The Panama International Film Festival (PIFF) concluded this past week, marking the end of the third year for the event, which some say was the best yet. Films from all over Latin America, as well as a variety of local films, were screened over the course of a week to an international audience at a variety of venues here in Panama City. The festival was funded by both private and government contributions, and is considered the leading festival of its kind in the region.
This was an opportunity to showcase the arts in a region that’s not well known for its films. The festival has become the premier film event in Central America, and in its brief existence, helped to expand investment and international interest in producing Central American films. It is also a way to attract larger film companies to buy independent film rights, boosting distribution to include a larger, more global audience.
According to an interview with Variety Magazine, the festival’s organizer, Pituka Ortega Heilbron said “We believe there is not only an interest in Central American and Caribbean stories. It’s a cinema that has not been much out there, but there are extraordinary filmmakers coming out of this region and these countries have great stories to tell.” She continued by saying “We want to be the Central American film festival, not because we think we’re great but because we have as a country we have that responsibility: This region needs the push and Panama can and should be the platform.”
While the majority of the films presented were in Spanish, there was a strong contingency of English-language films as well, including Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive. In total, there were 73 films screened at this year’s festival, represented in various categories, including Documentaries, International Showcase, and Ibero-American Feature Debuts.
What’s in store for the future?
After this year’s breakout event, festival organizers have even bigger plans for 2015 and beyond. The most interesting plan for 2015 will be a “Works in Progress” showcase, where filmmakers can show their films before they’re completed in post-production. This is a relatively new concept, and will give the audience a unique look at the filmmaking process, so they can greater appreciate the work that goes into each picture.
Festival organizers are also looking to increase funding, and therefore expand their reach into the market. This past year, the PIFF raised $2.3 million for the event, with $1 million coming from a government grant. They are also planning on expanding the MEETS Latin American Film Market, which held its inaugural event during the festival. MEETS is a project that brings together producers to compete for funding, showcasing their works in progress, with the prize being a $25,000 grant. In 2015, they will expand this to include 18 more entries than the previous year, bringing the total to 70 films overall.
Projects like the Panama International Film Festival are just one aspect of the growing international recognition of culture and art in the region. As Panama increases its presence on the international radar, it’s important that they showcase their culture creatively, and on a grand scale. As far as independent films go, the future looks very bright for this fledgling festival, its organizers, and the local industry.
