The Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) announced today that its third edition will take place June 22-28, 2012. Initial details surrounding the 2012 Film Festival were unveiled today at a press conference by AIFF Founder and executive producer Jonathan Vieira.

Centered in the island's beautiful Palm Beach district at the Paseo Herencia Entertainment Center, the 3rd Aruba International Film Festival aims to further its tradition of attracting prodigious films and stars and providing the most intimate and pleasurable setting for festival goers. The first two editions of the festival collectively offered over 50 films from over 25 different countries and played host to an array of high profile talent and film industry guests such as Richard Gere, Kim Cattrall, Jonathan Demme, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Guillermo Arriaga, Patricia Clarkson, Thelma Schoonmaker, Milcho Manchevski, Griffin Dunne, Rudy Rodriguez and Michael Kaplan, to name just a few.

"We have listened closely to the valuable feedback we received on the first two festivals and this has helped us learn, prepare and grow as an organization and given us a great blueprint to deliver what people want," said Vieira. "We are in great shape to stage a world class film festival, with a number of new and expanded attractions, thanks to the tremendous support from all of our partners, especially the government of Aruba and the worldwide filmmaking community that has discovered and embraced the festival." 

Distinguished writer, director and producer, Claudio Masenza - a revered member of the international film community for over 30 years (bringing with him years of experience as a member of the selection committees for the world renowned Venice Film Festival and Rome Film Festival) will continue to oversee programming for AIFF as the Festival's Artistic Director.

Complementing the selection of international films in the Festival program, AIFF will showcase movies from Aruban and Caribbean filmmakers through its popular "Caribbean Spotlight Series (CSS)," which falls under the festival's broader mission to encourage, educate and activate young Aruban filmmakers. Categories in the CSS series include "Docpourri", a new non-competitive series with documentary topics relevant to Aruban audiences, and The "Aruba Flavor" competition, which aims to spark local youth to consider filmmaking as a viable career choice. Once again, Festival patrons will be asked to select their favorite from the feature film category to determine the "AIFF CSS Audience Award."

AIFF has created new opportunities for hands-on learning and development through programs like the AIFF Film Lab, which includes a special workshop titled the 96 Hours Lab and the Festival's "In Conversation With..." series.

Special emphasis will be placed on educational and training programs offered through the 96 Hours Lab, with an additional advanced program for those who completed the class last year. The new advanced program will offer a more in-depth focus on directing and editing. Expert instructors in screenwriting and acting will be conducting separate classes alongside the production course. Students from each subject will be teamed together to produce their finished projects, which will be screened during a special session of the festival. 

AIFF's popular "In Conversation With..." series is an interactive platform where attendees engage in hosted question and answer sessions with actors and filmmakers who discuss a variety of topics including acting, directing, production, and various other aspects of the filmmaking process.

Social events that allow interaction among festival guests have always been a popular aspect of AIFF. This year, their appeal will be more so with the introduction of the new AIFF Concert Series. The first concert series headliner, unveiled today, will be international music superstar DJ/Artist/Producer Chuckie who will be performing a Saturday night concert with his world touring brand Dirty Dutch, featuring many international performing DJs. Said Vieira, "We view this event a as very special addition to the opening weekend of the Festival and consider Chuckie an ambassador to the Festival's weekend concert series."

Sponsored by the Aruban Government and generous donations from local businesses, the AIFF has welcomed over 50 foreign media outlets to the island over the last two years, sowing new seeds for the promotion of destination tourism. The 2012 edition of the festival aims to expand that market even further.

Actors, directors, producers, writers, industry executives and foreign media are once again invited to converge on the island this June to experience firsthand why AIFF is making a name for itself as a "must-attend" summer event. Local festival goers will be able to see a wide variety of films from around the world and experience an exciting, one-of-a-kind event that brings the best of global cinema to their home.

Tickets for AIFF 2012 will be available in a variety of price ranges, from a simple movie ticket to packages of multi-event attendance.

About the Aruba International Film Festival

The breathtaking Caribbean island of Aruba provides the backdrop for the film industry's newest marquee summer event - the Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF).

Now in its third year. AIFF stands to further global awareness for the Island of Aruba as a center of art, culture and creativity and serve as a platform to promote the understanding and appreciation for the art of cinema and filmmaking. The Festival remains dedicated to encouraging, educating and activating young Aruban filmmakers.

Its inviting atmosphere, suited like none other, attracts actors, directors, filmmakers, and film lovers to a destination where participants enjoy a relaxed Aruban ambiance and a casual interaction between filmmakers and audience.

For more information please visit the Aruba International Film Festival website at http://www.aiff.aw