5th Annual Havana Film Festival in New York
April 22 - 29, 2004

This year as we celebrated five years of success, the importance of programs like the Havana Film Festival in New York becomes more and more evident. As a project of the American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, it is not only a delight to showcase Cuban film from the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema but also to experience the products of other Latin American nations. Seeing the interaction between Cuba and these nations is priceless but not nearly as much as seeing our audience interact with our selections and guests. Venues in three boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx) help us spread our mission to a variety of citizens of these communities.

Tributes

During the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana in December 2003, Suite Habana garnered more than a dozen awards. Cuban filmmaker Fernando Perez, recipient of the prestigious Coral Prize for Best Film and Best Director was present at this year’s festival for the New York premiere of his critically acclaimed film. We celebrated his success by showcasing his other outstanding films Hello Hemingway, La Isla del Tesoro Azul, La Vida es Silibar, and Madagascar.

Our other featured honoree this year was Puerto Rico’s Jacobo Morales who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film for Lo Que Le Paso a Santiago. Morales, after a successful career in Hollywood, relocated to Puerto Rico to dedicate himself with persistence and tenacity to the creation of a national film identity. He has been nominated for and received numerous awards including the Coral Prize for Best Film for our featured screening, Dios Los Cria.

Special Programs

King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, NYU

Innovative Documentaries: Cuban Cinema Classics, a discussion with Dr. Ann Marie Stock, Hispanic Studies at the College of William and Mary followed by the screening of five documentaries. The program looks at Cuban progressive film and also at the broader revolutionary movement of Latin American cinema. Held at NYU’s King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center.

New Languages for Latin American Cinema, a panel discussion with our invited filmmakers about the cutting edge of different genres. Held at NYU’s King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center.