BeFilm's New Festival For Industry Insiders

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Parent Category: Film Festivals

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 23 October 2014 19:22

Written by Brad Balfour

BE FILM International Features Festival is a new film festival wholly designed to showcase an international mix of productions seeking US distribution.  The Festival will feature films from around the world, and, for its inaugural launch, will put an emphasis on Argentinian cinema.  

The festival runs for three days — Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, 2014 — with screenings at the 500 Park Avenue Screening Room (59th Street and Park Av). Targeted to American publicists and major distributors, only industry professionals are allowed into this highly focused event; not being open to the general public, there will be no ticket sales.  

Said Executive Director Laurence Asseraf, “We’re trying to bring to this professional, in an intimate, relaxed setting, certain foreign films that might have escaped the eyes of US distributors while on their tour of the major festivals abroad.”

Asseraf has selected 10 independent feature films from abroad looking for US distribution. Known for her keen eye in choosing short films which have gained Academy Award recognition over the past years, this event gives filmmakers a “home” to screen their films, as well as an opportunity to chat with industry executives about their project. The setting gives these new filmmakers a comfortable and entertaining venue in which to make their American debut.  

The Argentinian Consulate supports this initiative and is participating in the promotion of Argentinian cinema; it will help sponsor the opening night with some Argentinian wines as well as other Argentinian products.

BEFILMIFF premiere showings include these Argentinian films:

• Muerte En Buenos Aires (Directed by Natalia Meta)
  Starring Monica Antonopulos, Hugo Arana, Demian Bichir, and Chino Darin.
  This mystery-drama set in 1980s Buenos Aires follows Detective Chavez, a family man and a tough cop who is up against another mysterious crime — this time with more than usual passion. 
  
  
• Vino Para Robar / To Fool A Thief (Directed by Ariel Winograd)
  Starring Daniel Hendler, Valeria Bertuccelli and Pablo Rago
  In this comedy, a precious antique bottle of wine is the target of thieves involving hotels, wineries, vineyards, and a bank vault.
  
  
• Pensé Que Iba a Haber Fiesta (Directed by Victoria Galardi)
  Starring Valeria Bertuccelli and Elena Anaya
  A woman begins an affair with her best friend's ex-husband while looking after her house and daughter. It’s a film about the search for love, friendship, loneliness, fear, guilt and the world of women.
  
  
• Choele (Directed by Juan Sasiain)
  Starring Leonardo Sbaraglia
  In this student film, Coco is an 11-year-old boy spending a few summer days with his father in the hope of getting his parents back together. He meets the woman living with his father and falls in love with her, turning his father into a competitor.
  
  
• Cosano: La vida secreta de un vestido (Directed by Diego & Pablo Levy)
  Starring Viviana Battan, Olga Benitez and Mónica Bruno
  In this documentary, Claudio Cosano, also known as the “Argentine Versace”, opens the doors of his studio, and talks about his work amidst his clients and models.
  
  
• The Rise of Hope (Directed by Brian Maya)
  A documentary on Pope Francis who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina and this effort is dedicated to exploring the new Pope’s roots.

The festival includes other films from around the world and features entries of France, Italy, and Greece:

• Les Rayures du Zebre / Scouting for Zebras
• Oro Verde
• Sto Spiti (At Home)
• Travelling In (to) Fluxus 

Sponsors of BEFILMIFF include: Thierry Mugler, Champage Taittinger, Les Sucreries de Melodie, Pravda Vodka, and Guittard Chocolates.

For more information go to: befilmiff.net

BE FILM International Features Festival 

500 Park Avenue Screening Room
500 Park Avenue Building
New York, NY 10022