18th Annual Latin American Film Festival: Warming up Ottawa with a celebration of Latin Film, Food and Culture

The Canadian Film Institute (CFI), in collaboration with the Group of Latin American Ambassadors (GRULA), is proud to present the 18th annual Latin American Film Festival (LAFF), from March 27th to April 13, 2014. The festival, founded in 1997, highlights the wide range of artistic and cinematic talents found south of the Rio Grande through public screenings of 16 contemporary films, each produced in a different Latin American nation, from Mexico through Central America to Argentina. The event is features three weeks of films, special guests, and Embassy receptions. All films are Ottawa premieres, and are presented in their original languages with English sub-titles. “We’re very excited to be bringing such a diverse selection of Latin American films to audiences here in Ottawa,” said Canadian Film Institute Executive Director Tom McSorley. “Last year’s Festival was very positive and we’re thrilled to be able to build on that success with more films, special guests and new events this year.” For the first time, the LAFF presents ¡Fiesta Latina!, a one-day cultural experience featuring gastronomic specialties from local Latin restaurants and embassy chefs from across Latin America. It will also showcase performances of Latin American dance and music, as well as a visual arts display. ¡Fiesta Latina! will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 1pm until 7pm at the Library and Archives Canada Building (395 Wellington Street) in downtown Ottawa. Admission for the ¡Fiesta Latina! exhibition is free. As a special feature of ¡Fiesta Latina!, the Canadian Film Institute presents the Cuban silent film The Virgin of Charity (La virgen de la caridad, 1930), with live piano accompaniment from acclaimed Cuban musician Miguel De Armas. Standard CFI ticket prices apply. All screening events will take place at the Auditorium at 395 Wellington Street in Ottawa. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for members, seniors, and students. CFI members can purchase 5-film passports for $35, and non-members can purchase an Annual Membership for only $15. Tickets for any and all films can be purchased on-site each night of the Festival, or are available online via the CFI website. Visit www.cfi-icf.ca for complete details and listings. The Canadian Film Institute (CFI) was incorporated in 1935 as a federally-chartered, nongovernmental, non-profit cultural organization. It is the oldest film institution in Canada and the second oldest film institute in the world. More information about the organization can be found online at www.cfi-icf.ca. For more information, press materials, photos, or film screeners, contact CFI Executive Director Tom McSorley (mcsorley@cfi-icf.ca) or Programmer Jerrett Zaroski (zaroski@cfi-icf.ca) at 613-232-6727 or 613-232-8769.