Argentina Wins Six Prizes at Locarno Including Best Film Award

Argentina was the big winner of the 64th edition of the Locarno Fim Festival that came to an end today, winning six prizes. Milagros Mumenthaler's Abrir puertas y ventanas / Back to Stay took hom five prizes at the competition including the Golden Leopard award, the festival's top prize, as Best Film in the international competition; the Best Actress award for María Canale; and the FIPRESCI Award. Additionally Santiago Mitre's El estudiante won a Special Jury Prize in the Cineasti del Presente section. The Golden Leopard prize includes a cash award of 90,000 Swiss francs (about $131,000 US).

Mexican Films EL PREMIO and THE TINIEST PLACE Win Lima Film Fest

Mexican film El Premio (pictured) by Paula Markovitch won the top prize of the 15th edition of the Lima Film Festival that ended today. The top prize received a cash prize of $5,000 USD. The Mexican film El lugar más pequeño / The Tiniest Place by Tatiana Huezo received the award for  Best Documentary. Additionally the Mexican-Dominican co-production Jean Gentil by Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas won the Special Jury Prize, whilst the prize for Best First Feature was awarded to Argentinean film Las Acacias by Pablo Giorgelli.  Argentine filmmaker Anahi Berneri was awarded as Best Director for her film Por tu culpa / It's Your Fault, and Rosario García Montero's film Las malas intenciones / The Bad Intentions won the prize as Best Peruvian Film.

García Bernal and Ambulante to Be Honored by Human Rights Org

The Washington Office on Latin American (WOLA) has announced that it will honor actor Gael García Bernal as well as the Ambulante Film Festival with its 2011 WOLA Human Rights Award. The organization, which promotes human rights, democracy, and social justice by working with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to shape policies in the United States and abroad, announced that is honoring the Mexican actor for fostering deeper understanding and visibility of migrant issues, and honoring Ambulante for using documentaries as a tool for change. García Bernal, along with Diego Luna, Pablo Cruz and Elena Fortes, co-creators of the Ambulante Film Festival, will receive the prize as part of the organization's annual benefit gala and dinner to take place at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C. on September 13th.

Lucrecia Martel Directs Short Film for Miu Miu

Renowned Argentinean filmmaker Lucrecia Martel (The Headless Woman) has directed a short film for Miu Miu, the high fashion brand owned by Prada. Titled Muta, the short film is the second in the promotional campaign series Women's Tales, directed by international female directors -the first one The Powder Room was directed by Zoe Cassavetes. The short film is described as a "contemporary noir film" and a  "beautiful and cryptic portrayal of an all female world of symbolism, hidden meaning and intrigue (...) a mesmerizing personal reflection on the transformative power of femininity at the hear of Miu Miu obsession."

Click here to watch the short film.

HABANA MUDA Wins Top Doc Prize at Outfest

Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, announced the winners of its 29th annual edition that came to a close yesterday Sunday, July 17th. The feature film Habana Muda (pictured) directed by Eric won the Grand Jury Award for as Outstanding Documentary Feature Film. The film tells the story of a deaf couple with two young children struggle to make ends meet in the capital of Cuba. Chino, the husband, is also in an open relationship with his Mexican lover Jose, who promises financial support from abroad. Additionally, the Brazilian short film I Don't Want to Go Back Alone / Eu não quero voltar sozinho by Daniel Ribeiro was the winner of the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film.

PRESUMED GUILTY Receives Three Emmy Nominations

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced the nominations for the 32nd Annual News and Documentary Emmys this morning which included three nomination for the Mexican film Presunto culpable / Presumed Guilty (pictured) that was broadcasted in the US as part of the PBS' POV series.  The film directed by Roberto Hernández and Geoffrey Smith was nominated in the following categories: Best Documentary, Outstanding Investigative Journalism (Long Form), and Outstanding Research. Additionally, the documentary feature Mónica &; David by Cuban-American filmmaker Ali Codina was also nominated in the Outstanding Informational Programming (Long Form) category; War Don Don, produced and edited by Cuban-American filmmaker Francisco Bello was nominated for Best Editing and Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story (Long Form); and Nicolás Entel's Pecados de mi padre / Sins of My Father snatched a nomination as Outstanding Music & Sound. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on September 26th in New York City.