• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 02 / 06 / 2011

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2011.02.04 - 18:15:38 / radiorebelde.Havana, Cuba.- Works from 27 countries will compete in the 12th edition of the Santiago Alvarez in Memoriam International Documentary Festival, to be held in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba from March 7th through the 12th.

In a news conference, Lazara Herrera, president of the event, pointed out that Venezuela will be the guest country and that the meting will be attended by creators from Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Qatar, the United States and France.

A tribute to the Cuban filmmaker, who was a model of artistic creativity and commitment with the fairest causes, the meeting is aimed at promoting productions tackling the most important contemporary issues and reflecting the role of documentary cinema nowadays.

Herrera referred to the social, historic and cultural nature of the festival, which imposes quality and rigor in the selection of works, of which the fact that only less than half of the record figure of 143 documentaries received made it to the finals is an example.

The jury composed of personalities from the world of cinema and culture in general, will grant three grand prizes, as well as others in the specialties of direction, script, editing, photography and sound design.

Teresa Herrera, coordinator of the event, also highlighted the project called Documentary Spring, in which children and youngsters from the San Pedrito neighborhood in Santiago will participate, aimed at encouraging their creativity and vocation for audiovisuals.

He added that they have become the heart of the Festival and aspire to be future documentary makers of the Caribbean island.

Sponsored by the Santiago Alvarez office of the Cuban Film Institute, the meeting will also include screenings of non-competitive materials, round tables and lectures.(ACN)