Flowers (Loreak). Spain, 2014, 99 Minute Running Time

The 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) 27 films that were eligible for the Cine Latino Award were presented in the Ibero-American section at the Festival. Sponsored by the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) and the University of Guadalajara Foundation/USA, the winner, 'Flowers', received a $10,000 cash prize.

“What does it mean to be Latino or Ibero-American? We often engage in the most intensely absurd discussions trying to find a definition that satisfies us all. I believe, however, that the best answer can be found in the movies: where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and unique stories become universal fables. The increasing power of visual language and an innovative spirit –this is what our film industries have in common! And once again, 2014 has proven to be one of the most exemplary years for Ibero-American cinema. The Palm Springs International Film Festival recognizes the talent and creativity of its makers both in front of and behind the camera with the Cine Latino Award. This year we celebrate the vitality of the region with a record 27 films. We are truly grateful to the vision and commitment of two of the leading cultural, social and educational organizations in Mexico and the United States -- the Guadalajara International Film Festival and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA -- for sponsoring this award and helping to strengthen the cultural and artistic bridges so fundamental to all of us,” said Hebe Tabachnik, Ibero-American Programmer for PSIFF.

“For the third consecutive year, top caliber Latino films will compete in the Ibero American competition at the Palm Springs Film Festival from January 2 to the 12, 2015,” said Iván Trujillo, Festival Director for the Guadalajara International Film Festival. “Their stories, genres and production values have garnered these films both critical and audience recognition at the most important festivals all over the globe. This will be indeed a very competitive year for an award that is acquiring more and more prestige worldwide.”

“We have reached an important milestone. When the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in USA made an agreement to sponsor an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, we made a commitment to increase the cash prize within three years up to $10,000 to recognize the ‘Best Ibero American Film’ in the festival. Our Foundation is extremely proud to have fulfilled this arrangement with the Festival. Achieving this goal is only part of a whole project for the future,” said Raúl Padilla, President for the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA.

Jury members include Josep Parera (Entertainment Editor – La Opinión) Nacho Carballo (Festival Director, Gijón International Film Festival, Spain) and Tom Davia (Founder & Managing Partner of Cinemaven Media).

They reviewed 27 films to select the Cine Latino Award winner. This year’s eligible films were: 10,000 KM (Spain), Director: Carlos Marques-Marcet August Winds (Brazil), Director: Gabriel Mascaro Behavior (Cuba), Director: Ernesto Daranas Serrano Ciudad Delirio (Colombia, Spain), Director: Chus Gutiérrez Flowers (Spain), Directors: Jon Garaño, José Mari Goenaga Futuro Beach (Brazil), Director: Karim Ainouz Gente de Bien (Colombia, France), Director: Franco Lolli Güeros (Mexico), Director: Alonso Ruiz Palacios Hawaii (Argentina), Director: Marco Berger The Hours With You (Mexico), Director: Catalina Aguilar Mastretta La Tirisia (Mexico), Director: Jorge Pérez Solano Lake Los Angeles (USA), Director: Mike Ott Liberator (Venezuela, Spain), Director: Alberto Arvelo Magical Girl (Spain), Director: Carlos Vermut Mateo (Colombia, France), Director: María Gamboa A moonless Night (Uruguay, Argentina), Director: Germán Tejeira Mother of the Lamb (Chile), Directors: Rosario Espinosa Godoy, Enrique Farías Mr. Kaplan (Uruguay), Director: Álvaro Brechner Natural Sciences (Argentina), Director: Matías Lucchesi NN (Peru, Colombia, France, Germany), Director: Héctor Galvez Not All Is Vigil (Spain, Colombia), Director: Hermes Paralluelo One for the Road (Mexico), Director: Jack Zagha Kababie The Perfect Dictatorship (Mexico), Director: Luis Estrada Sand Dollars (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Argentina), Directors: Israel Cárdenas, Laura Amelia Guzmán To Kill a Man (Chile), Director: Alejandro Fernández Almendras The Way He Looks (Brazil), Director: Daniel Ribeiro Wild Tales (Argentina, Spain), Director: Damián Szifrón

About The Guadalajara International Film Festival: FICG was founded with support from the University of Guadalajara in 1985 by the Mexican filmmaker Jaime Humberto Hermosillo, with the tremendous help from young film students like Guillermo del Toro. It will celebrate its 30th edition next March 6-15, 2015. FICG is the lead film festival in Latin America. It is a forum for the training, education, and creative exchange among industry professionals, film critics, and film students from all over Ibero-America.

About the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in the U.S.: The University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States of America is an extension of Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara, A.C., and is made up of a number of prominent academic and social leaders. The Foundation works to attain private support from individuals, foundations and corporations in order to fulfill the mission and vision of the University of Guadalajara in Los Angeles. It seeks to improve the quality of life and social integration of migrants and hispanic nationals by increasing their access to education and enhancing their sense of belonging and identification with their environment by developing their skills and capabilities through educational services and relevant social research.

-PSIFF Official Press Release-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon