Saturday, March 14-----Aside from its role as a key cultural event for the city of Miami, the Miami International Film Festival is also ground zero for the awareness of new films from Spain and Latin America to the international marketplace. Through the MIFF Reel Education Seminar Series, local indies and visiting filmmakers from around the world have been able to hear from industry experts on topics ranging from film financing, Equally as potent is the networking between filmmakers that has been made easier by the nightly Happy Hour meet-and-greets at the Royal Palm Hotel, the Festival’s hq, and at late night after-screening parties at various chic South Beach venues.

For the seventh year, the Festival is presenting Miami Encuentros, a program designed to introduce new projects in development from Latin American and Spanish producers who take meetings with an array of financiers, distributors, sales agents and other professionals. This year’s projects arrive from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Dominican Republic and, for the first time, from Florida. The initiative, which is sponsored by American Airlines, Kodak nd Entertainment Partners, has helped over 60 projects find international partners. Among the notable success stories from previous years includes THE HOLY GIRL by Argentina’s Lucrecia Martel, MACHUCA by Chile’s Andres Wood, SATANAS by Colombia’s AndI Boiz, THE BALLROOM by Brazil’s Lais Bodansky (which is screening at this year’s event), DOG EAT DOG by Colombia’s Carlos Moreno and AUSTRONAUT DIARY by Spain’s Manuel Huerga.

This year’s hopefuls include Argentine director Daniel Burman (whose latest film EMPTY NEXT closes the Festival later this evening) with his latest project ALELUYA, about a divorced Argentine man who unexpectedly finds love in Montreal; producer Vania Catani from Brazil, with a project called DIRTY LOVE, the story of a female classical musician fighting a serious kidney condition, directed by Paulo Caldas; and Mexcian producer Pablo Cruz’ JEAN GENTIL, the story of a Haitian professor caught up in the drama of rural development in coastal Dominican Republic, co-directed by Laura Amelia Guzman and Israel Cardenas Ramirez.

Returning to Miami for the second year in a row, Colombian producer Diego Ramirez is representing IN COMA, about a Medellin street thug whose life is transformed by the love of a good woman, to be directed by Henry Rivero and Juan David Respero. THE LIFE OF FISH by acclaimed Chilean director Matias Bize (IN BED) is the story of a redemption and renewal as a Chilean expatriot returns to his small town after spending more than a decade living in Europe. Brazilian producer Jao Vieira is in Miami to promote A MAN OF THE CROWD, the contemporary story of a train driver’s solitude and isolation, to be directed by Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimaraes.

For the first time, an American production is being represented in the program. THE LINE by Florida’s own Eduardo Sanchez is the story of two brothers on opposites sides of the US/Mexican border. The film is being repped here in Miami by Robin Cowie, who along with director Sanchez, created the indie sensation THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT in 1999 with the Orlando-based Haxan Films.

In a difficult economic environment, the key element for producers is to create lasting relationships with potential partners. Through this initiative and the MIFF Abroad program which will bring a number of American producers and professionals to Uruguay later this year, the Miami International Film Festival is providing a key service in the development of projects and networking reationships that will continue into the future.

Sandy Mandelberger, Miami FF Spotlight Editor