The Film Festival takes place at the Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton) in Downtown Toronto from April 2-6, 2008.
 The 8th annual ReelWorld Film Festival is here and we are proud to bring you a stellar line-up of Canadian and World premieres. The Opening Night Gala Screening, SPINNING INTO BUTTER, is a fascinating exposition of the psychoses surrounding race in American communities. From Director Mark Brokaw, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Mykelti Williamson. The Closing Night Gala Screening is South Asian Film, Apna Asmaan is very touching tale, inspired by Kaushik Roy's own son Orko and their journey as a family. Shobana and Irrfan Khan’s performances, bring an unparalleled humanity to this incredible story.
SORTEO
Participa en el sorteo de 3 pases dobles (1 pase doble por película) para Reel Word Festival 2008. Ingresa tus datos a continuación para participar.
Sorteo 31 de Marzo de 2008
Los ganadores del sorteo son:
» Marisol Fiallo
» Manuel Araujo-Vega
» Frey Granados
On March 20th the ReelWorld Film Festival announced its program for the 2008 ReelWorld Film Festival during a press conference hosted at The Cineplex Odeon Carlton Cinemas located at 20 Carlton Street. This year’s programming promises to be enriching, entertaining, and thought provoking.
The 2008 line-up includes: 55 films from 14 countries including 8 world premieres, 9 international Premieres, 22 Canadian premieres.
ReelWorld Film Festival and Foundation is Canada’s premiere non-profit organization that is dedicated to showcasing cultural diversity in film and video. Founded by Actress, Producer, Director Tonya Lee Williams, the 8th annual ReelWorld Film takes place at the Carlton Cinemas (20 Carlton) in Downtown Toronto from April 2-6, 2008.
Here is the link where people can go and buy tickets:
www.reelworld.ca/_bin/festival/boxOffice.cfm
Below are the 3 Latin Films with synopses
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AMERICAN VISA
Screening(s): Fri, April 4th, 2008 9:00 pm - Cineplex Odeon Carlton Theatre 8 |
American Visa is an adaptation of a popular Bolivian novel shot entirely in Bolivia with two great Mexican stars in the leading roles. It is the second feature film directed by Bolivian director Juan Carlos Valdivia. American Visa is a simple, honest and earthy film. Mario Alvarez (Damian Bichir), is a Bolivian teacher who tries to reunite with his son in Miami and start a new life. But in post-9/11 Bolivia it is almost impossible to get an American visa. Desperate, Mario looks for any means to get an entry visa in the US and decides to plan a robbery. But what ia Mario really looking for: the common dream of the people in the third world wanting to live in America? Or peace? Blanca (Kate Del Castillo) a nightclub dancer, full of life and dreams opens a new door and offers him to join her on a new journey: the Bolivian Dream.
Strong dialogue and contemporary visuals, plus refreshing and convincing performances by the Mexican actors Demián Bichir and Kate del Castillo make this co- production (Bolivia- Mexico) a riveting film.
American Visa was nominated for the Spanish Academy Awards (Goya)
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 Director's Bio
Bolivian-Mexican, director-screenwriter. Born in La Paz, Bolivia. Studied film at Columbia Collage, Chicago. In 1993 he won a 100,000 U$ prize from the Foundation of New Latin American Cinema for his screenplay for JONAH AND THE PINK WHALE, which he directed in 1994 in co-production with Mexico. The film was a huge success in Bolivia and it was released in several countries. It won best first feature in Cartagena and best photography in La Havana.
He also directed the Mexican feature, THE LAST GOSPEL, currently in post production. American Visa is his third feature. Shot in Bolivia, it was released wide in its co-producing countries: Mexico and Bolivia, where it has become the most popular film in years. It won an Ariel for best adapted screenplay from the Mexican Academy.
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MIDNIGHT BALLADS
Sat, April 5th, 2008 2:00 pm Cineplex Odeon Carlton Theatre 8 |
Midnight Ballads plunges into the reality of five hard-working Latino immigrants living in Montreal. Mauser is new on the job after having recently escaped political persecution by Mexican police. Marco is a flamboyant Colombian cook. He is now on welfare, struggling with chronic illness and a twisted case of sexual discrimination at work. Elizabeth is a sociologist and daughter of Portuguese immigrants, who became a union recruiter to inform her fellow workers of their rights. Then there is Remberto, a joyful percussionist and single parent of three teenage girls. He loves the flexible schedule of the job, which allows him to play in his band and take care of his daughters. And finally, Sergio who works the night shift, but by day his job is more unearthly. He is an evangelical pastor in a church he co-founded with his wife, and describes himself as a “television station” that communicates God's message to the marginalized Latino community.
With his documentary, Diego Briseno-Orduz allows us to peer into the lives and impassioned stories of each of these individuals and discover a rarely seen Latino subculture in Canada. |
 Director's Bio
Diego is a Colombian-born director, editor and producer based in Montreal. Since 1996 he has been a very active film and video editor of both documentary and fiction. In 2000 he directed, produced and edited A Saddletree, an intimate portrayal of his grandfather. The film won Best Documentary at the Arrowhead International Film Festival (California). He then wrote and directed Things Never Said in Playa Perdida, a 25-minute short fiction. This film played at many international festivals and won Best Short at the Festivalissimo Latino Film Festival of Montreal. In 2003, he produced and edited Yanick Létourneau’s award winning Chronique Urbaine. Then, in 2005, Diego released Souvenir Kids, an ambitious feature-length documentary about street kids who are sexually exploited by foreign tourists in Acapulco. The film was broadcasted on CBC Newsworld, Radio-Canada and TVE (Spain), and participated at many festival and events. Diego has just release a new documentary, Midnight Ballads, an intimate look at the universe of immigrant late night janitors in Montreal, and is currently working on new fiction and non-fiction ventures.
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COYOTE
Screening(s): Sat, April 5th, 2008 4:00 pm Cineplex Odeon Carlton Theatre8 |
“There’s a line you cross” and in this surprising film that line is the US border. Inspired by a true story about how a housekeeper and her children were able to re-enter America following deportation, Brian Peterson and Brett Spackman, set about creating a most unlikely comedic tale.
After their friend is deported to Mexico, two young Americans decide to smuggle him back across the border, a single event that quickly escalates into a lucrative, full-time business venture that becomes more complicated than they ever realized possible. Corruption and greed lead the men down a path of brutal destruction and despair. Figuring they can make a couple thousands dollars by sneaking Mexicans into America, Steve and J begin a lucrative operation as suburban smugglers, offering immigrant-hopefuls three beneficial “travel packages” that guarantee to help refugees get into the United States, live with forgotten family members, and find a decent job. They navigate their way through the lavish lives of suburban human smugglers with unexpected humor and stylish cinematography. Things take an unexpected turn when J is ambushed by Sr. Juarez (Oswaldo Hernandez), a top-ranking coyote of the Juarez Cartel. The pitfalls that ensue when dealing with these brutally ruthless “coyotes” leads to a shocking conclusion that caused the entire theatre to gasp and wince simultaneously.
Sophomore director/actor/co-screenwriter Brian Petersen radiates with talent both in front of the camera and behind it, sharing that savvy with fellow filmmaker Brett Spackman who dazzles as the likable J. Cinematographer Robb Hunt manages to turn their vision into titillating eye candy. And, the talented Carley Adams, as the Steve’s Pollyanna fiancé Katie delivers a star-making performance. This unlikely journey takes the viewers on one heck of a ride… with no borders.
Bearfest - Big Bear Lake International Film Festival 2007
Jury Award Best Feature
San Diego Film Festival 2007
Audience Award-Best Feature
Festival Award- Best Actor |
 Director's Bio
Brian Petersen (Writer/Director)
Born and raised in the Bay Area of northern California, Brian Petersen graduated from the film program of BYU in 2000. Petersen went onto work as an Assistant Director for the indie-hit Napoleon Dynamite, a film in which he also has a small acting role ("Lance"). After the success of Napoleon Dynamite, Petersen went on to write and direct his first feature film, Think Tank. Now living in Los Angeles, Petersen recently started up Side Street Productions, a small indie production company with long-time friend Brett Spackman. In addition to directing, Brian has also had roles in various commercials and the MTV Show Sportsblender.
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