FILM Festival OF THE AMERICAS Launches IN Puerto Vallarta

In a inspiring tropical setting, steeped in a tradition of great filmmaking, the Pacific Mexican coastal city of Puerto Vallarta will host the 2004 Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas. To be celebrated November 6-14 in Puerto Vallarta, the annual festival will showcase contemporary full-length films and documentaries from across both American continents.

The breadth of programming allows for a wide range of North American independent and Latin American productions. Latin American and non-Latin American films will play together on an equal footing – in Puerto Vallarta, all films are world cinema.


The festival will enable filmmakers from across the Americas to learn from one another, in terms of storyline, cultural differences, new technologies and production techniques. The Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas (PVFFA)will provide a thoughtful basis and a platform for the cross-fertilization of these cinematic artists. Our goal is to create a uniquely cross-cultural annual living laboratory for all filmmakers and their ideas throughout the Americas.

In addition, there will be a retrospective of selected filmmakers. This year’s focus will be on the works of director Emilio Fernandez and cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, classic Mexican filmmakers and national legends, both of whom worked with Puerto Vallarta resident, the late director John Huston. In 1963, Huston directed The Night of the Iguana, which was responsible for putting Puerto Vallarta on the international tourist map. A tribute was held in his honor at the PVFFA inaugural event held in November 2003.

Nestled in the beautiful Bay of Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is blessed with 25 miles of pristine beaches and ocean views. Renowned for its world-class accommodations, entertainment and ideal weather, the city of Puerto Vallarta will provide festival-goers with an unparalleled vacation experience. Additionally, in keeping with the lush setting and natural balance of the Mexican Pacific coast, an important sidebar of films related with environmental concerns will be shown.

During the festival days, participating hotels will sponsor Talking Pictures. This celebration will bring together film students, film goers and filmmakers in a comfortable environment to discuss all aspects of the filmmaking process including sharing secrets of the trade.

At the closing awards ceremony on November 13, the following awards will be presented:


John Huston Maverick Awards – Best Film, Best Director
Richard Burton Thespian Awards – Best Actor, Best Actress
Gabriel Figueroa Award – Best Cinematography
Emilio Fernandez Award – Sponsored by Kodak. A short film for a promising young Mexican film student
Elizabeth Taylor Humanitarian Award – Presented to rock group MANA
Tequila Audience Award – Best Film
Included amongst a rich diversity of films will be Galas, Art Expos, Food Events, Concerts and much more…not to mention the tremendous amount of outdoor activities available in and around Puerto Vallarta. For further up-to-date information, check out the website at www.puertovallartafilm.com