6^th ANNUAL EVOLUTION MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, set in the heart of Mallorca’s buzzing and culturally rich center of Palma, has announced its line-up of screenings and events for the festival’s 6th edition. The nine-day festival will take place, October 26^th – November 4^th, 2017, and includes an in-person Gala tribute to legendary filmmaker Paul Haggis, a Gala Opening Night event, narrative and documentary competition sections, a Drive in Cinema section at Port Adriano, an extended Kids section co-curated by the Andorra Kids Film Festival, a Virtual Reality presentation by TheVrand, and industry panels and seminars featuring elite international industry experts.

EMIFF will present 12 films in Narrative feature and 8 films in Documentary feature Competition, 30 international short films, a special Music Video section curated in partnership with The Los Angeles Music Video Festival, as well as additional nightly events and special screenings. Special events include the Opening Night Gala Screening of The Song of Sway Lake, produced by Ari Gold Films. Centerpiece Gala will be the ‘Evolution Vision’ Award Presentation to iconic filmmaker Paul Haggis, with a screening of his award-winning film Crash. Other Gala events include: Spotlight Gala Screening of acclaimed narrative film The Big Sick, a Closing Night Gala Screening of Thelma (the official Oscar submission by Norway for best foreign-language film) and an Awards Gala at Mercado Gastronómico San Juan.

Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) is one of the fastest growing and exciting film festivals in the Mediterranean. An excellent hub for networking with some of the brightest minds in filmmaking, EMIFF is as intimate and invigorating as it is breathtakingly gorgeous.

Filmmakers and industry professionals visit this island paradise to discover "the next great generation of filmmakers" The festival presents a diverse selection from world premieres to film festival favorites, short film screenings, Q&As, a Drive-In Cinema section at the Philip Stark designed Port Adriano, an Art & Cine event at the modern museum of contemporary art Es Baluard, and a Virtual Reality zone presented by VRand.

Said EMIFF Founder and Executive Director Sandra Seeling Lipski, “EMIFF is more than a film festival; it provides a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, focusing on showcasing a diverse collection of both local and international independent films. The Festival supports the creation and advancement of innovative and artistic cinematic works from both emerging and seasoned filmmakers, and proudly embraces the passion, vision, and independent spirit of these talented artists. Alongside our partnerships with the local community and educational institutions, the Festival stimulates an interest in the study and appreciation of film and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. The focus of our programming changes each year to reflect current trends in world cinema, culture and politics. This year, we showcase films that promote our mission to Bridging Cultures - Bridging People.”

“I am particularly excited for our Evolution Vision Award recipient; three time Academy Award winner, writer/director Paul Haggis. The Evolution Vision award honors a filmmaker that has shown resilience in the film industry and has, time after time, proven his talent with excellent creations as a writer, director or actor. Paul is an incredible inspiration for the next generation of filmmakers,” said Lipski.

About Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival

Now in it’s sixth year, EMIFF attracts over 4000 attendees from over 24 countries worldwide. In 2017, EMIFF will continue to expand the presence of international filmmakers and strengthen its position within the worldwide film festival calendar. Since it’s 2012 inception, the number of films screened has tripled, counting over 80 movies from 25 countries during the 2016 festival program.

Previous guest filmmakers, talent, and industry attendees include: Danny DeVito, Oscar Jaenada, Emma Suarez, Manuella Velles, Marc Clotet, Ana de Armas, Colm Meany, Benito Zambrano, Feo Aladag, Ronald Souse Richter, Lilith Stangenberg, and Claudia Eisinger.

EMIFF is extremely grateful for the incredible support of: 2017 EMIFF Diamond Sponsors Premier FX. Gold Sponsor First Mallorca. Additional collaborators include ATB Mallorca, Sponsored by Rialto Living, with the support of Port Adriano, Es Baluard Museum, Mercedes Auto Vidal, Consell de Mallorca, InfoMallorca, Islas Baleares Film Commission, Illenc, Teatre Principal and Ajuntamiento de Palma among others.

Festival passes and individual tickets are available now.

Additional Information about Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival is available at www.evolutionfilmfestival.com

Connect with Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival:

https://www.facebook.com/EvolutionFilmFestival/

Twitter: @EvolutionIFF

Instagram: evolutionmallorcafilmfestival

For press use only, festival stills can be downloaded here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B1z30oOM5-sALXNZcTFWQi10c28

Photos of Evolution Award Honoree Paul Haggis:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BzSrPUhCCkK4Y1VsU2E1Y3dGN00

All screenings and events will take place in Palma de Mallorca, at venues including the Teatro Principal, Cineciutat, Rialto Living, Port Adriano, Musuem Es Baluard, The Vrand Garage VR space and Mercado San Juan.

Festival Awards will be awarded on November 4^th by internationally esteemed jurors in the following categories: Feature film – Best feature film, Best Actress, Best Actor.  Short Film – Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Feature and Short Documentary, best Music Video, Best Experimental short, Best feature film Screenplay, Festival Awards –, Best Film Made in Baleares short, Evolution Island Award (best feature film made in Baleares) and the Evolutionary award (best new filmmaker).

The EMIFF award is designed by internationally acclaimed artist GUSTAVO.

GALA AND COMPETITION SLATE BELOW:

OPENING NIGHT FILM

The Song of Sway Lake, Director: Ari Gold (US) Spanish Premiere.

A young jazz collector plots to rob his wealthy grandmother of a rare 78 record, but his plan is derailed when his accomplice falls for the glamorous matriarch. “The Song of Sway Lake” is a lush romantic drama about the vanished grace of America, and the spell cast by the melodies of the dead. 

Filmmakers and talent will be in attendance (subject to availability)

SPOTLIGHT GALA SCREENING

Barrage, Director: Laura Schroeder (France)

After ten years abroad, Catherine (Lolita Chammah) returns to Luxembourg to catch up with her daughter Alba, brought up by Catherine's mother Elisabeth (Isabelle Huppert). She then kidnaps Alba and takes her on a trip to a lake up North.

CENTERPIECE GALA TRIBUTE & SCREENING - HONORING PAUL HAGGIS

‘Evolution Vision’ Award Presentation to iconic filmmaker Paul Haggis, with a screening of his Academy Award winning film Crash, 2006.

Paul Haggis is the first screenwriter to write two Best Film Oscar winners back-to-back: "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash" (2005) which he himself directed.  For "Crash," Haggis won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The film also received an additional four nominations including one for Haggis' direction. "Crash" reaped numerous awards during its year of release from associations such as the IFP Spirit Awards, the Screen Actors Guild, and BAFTA.
Paul Haggis will be in attendance

CLOSING NIGHT GALA SCREENING & AWARDS PARTY

Thelma, Director: Joachim Trier (Norway)

A woman begins to fall in love, only to discover that she has fantastic powers.

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

The Big Sick: Director Michael Showalter (US)

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings.

Strassenkeiser: Director Florian Peters (Germany)

Berlin intoxicated by the summer Carnival. In the middle of it is Noah, a 12 year old lost boy, who is supposed to meet his father. Instead Noah chooses to spend his time with small-time crook Samuel, he experiences the journey of his Life. A Roadmovie through the streets of Berlin.

Noctem: Director Marcos Cabotá (Spain)

Two friends disappear while in Mexico, a year later, friends find their phones, which are full of recordings, which they use to find out what happened to them.

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

Even Lovers Get the Blues: Director Laurent Micheli (France)

Ana is sleeping with Hugo, Dalhia with Graciano, Léo with Louis, and Arthur with everyone. Parties and love affairs lead to heart searching, deep desires and the craving to live life to the full. Even Lovers Get the Blues draws the portrait of the love and sexual lives of disenchanted and passionate young people.

En Acabar: Director Guillem Miro (Spain)

An idealist young man cheats on two friends of childhood and his ex allota to accompany him in search of the best verbena de Mallorca when he is actually looking for a candy that left him in love.

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

Reevolution: David Sousa Moreau (Spain)

The most sensational 'media crime' investigation of history has started. In Reevolution, the flashbacks and the interrogatories weave, challenging the audience to rebuild the story of four suspects accused of having freed humanity.

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

Dark Blue Girl: Director Mascha Schilinski, (Germany)

When Jimmy and Hannah finally find a buyer for their holiday home on the Greek volcano island Santorini, the ex-couple returns to the place where they broke up two years ago.

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

House of Norway: Director Jan Vardøen (Norway)

A Persian refugee comes to Norway seeking asylum, and winds up at a quirky, secluded academy where he must pass a series of tests in order to stay.

Director will be in attendance

Antenna: Director Arik Rothstein (Israel)

Eighty four-year-old Yehoshua discovers a cellular antenna on his roof. He believes that all his ailments are caused by the radiation from the antenna, and his feelings escalate into an obsession. His wife and three grown sons are unwillingly swept into this battle in this film comedy.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION

Ladies First: Director Uraaz Bahl (India)

The inspirational story of Deepika Kumari who, as a girl born on the road to impoverished parents in rural India, went in search of food, stumbled upon archery, and within four years became the number 1 archer in the world. 

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

Shiners: Director Stacy Tenenbaum (US)

Shiners delves into the lives of shoe shiners around the world giving you an insider’s view of this often overlooked profession. Travel from Tokyo to La Paz, New York, Toronto and Sarajevo, to meet the men and women who make their living cleaning our shoes.

Director will be in attendance

A Year with Betty Gold: Director J McMerty (US)

Betty Gold is about to turn 80 with no plans on retiring. From her early days as Miss. Texas to installing large scale sculptures around the world, some things have not changed; her tenacity, humor and philosophy of yes. A Year with Betty Gold follows this abstract California artist as she shares her insights on love and life while pulling back the curtain on the struggles of a contemporary artist.

Cast and Crew will be in attendance

Grab and Run: Director Roser Corella (Germany | Spain | Kyrgyzstan)

Since Kyrgyzstan gained its Independence in 1991, there has been a revival of the ancient practice of Ala-Kachuu, which translates roughly as “grab and run”. More than half Kyrgyz women are married after being kidnapped by the men who become their husbands.

The Vienna Philharmonic – Beyond Music!: Co Merz (Austria)

The Vienna Philharmonic has been considered as one of the best orchestras in the world. With a long tradition in mind, the musicians reflect on the role of their orchestra in the 21st century. In a modern world in which so many traditions are fading,

Director will be in attendance

Resistance is Life: Director Apo W. Bazidi (Turkey | United States | Syria)

Eight-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of Kobane's resistance against ISIS forces through her experience in a refugee camp on the Turkish-Syrian border.

Surviving Peace: Director Josef Avesar (Isarel, | United States)

Picking up where 'The Gatekeepers' left off, the documentary 'Surviving Peace' examines why the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has stalled for sixty seven years, even to the present, with the failure of the Kerry talks leaving two state solution now 'dead in the water.' Then this film examines what until now has been an unexplored solution- confederation

Life And Death Of An Architekt: Director Miquel Eek, (Spain)

Ferragut was an architect eclectic and original, a maverick who faced injustice rooted in politics, bureaucracy and business men impatient for dealing operations in the territory. Ferragut was an illustrated man, spiritual restless, and a passionate for culture: visionary filmmaker, music lover and gay in a society bitterly cruel with homosexuality that was used by muddying his image and his death.

Director will be in attendance