LALIFF closed its Eighth Edition at the Egyptian Theatre, in the heart of Hollywood. The juries gave their verdicts at a ceremony conducted by LALIFF’s chairman Edward James Olmos and Marlene Dermer, Executive Director.

Actress Lupe Ontiveros spoke on behalf of the Feature Film Jury. The award to Best Opera Prima went to Hoy y mañana (Argentina) by Alejandro Chomski, Best Screenplay to India Pravile (Argentina) by Mario Sabato, Best Director to Nancy Savoca for her film Dirt, and the “Rita” award to Best Film to Punto y raya (Venezuela) by Elia Schneider.

Cuban actor Vladimir Cruz presented the Best Short Film Award to Pelea de gallos (USA) by Joel Juárez Sánchez and Premeditation (USA) by Alberto Barboza. Both shorts will be entered in competition for next year’s Academy Awards.

Jorge Rufinelli was in charge of presenting the Best Opera Prima Documentary Award to O prisioneiro da grade de ferro (Brazil) by Paulo Sacramento and the Best Documentary Award to Memoria del saqueo (Argentina) by Fernando E. Solanas.

The Audience Award went to Conversaciones con mamá (Argentina-Spain) by Santiago Carlos Oves.

After ten days of screenings attended by more than 25,000 people, LALIFF closed its doors until next year.