The 2007 Cancun International Film Festival will be an exciting 5-day series of events showcasing the best of International films from around the world as well as specially selected films from Latin American. CIFF 2007 will also feature Gala premieres, Competitive Programs, Retrospectives and Master Classes. And of course, CIFF 2007 will also be a time of celebration, with special events ranging from evening beach screenings of classic films, to parties and VIP receptions – the Cancun International Film Festival will be truly an event to be remembered.

The programming team of the 2007 CIFF has assembled an exciting program for the viewing public. Below is a description of what you can look forward to:

Program Overview
This year’s inaugural Cancun International Film Festival (CIFF) will include approximately 50 – 60 feature length films. These will be presented in both competitive and non-competitive programs over the 5 days of the festival beginning Wednesday, November 14, 2007.

Awards for the Competitive Programs will be presented at the Awards Gala to be held on Sunday, November 18, 2007 following the Closing Night Premiere. Additionally 8 honorary awards will be presented during the festival.

Special Presentations (Galas)
Approximately 4 – 6 Gala Premieres will be presented during the Festival. Beginning with the Opening Night Film on Wednesday, November 14. Each evening we will host a Premiere Screening, followed by a party to celebrate the screening. The films will include a selection of Big Hollywood releases and the top international films of the season. The directors and stars of the films will be invited to attend the premiere screenings. The Closing Night Premiere will be held on Sunday, November 18, prior to the Awards Gala.

Cancun Looks at the World
A collection of approximately 30 – 35 feature length films will be presented during the 5 days of the Festival. These will include both fiction and documentary films from all countries around the world, and will represent the top international films of the year. The directors from each of the films will be invited to attend the Festival to discuss their work with CIFF audiences.

Spotlight on Latin America
This Competitive Program will include approximately 10 – 12 films from Mexico, Latin and South American, including Brazil. The collection will represent the very best of cinema from the region this year. This competition will be judged by a jury of internationally acclaimed filmmakers and industry VIPs. The directors from each of the films will be attendance to discuss their work with CIFF audiences. Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress will be presented at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 18, 2007.

REEL World
This Competitive Program will include a collection of feature length documentaries from around the world including Latin America. The films will be screening throughout the Festival. A jury of international filmmakers and industry executives will select the winner. The Award for Best International Documentary will be presented at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 18.

Films in Brief
This Competitive Program of short films will include live action, short documentary and animation from all over Mexico, Latin and South American, including Brazil. Films must have a running length of no more than 30 minutes to be eligible. Approximately 25 films will be chosen for this program that will be judge by a jury of internationally acclaimed filmmakers, who will select the Best Short Film. The Award will be presented at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 18, 2007.

Retrospectives
The Festival will pay tribute to some of world’s top filmmakers and actors in a series of Retrospectives held this year. These Retrospectives will include a presentation of a number the filmmakers or actors films, screened throughout the Festival, followed by a moderated discussion with the filmmaker for CIFF audiences in attendance. Honorary Awards may also be presented to these industry legends at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 18.

Master Classes
The Festival will invite vanguards of film from around the world to come to Cancun to discuss their work and detail their experiences in the business for both film students and Festival audiences. These Master Classes may include a selection of films chosen by the filmmaker for the influence they had on their own work. Honorary Awards may also be presented to these filmmakers at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 18.

Stars on the Beach
Each night, the festival will present a classic film screening on the beach. These beach screenings will be free to everyone. The lineup of festival favorites will include films from Mexico and around the world.