Buenos Aires, December 8 (NA) -- The 46th edition of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, held in the Cuban capital until December 14, brings together works from 42 countries. The event reaffirms its commitment to the Latin American and Caribbean cultural identity and this year set a historical record with 2,225 submissions, of which 222 form the official competitive selection, according to a Xinhua report accessed by the Argentine News Agency. Among the standout films are productions from Mexico, the guest of honor country, as well as from Argentina, Venezuela, and Chile, while also featuring 34 Cuban films and a special section dedicated to cinema from BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Despite the economic difficulties Cuba is facing, the public appreciates the efforts to maintain this festival and the national film industry, with long lines forming these days to see the competing works. Art student Rachel Noda highlights one of the reasons Cuban cinema remains vibrant:
"It is the great strength of the country's artists and our immense desire to create, share, and live our art. Cuba has not been silenced, and we artists still have much to express."
The development of the island's film industry has been favored by recent policies, such as the creation of a development fund and an office to assist in production. These measures have led to a notable increase in the number and diversity of productions from different regions of the country with a high enough level to be part of an international festival of this magnitude. One of the main highlights of this edition is the launch of MECLA "Open Island," a film market driven by the Cuban Institute of Cinematic Art and Industry (ICAIC). According to the organizers, this initiative aims to turn Havana into a bridge for cooperation and circulation of content between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eurasia, opening East-West collaboration routes and generating investment opportunities. Founded on December 3, 1979, as the heir to the historic festivals of Viña del Mar, Mérida, and Caracas, the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema annually holds competitions for fiction, documentary, and animation films, first features, unpublished scripts, and posters, in addition to organizing meetings and seminars on cultural and cinematographic topics. Under the motto "Rolling Film," this edition pays homage to the centenary of its founder, the intellectual Alfredo Gueva, who always insisted on the need to integrate and promote the cultural and film movements of Latin America.
"That is precisely what has kept the festival going for so many years," says a young creator. She believes that the cultural landscape remains dynamic and that "there is still much more to say."
