Silver Spring, MD – The American Film Institute announced today the complete slate of films for the 2014 edition of its AFI Latin American Film Festival which will take place September 18-October 8 at the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland.  The festival, now celebrating its 25th year, showcases the best in filmmaking from Latin America and, with the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections. This year’s selection of 40 films ranges from international festival favorites and award winners, to local box-office hits and debut works from gifted new talents. Additionally, a number of the filmmakers and actors will present their films in person at this year’s screenings, and several of the festival’s Special Presentations will include post-screening receptions.

The Opening Night film, THE LIBERATOR, directed by Alberto Arvelo (CYRANO FERNÁNDEZ) is an epic big screen biopic about the South American freedom fighter Simón Bolívar. The screening will be followed by a reception sponsored by Café Azul. 

Additional Special Festival Presentations include: Argentina’s box office sensation 7TH FLOOR, a heart-pounding thriller starring Ricardo Darín (THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES) and Belén Rueda (THE ORPHANAGE); a free sneak preview of the animated adventure THE BOOK OF LIFE, produced by Guillermo del Toro (PACIFIC RIM), with director and writer Jorge Gutierrez in attendance for a post-screening discussion; and PARADISE, a light-hearted rom-com about weight loss, with director/screenwriter Mariana Chenillo (NORA’S WILL) in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute.

The 2014 festival also features the World Premiere of the first Salvadoran dramatic feature in more than 40 years, THE CROW’S NEST, with director/screenwriter/producer Arturo Menendez and producer Andre Guttfreund in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Embassy of El Salvador; the U.S. premiere of recent Cannes Film Festival debut, GENTE DE BIEN, a sensitive coming-of-age story; and TO KILL A MAN, winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Competition at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, with lead actor Daniel Candia in attendance, to be followed by a Chilean wine tasting sponsored by the Embassy of Chile.

Other festival highlights include LOCK CHARMER, a charming dramedy with a dash of magical realism, with director/screenwriter Natalia Smirnoff (ROMPECABEZAS) in attendance for a discussion with Beatriz Urraca, co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina,” plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Embassy of Argentina; and Closing Night selection, 10,000 KM, a film about a long-distance relationship in the 21st century, with director/screenwriter Carlos Marques-Marcet (THE YELLOW RIBBON) in attendance for a discussion, plus a post-screening reception sponsored by SPAIN arts & culture and the Embassy of Spain.

Additional festival guests include filmmaker Héctor Valdez and actor Christian Alvarez with their breathtaking Dominican road film, THE SOUTH OF INNOCENCE and director/screenwriter Cláudio Marques (DEPOIS DA CHUVA) with his anarchic political allegory from Brazil, AFTER THE RAIN.

Further highlights include Argentina’s LIVING STARS, a raucous dance documentary, which will be followed by an after-party featuring a DJ set by Maracuyeah Collective; CASA GRANDE, a witty coming-of-age tale from Brazil that explores issues of race and class; TWO SHOTS FIRED, an existential comedy from Martín Rejtman (THE MAGIC GLOVES), following its recent screenings at the Toronto and New York Film Festivals; ILLITERATE, starring Paulina Garcia (GLORIA); THE BOY AND THE WORLD, a stunningly animated Brazilian fable, awarded the top prize at this year's Annecy Animated Film Festival; and LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED, winner of six Goya Awards.

A complete schedule of all festival screenings is attached. For photos, contact Susan Bluttman at sbluttman@AFI.com. For updated information and tickets, go to AFI.com/Silver/LAFF.

About the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

AFI Silver is one of the nation's premier film theaters, building an appreciation of the art and artists through exploring and celebrating new and classic films and filmmakers from around the globe. AFI Silver offers a year-round program of the best in American and international cinema, featuring a dynamic mix of retrospectives, special events, tributes, on-stage guest appearances, specialty first-run movies, festivals, premieres, and education and community-based programs in a theatrical setting of the highest standards. Anchored by the stunningly restored 1938 Silver Theatre, the three-screen AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is a state-of-the-art film and digital media exhibition venue that serves as a national model for preserving and honoring our shared film and film-going heritage. For more information about AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, visit AFI.com/Silver. 

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film – now in its 42^nd year; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI Fest presented by Audi, AFI Docs and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory, recognized for the quality of its instructors and speakers and its notable alumni.

For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute andyoutube.com/AFI