The Third Annual Turks & Caicos International Film Festival (TCIFF) announced the line up of 6 feature films, 11 documentaries and 11 short films to be screened from October 16-21, 2007. Celebrating films that connect cinema to music, whether it be through content of the film, the characters, theme or even the score/soundtrack, TCIFF will take place on the island of the Providenciales, proving the wonderful opportunity to screen films in a relaxing atmosphere right on the lovely white beaches. El Contante(USA)- starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony- will kick off the jam-packed festival on the beach. Directed by Leon Ichaso, the dramatic film follows the life of Hector Lavoe, known for starting the salsa movement in 1975.
Other feature films being screened throughout the week include Lora (Hungary) directed by G�bor Herendi, who must be excited as this is will mark the film�s World Premiere, The Hottest State (USA) directed by Ethan Hawke, Something the Lord Made (USA) and Summer Scars (UK) directed by Julian Richards. Mani Ratnam�s Guru (India) will be one final feature film being screened, with Ratnam being honored with the Festival�s Sal Del Mar Director�s Excellence Award.
The World Premiere of Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story (USA) will be among the documentaries being screened, along with Jonathon Butler: Live in South Africa (South Africa), From Mambo to Hip Hop: A Bronx Tale (USA), Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano (USA), Screamers (UK) and War/Dance (USA/Uganda), which will be making their Caribbean Premiers. Other documentaries being screened at the festival include Jamesie King of Scratch (US Virgin Islands), and the USA films, Los Lonely Boys Cottonfields and Crossroads, Roots of Reggae: The Ernest Ranglin Story, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and finally, The Godfather of Disco.
Victoria Rowell�s short The Mentor will be among the short films scheduled to be screened, alongside Keys and P.N.O.K., both USA films, which will be premiering internationally for the first time. The World�s Most Dangerous Polka Band (USA) will be making it�s Caribbean premiere in the short film category, while USA films Spin, The Little Gorilla, Validation and the Canadian film The Price of Acorn will also be screened.
In addition to the diverse screenings, the festival offers events, panels musical performances and an awards presentation as well.
Access Hollywood�s Shaun Robinson will host the annual Sal Del Mar Awards Presentation, taking place on Saturday October 20th. Amanda Bynes, Mos Def, Marc Shaiman and Mani Ratnam are among those who will be honored at the ceremony, receiving the awards for Rising Star, Tour de Force, Composer�s Excellence and the Director�s Excellence Award.
Sunday October 21st will close the festival, with a Best of the Fest Sal Del Mar award ceremony, followed by �Shorts on the Beach,� a package of the Festival�s short films.
The Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Documentary, Best song and Best Score awards will be voted on by festival jurors throughout the week who will review all films which meet the eligibility requirements. Juror�s for this year�s festival include Academy Award nominated actor Robert Forster, director Sanna Hamri and producer & programmer for the Venice Film Festival, Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson.
Day passes for the festival start at $45 and that will include 4 regular films a day, plus one panel discussion. Discount travel and hotel accommodations are also available, including deals at the Festival�s official host hotel, The Alexandra.
For more information, to view the schedule or to purchase passes, visit www.tciff.com.
