AMAZONAS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Organised by the Amazonas State Government with the co-operation of the Department of Culture and the Amazonas Film Commission, and by Le Public Système, with the cultural backing of Guaraná Antártica and the Varig group (Air Transport and Hotels), the Amazonas International Film Festival, that will take place from november 13th to 21st, is based on a twin concept:
> Adventure (in the broadest sense), directly and irrevocably linked to every aspect of this legendary part of the world
> Nature and the Environment, through notions of discovery, knowledge and conservation.
In these conditions, the anchor points or “reasons why” for the event:
> follow from the history, geographical and economic reality, and current image of the Amazon region on a worldwide level
> correspond to both the present and future of this region and Brazil as a whole
> so are legitimate, exclusive and credible
> will not result in “just another” Festival or gathering of specialists, but a genuinely new experience that can only work in Manaus

Through the Festival, the state of Amazonas and the city of Manaus wish to:
> enhance the image and awareness of the city and the Amazon region on an international level
> attract professionals and demonstrate the region’s potential in terms of film locations
> make it the core of a powerful, original, recurring experience
“Cinema symbolises the development of the great cultural sector. For this reason among others, we have decided to launch the Amazonas International Film Festival, which will establish itself as an icon.
In addition, it will commit the State to the field of the arts and ensure the training of new generations, realising the full potential of their
talents. With this event, the government confirms its determination to use the transformation of these latent resources as efficiently as possible to encourage the economic, cultural and social development of the State
of Amazonas.”
Eduardo Braga
Governor of the State of Amazonas

FESTIVAL CONTENT

2 combined events will be held:
FEATURE FILMS
> Competition with an international jury and awards
> Non-competitive panorama
> Tribute to a great director or artist
> Tribute to the film industry of a given country (for its adventure-related productions)

ETHNOLOGICAL AND ETHOLOGICAL DOCUMENTARIES
> Documentary film competition with a jury and awards
> Panorama of work not entered in the competition
> Tribute to a director or producer

A D D I T I O N A L EVENTS
> The Amazonas Adventure Awards: presented to personalities who have made a major contribution in one of the Festival’s fields (individual adventure, written report, film or photo...)
> Forum, debates and discussions with the public, industry and media
> Workshops à l’intention des jeunes et des étudiants en cinéma
> Photos exhibits and photo reports. Presentation of works (books, albums) and public signing sessions...

Festive events such as:
- Gala evenings (opening and closing) at the Manaus Opera
- Public concerts on the beaches of the Rio Negro and on the site of the Hotel Tropical
- Visits to tourist attractions in Manaus and the surrounding area
- Dance shows with local folk companies.

THE FOUNDING PLAYERS

Jean-Pierre DUTILLEUX
Documentaries: Since 1974, 40 ethnographic, adventure and expedition films shot all over the world, including 12 in the Amazon region.
Cinema : 3 feature films, including “Amazon Forever” (2004) and “Raoni”, nominated for the 1978 Oscars in Los Angeles and winner of 6 awards, including Best Film at the 1978 Gramado Festival.
Photography : Dozens of expeditions in different countries.
Hundreds of photo stories publications.
Writing : 4 books published, including “Jungle Stories”, translated into 18 languages, and many film scenarios.
Humanitarian projects : Founder of 12 Rainforest Foundations worldwide, honorary president of the Forêt Vierge association, France and Belgium.
Organiser of the Sting and Raoni world tours in 1989, 2000 and 2001
Speaker at many international conferences: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Helsinki, Paris...
Director of feature and documentary films. An eminent, recognised ethnologist, he has dedicated several major works to the Amazon region. For 30 years, he has divided his time between Europe, the USA and Brazil.

Lionel CHOUCHAN
Creator and organiser of great film festivals in France and abroad.
Chair of France’s No.1 event communication group (Le Public Système), which is based in Paris, but works for many multinational companies and co-ordinates worldwide operations
(Microsoft, Sony, Renault, Alcatel, Vivendi, Peugeot, Gaumont Buena Vista, Columbia Pictures, Warner Cartoons).
Avoriaz Fantasy Film Festival, 1973-1993
Fantastic’Arts in Gerardmer (Vosges) for 11 years
Deauville Asian Film Festival since 2003
Cognac Detective Film Festival since 1982
Deauville American Film Festival since 1975
Yubari Film Festival (Hokkaido Island, Japan) since 1989
Tokyo Fanta – fantasy section of the Tokyo International Festival – since 1988
Morioka Detective Film Festival since 1997
Writer (fifteen or so publications: novels, pamphlets, guides).
Formerly a television producer (France 2, La 5).