It’s hard to believe that the Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama) is about to embark on its sixth year, but here we are again. What started as a simple idea to showcase local film talent, has blossomed into one of the premier cinema events in Latin America. The IFF is a week-long festival that includes screenings, Q & A with cast and production staff, lectures, a gala, and a whole lot of fun. There are nearly 70 different films that will be screened over the course of 7 days, at a variety of theaters all over Panama City. They’re from all over the world, and divided into categories by region and style. Festival goers will get to immerse themselves in cinema each day, and learn a little bit more about the industry and the people who make it along the way.
Teatro Balboa
Why the IFF is so important to Panama
More than just an international film festival, the IFF gives Panamanian filmmakers an unprecedented stage to showcase their work on. Panama’s film industry is pretty small, relatively speaking, but thanks in part to this festival, that is changing quickly. Both new and veteran directors and actors can show their work to a large, international audience, with the hopes of distribution, or at the very least, artistic recognition. Without the IFF, so many of these films would have never had such a big avenue to attract an audience, making it not just important for the film industry, but also for Panama’s overall artistic culture.
Beyond the films made in Panama, the IFF also helps boost arts in the country by bringing in (and showcasing) foreign filmmakers as well. Films come in a number of different languages, and cover issues and cultures that may have been alien to the casual Panamanian moviegoer before. This is the best chance you’ll get to see real, art house cinema in Panama, without the Hollywood hype and commercialization, or a disinterested audience. For film buffs in Panama, this is simply a “must do” event.
How to attend the 6th Annual Panama International Film Festival
If you’d like to attend the 6th Edition of The Panama International Film Festival, you can buy tickets at the venues for films, or through PanaTickets.com for pre-sale and seminars. There is a full schedule of the event online, with showtimes and locations listed clearly for each day. All of the screenings and presentations are in Panama City, and you can get daily updates of what’s going on via their Facebook and Twitter. The festival goes from March 30th to April 5th, culminating with a gala to honor all of the participants, as well as hand out awards. This event grows bigger and more recognized each year, and we highly recommend going if you’re interested in cinema, or even just want to learn more about the arts and culture here in Panama. In the words of the festival organizers:
“IFF Panama exists for its audience: because Panamanians share an immense cultural passion for cinema, always open to exchange with all nations of the world. This passion caused and supported the launch of our first festival in 2012 and has fueled its growth ever since. Today, IFF Panama is a recognized cultural cornerstone.”
