Viva, the applauded film of the Irish director Paddy Breathnach, was shot in Havana with Cuban actors Luis Alberto García, Jorge Perugorría and Héctor Medina. Viva will kickstart this year’s edition, which brings seventy five films to an audience that is expected to surpass the 30,000 mark.

Among the events that the International Film Festival of Panama brings for its fifth anniversary celebration are: educational and industry programs that cover more than twenty different activities between seminars, workshops, chats and panels, 14 red carpets along with three nights of free outdoors screenings and the presence of more than one hundred special guests; not to mention 75 of the best films the world has to offer. 

This Thursday, April 7th, there will be an inaugural press conference at 2:30 p.m. in American Trade Hotel’s Salon Viejo. The interview will be headed by the directors of IFF Panama, the President of IFF Panama Foundation, the Minister of Commerce and Industry (MICI), and the actors Luis Silva -protagonist of the movie From Afar, winner of the Golden Lion of Venice- and the talented Luis Alberto García, who heads the cast of Viva, which will open the festival.

At 1:00 p.m. that same day, world renowned documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán will begin a four-day Documentary Seminar that he will conduct for members of the cinematographic industry in the American Trade Hall. 
 

At 6:45 p.m.,the Red Carpet event of the IFF Panama's Opening Gala will start at Teatro Balboa, with international and national special guests attending. The Inaugural Ceremony starts at 8:00 p.m. and at 8:45 the screening of Vivawill commence.

The general public can acquire tickets for the screening of Viva and enjoy it together with the special guests of the International Film Festival of Panama at the magnificent Teatro Balboa, which has been turned into the MasterCard Screening room during the celebration of this festival.