The 4th edition of the Venezuelan Film Festival in New York announced its winners last night. Diego Risquez’s El Malquerido took home Best Fiction Film. The film portraits the life and career of Felipe Pirela, Venezuela’s bolero legend. From his native Maracaibo to the main stages of The Americas, Pirela is interpreted by the acclaimed international super star Jesús “Chino” Miranda, who brings to life a romantic story of success and passion.
The winner of Best Documentary was Alexandra Henao’s Kuyujani Envenenado (Poisoning Kuyujani) chronicling the struggle of two indigenous groups threatened by mercury poisoning from nearby mines. The jury for the 4th annual Venezuelan Film Festival in New York was composed by producer Isabel Dávalos, theater maker Lauren Reinhard, and art director Marcelo Pont.
The Audience Award went to Una Fábula Muy Trillada a documentary which visits Venezuela’s rock power trio, Dermis Tatú, twenty years after their huge success. Although they only released one album, "La violó, la mató y la picó" ("Raped her, killed her and cut her”), the record is still considered by many as the most influential in the Venezuelan rock scene
Founded by Irene Yibirin and launched in 2013, VEFFNY is a competitive festival committed to showing the very best of the new Venezuelan cinema to American audiences, and it has been successful in attracting international attention for Venezuelan films. This year’s lineup was programmed by Rodrigo Llamozas, a leading independent film distributor and exhibitor, and promoter of Venezuelan cinema.
The Venezuelan Film Festival in New York took place September 14-18 in New York City, New York.
