Producers, directors and even the President of Miami-Dade College, Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, strolled the red carpet at the historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami on Friday for the Miami International Film Festival’s opening night film.

A crowd that included film-industry insiders and students gathered around the venue awaiting the screening of “Chico & Rita,” an animated feature about a love affair that begins in pre-revolutionary Havana. It’s directed by the Oscar and Goya Award-winning Spanish Director Fernando Trueba.

Festival film-goers can anticipate more previews of long-awaited films and documentaries.

The red carpet frenzy continues tonight with the world premiere of the drama, “Things Fall Apart,” starring hip-hop artist turned actor Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and produced by Miami native Randall Emmett. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplay. The film is based on the true story of his friend Deon Barnes. Jackson plays Barnes, an NFL-bound college football star battling cancer. As Barnes life falls apart around him, he’s forced to face a new reality.

Another treat for sports enthusiast is the screening of the 1962 black and white documentary “Mooney vs. Fowle.” This film describes the state high school football championship showdown between long-time rivals at the Miami (the underdogs) and Edison (the favorites) senior high schools. The movie presents an uncensored portrait of coaches, Ottis Mooney of Miami High and Haywood Fowle of Edison.

A special sneak peek of a new four part PBS series from renowned Harvard scholar, writer and documentarian Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr. starts Tuesday. This series, “Black in Latin America,” looks at the influence of African descendants on Latin American cultures in the countries of Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and Peru.

Learn more about the events at the Miami International Film Festival’s official website. I’ll also keep you posted on what’s to come.

Also check out my blog, “It is Written…BY”  Bridging Business News with Hot Topics

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