More than 40 films from 15 countries will compete in the XVI Gibara International Film Festivalwhich will take place from August 2 to 6 in that town in eastern Cuba.
After a pause forced by the pandemic, and in the midst of difficult economic conditions on the Island, the event will return to Gibara in person with a program that includes film screenings, art exhibitions and theatrical performances, among other activities.
Sergio Benvenuto Solás, director of the event, explained at a press conference that on this occasion two international juries will be in session: one for fiction films, chaired by Cuban director Arturo Soto, and another for documentaries and animated films, led by the also Cuban Belkis Vega.
In addition, there will be a press jury and another made up of young people, while this time the one dedicated to cinema under construction will not be enabled, in accordance with the website Cubarte.
The 16th edition of the festival pays tribute to the late Nelson Rodríguez, one of the most important figures in film editing on the island, while the Lucía de Honor Award will go to notable actors Mario Balmaseda and Mario Limonta.
As for the theatrical billboard, it will have the leading role of the performing arts of Holguin, through groups such as the Folkloric Ensemble of that province, the Words to the wind group and the Codanza Company. They will be joined by the popular group El Portazo, from Matanzas, as well as well-known Cuban television actors such as Alicia Echevarría, Yeni Soria, Bárbaro Marín, Denis Ramos and Néstor Jiménez.
Created two decades ago by the great Cuban filmmaker Humberto Solás, to stimulate independent cinema, the festival has become one of the most important and long-awaited cultural events in the country. It is currently chaired by the renowned actor Jorge Perugorría, who is currently in Spain.
