 producers from the international film scene, representatives from countries such as Canada, the U.S., Chile, Colombia, Spain, France, Germany, Mexico, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Argentina and Brazil.

During these days, Gael Garcia Bernal, renowned and talented Mexican actor, was honored with a tribute to his career, including the screening of the film The Science of Sleep by Michel Gondry. Also, a celebration for the fifteenth anniversary of Mantarraya took place with the presence of Carlos Reygadas, Amat Escalante and Jaime Romandia, besides having the presence of British filmmaker, Peter Greenaway.

This second edition’s closure included the screening of the film Dallas Buyers Club by Jean-Marc Vallée, and the awards ceremony in the following categories.

The Official Selection divided into two sections:

Los Cabos Competition section

1. Sarah Prefers to Run by Chloé Robichaud (Canada, 2013)
Prize: $15,000 USD

2. Alphée of the Stars by Hugo Latulippe (Canada, 2012)
Special Mention

Mexico First section

1. The Amazing Catfish by Claudia Sainte-Luce (Mexico, 2013)
Prize: $15,000 USD

Moviecity Mexico First section

1. The Life After by David Pablos (Mexico, 2013)
Prize: $40,000 USD (Consisting in the acquisition of television rights of the film, for the Latin American and Caribbean package of channels, excluding Brazil)

Work In Progress Mexico

1. El Comienzo del Tiempo by Bernardo Arellano
Produced by April Shannon
Production company: Agrupacion Caramelo Cinematografica
Prize: $10,000 USD

2. Los Bañistas by Max Zunino
Produced by Gloria Carrasco, Max Zunino and Sofia Espinosa
Production companies: Cornamusa and Peliculas Avestruz
Special Mention

Work In Progress Splendor Omnia Mantarraya

1. El Regreso del Muerto by Gustavo Gamou
Produced by Alejandro Duran and Elisa Miller
Production company: CCC
Prize: $5,000 USD

Gabriel Figueroa Fund Award– Film in development stage

1. Epitafio by Yuleine Olaizola
Produced by Ruben Imaz

2. Operacion Baby by Jose Luis Valle
Produced by Jose Luis Valle

3. Irekani by Gabriel Mariño
Produced by Tania Zarak

4. Semana Santa by Alejandra Marquez
Produced by Nicolas Celis and Jim Stark

5. Lisboa by Pablo Delgado Sanchez
Produced by Guillermo Ortiz

6. La Raya by Yolanda Cruz
Produced by Carlos Garza

7. La Tempestad by Tatiana Huezo
Produced by Nicolas Celis and Jim Stark

Prize: $5,000 USD

Gabriel Figueroa Fund Award – Film in post-production stage

1. El Comienzo del Tiempo by Bernardo Arellano
Produced by April Shannon

2. Eden de Elise Du Rant
Produced by Leandro Cordova

Prize: $51,620 USD in post-production services for each film, in alliance with Labo Digital.

BajaFilmFest-DocsForum Award

1. La Plaza de la Soledad by Martha Sosa and Maya Goded

Casete Award

1. The Amazing Catfish by Claudia Sainte-Luce
2. LuTo by Katina Medina Mora
3. Bering. Balance and Resistance by Lourdes Grobet

Prize: $6,500 USD in encoding and/or post-production to upload material in at least two platforms, Google Play and iTunes.

Bengala-UANL Award
           
1. Fernando Frías
Prize: $3,850 USD

Baja International Film Festival, Los Cabos ends in one of the most beautiful places in our country: Los Cabos. We hope to make this an annual date, a friendly and useful meeting with the most important members of the national and international film industry.

For more info visit:
www.bajafilmfest.com.mx