Miami International Film Festival Announces Line-Up for the 33rd Edition

This morning the Miami International Film Festival announced the line-up for their 33rd edition, which is to take place on March 4-13, 2016. Featuring 129 films, the line-up includes numerous important premieres, with 12 World Premieres, 16 North American Premieres, and 13 U.S. premieres, all debuting in Miami. As previously announced, the Festival will open with Alex de la Iglesia’s “My Big Night” at the historic Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami, with Spanish superstar Raphael in attendance. And now the Closing Night film has been revealed: the U.S. Premiere of Canadian filmmaker Andrew Currie’s “The Steps,” which is a riotous comedy about what happens when two already fraught families are forced to merge into one big dysfunctional clan, and stars James Brolin, Christine Lahti and Emmanuelle Chriqri. The closing night screening will be followed by a wonderful party at the newly-announced One Brickell property just around the corner from the Olympia Theater.

New to this year’s Festival is the Marquee Series, which is dedicated to on-stage conversations between major film personalities as they discuss their new work. One of the major highlights of this new series includes a conversation between Italian screen icon Monica Bellucci and filmmaker Guy Edoin as they discuss their new film “Ville-Marie,” which will screen after the conversation. Other film talent receiving tributes during the Marquee Series include Goya winner Iciar Bollaín and Academy Award winners Gavin Hood and Deepa Mehta.

Other notable titles include the star-studded indie comedy “Maggie’s Plan,” starring Ethan Hawke, Julianne Moore and Greta Gerwig; critically acclaimed Chinese drama “Mountains May Depart;” and Yorgos Lanthimos’s “The Lobster,” which premiered at Cannes in 2015 and stars Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly. “The Lobster” tells the story of a future society where people must find a romantic partner within an allotted amount of time or face the rest of their life as an animal of their own choosing.

One of the most anticipated documentaries of the Festival is “Weiner,” which premiered at Sundance last month and took home U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize. “Weiner” follows disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner as he attempts to mount a political comeback by running for Mayor of New York City. But just as his campaign is getting started, a fresh sex scandal spirals out of control for Weiner and his wife Huma Abedin — one of Hillary Clinton’s top aides – as we watch the political couple endure a tabloid feeding frenzy and go into crisis management mode.

For foodies, Lee Brian Schrager’s Culinary Cinema Series returns to the Festival for the 4th year, with 4 film and culinary pairings that make for the perfect night out. Katsuya, EDGE Steak & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Zak the Baker, and Piripi Miami at The Shops at Merrick Park are the participating restaurants. Premiere sponsor Frederick Wildman & Sons will pair its wines with the four meals during the Festival.

Other Festival categories include the Soiree Series, which pairs an entertaining film with a fabulous social experience. Hany Abu-Assad’s “The Idol” will be paired with the Festival’s annual party at the Standard Hotel called The Standard Affair, and Matteo Garrone’s anticipated Italian film “Tale of Tales” will be paired with the delectable Desserts & Directors party at The Temple House on Miami Beach.

Click here for the complete line-up. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 12th.

For membership opportunities or more information about Miami International Film Festival, please visit www.MiamiFilmFestival.com or call 305-237-FILM (3456).