Havana Prepares for the 46th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema

From December 4 to 14, Havana will host the 46th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, presenting 222 works from 42 countries. This year’s program is dedicated to the centenary of Alfredo Guevara, founder of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) and a key figure in the development of Cuban audiovisual culture.

The event features a significant presence of Cuban productions across all sections, including fiction features, first films, documentaries, short films and animation. Film critic Joel del Río highlighted the variety of national titles in competition, noting the vitality of contemporary Cuban cinema.

Cuban fiction entries include Neurótica anónima, directed by Jorge Perugorría and Mirta Ibarra, inspired by Ibarra’s own stage play. The film follows Iluminada, portrayed by Ibarra, whose personal frustrations lead her to live as if trapped inside a movie.

Another Cuban fiction feature is Cherri, directed by Fabián Suárez, about an overweight gay choreographer working in a plus-size ballet company while caring for his disabled husband. Del Río noted that Suárez maintains his authorial approach, marked by experimentation and symbolism.

Representing Cuba in the first film competition is Baracoa, a Cuban-Italian coproduction directed by Luis Ernesto Doñas, following the physical and emotional journey of two men who cross the island with a promise to fulfill.

Cuban short fiction films include Anba Dlo, Casting para Carmen, El último juego, Norheimsund, Primera enseñanza, Pupa and Ponto cego.
The documentary competition features Mijaín, directed by Rolando Almirante, Ángel Alderete and Héctor Villar, profiling Cuban Olympic champion Mijaín López. Short documentary entries include Tiempo detenido and Dormidos sobre rodillas calientes.

In animation, Cuba presents La niña y el mar, Mi mejor amiga, Rapto and El jardín, the latter created using oil-on-glass technique.

International Program and Special Initiatives

The festival will screen films from across Latin America and beyond, including Argentina’s Belén (Dolores Fonzi), Caigan las rosas blancas (Albertina Carri), Bolivia’s La hija cóndor (Álvaro Olmos), the Chilean-Italian Cuerpo celeste (Nayra Ilic) and the Brazilian El agente secreto, directed by Kleber Mendonça.

Mexico will be the special guest country, with a dedicated program and the Coral of Honor awarded to Estudios Churubusco on their 80th anniversary.

Under the slogan “Rodando cine”, the festival supports initiatives such as Cine Móvil in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. The new industry platform MECLA “Isla Abierta” aims to strengthen connections among Latin America, the Caribbean and Eurasia.

The program includes poster exhibitions dedicated to Alfredo Guevara, Luis Buñuel and Vampiros en La Habana, as well as contemporary design showcases. The event will commemorate several institutional anniversaries, including the 40th anniversary of the Foundation of New Latin American Cinema and the 65th anniversaries of the Cuban Cinematheque and ICAIC Newsreel.

A new grant for women filmmakers over 50 will be awarded, organized with the support of UNFPA and Proyecto Palomas.

Industry highlights include El camino, by Omar Alí, competing for the Coral Post-Production Award, and out-of-competition screenings of Cinco historias de amor y un bolerón desesperado and Calle 232. A special presentation will feature Un artista con suerte, a documentary by Arlene Comas about Cuban animator Mario Rivas.

Festival Passes will be available beginning November 24. As part of the tribute to Alfredo Guevara, Ediciones ICAIC will publish Mi pasión más allá del cine, a volume of 50 essays originally printed in the magazine Cine Cubano.