The ARUBA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is Aruba’s largest film event of the year, with this edition highlighting over 60 feature and short films.

Another Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) has come to an end on the One Happy Island. The fifth annual festival was held from October 7-11 on the exotic Caribbean island of Aruba. Sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority, this world-class event was honored to host international and regional premieres of feature-length and short films from around the world, special tributes, master classes, panel discussions, and more.

This year the festival was privileged to host the international premieres of Tyrese Gibson’s SHAME, Zachary Sluser’s THE DRIFTLESS AREA, and Eli Roth’s KNOCK KNOCK, as well as the latest screenings of Paz Fábrega’s VIAJE and the acclaimed horror film THE FINAL GIRLS.

The juries, headed by Oscar nominee Virginia Madsen and noted film journalist Kevin Lally, presented awards to films in the following categories:

Best International Feature – EEN DAG IN ‘T JAAR/12 MONTHS IN 1 DAY (Netherlands): Coping with the loss of their brother, old friend and first love, three friends delay time: while they experience their continuous walk to last only 24 hours, in fact an entire year passes.

Best Feature Documentary – WAR OF LIES (Germany): Was Rafed Aljanabi really able to walk over the world ìs most powerful intelligent agencies? And how exactly did his lies become a convenient truth?

Best International Short – CUERDAS/STRINGS (Spain): Mariìa’s routine at school is altered by the arrival of a very special child. Soon, they become close friends.

Best Caribbean Spotlight Series Film – DEAL WITH IT (Netherlands/Aruba): In this intimate family portrait, we enter the chaotic and colorful world of Shamira’s father Pempy, a drug dealing addict, and her brother Andy, who’s following in his father’s footsteps. They both counter their seemingly desperate lives with lots of resilience and humor.

Best Aruba Flavor Film – ALTO VISTA (Aruba) Souls trapped in the moment, searching for love, satisfaction and forgiveness. Alto Vista is a place that not only unites a family but also divides them, repeating their past and reflecting their future.

The film DEAL WITH IT added to its awards tally, by also winning the Audience Award for Best Caribbean Spotlight Series Film. The local short THE PACKAGE walked away with the Audience Award for Best Aruba Flavor Film.

Special jury mentions were given to the following films:

SIN ALAS/WITHOUT WINGS (USA/Cuba): Sin Alas follows the tumultuous life and love of Cuban writer Luis Vargas as he chooses the excitement and possibilities of the revolution over the wealth of his dysfunctional family.

THE GLAMOUR & THE SQUALOR (USA): Marco Collins was the on and off switch for an artist’s potential career and was the gatekeeper credited for helping break the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beck, Weezer and countless others.

POT V RAJ/SAILING TO PARADISE (Slovenia): A young man struggling with the death of his parents meets an extroverted girl who joins him on his sailing trip.

SOUCOUYANT (St. Lucia): In the small Caribbean island of St. Lucia lives an ancient spirit. Soucouyant, as she is known, cannot be contained, captured or killed.

The awards ceremony took place on October 10, 2015 at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.

About the Aruba International Film Festival: Sponsored by the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) is one of the international film community’s essential stops on the Caribbean and South American film festival circuit. The festival serves to not only develop an understanding and appreciation of the art of cinema and filmmaking, but also to inspire, educate and promote emerging local and regional filmmaking talent.

The fifth edition of the AIFF promises to once again feature a fine selection of international narrative, documentary, and short films from every corner of the globe, while offering its guests in-depth panel discussions and master classes, and rare “In Conversation With” sessions with top industry professionals.

The festival creates an environment where local and Caribbean filmmakers can learn from and network with one another, while gaining a truly unique and exclusive festival experience. The AIFF’s popular Caribbean Spotlight Series and Aruba Flavor competitions have drawn some of the finest regional films to Aruba, and continue to provide a platform for local filmmakers to feature their latest works. Films that have premiered in these categories, such as Abo So (Aruba), Boys of Summer (Curaçao), Children of the Wind (Bonaire), and Peace: Memories of Anton de Kom (Netherlands/Suriname) have gone on to award-winning, international festival runs in the Caribbean, USA, Canada, Europe, and South America.