The 2nd Annual ­Aruba International Film Festival will take place on June 10-16, 2011 screening award winning and critically acclaimed films from around the world. AIFF’s mission is to connect to the international ­film community and Aruba while raising public awareness for Aruban culture and showcasing regional ­filmmakers and productions. Last year’s Aruba International Film Festival 2010 was a great success. For 8 days the professional ­film community gathered at Paseo Herencia Entertainment Center “to celebrate the fi­nest in new and independent fi­lms along with the incomparable beauty of the island.” Throughout the festival, notable film professionals will be conducting master classes on all facets of filmmaking and the creative process.

indieWIRE writes that initial details surrounding the 2011 edition were unveiled by AIFF founders and producers Giuseppe Cioccarelli and Jonathan Vieira. Claudio Masenza will reprise his role as the festival’s artistic director, selecting films that reflect the cultural diversity that epitomizes the island of Aruba. About last years’ experience, Masenza commented, “I was truly impressed with the love, passion and curiosity shown by the people of Aruba for the selection of international movies.”

Centered once again at the Paseo Herencia, the second edition of the Aruba International Film Festival aims to be even bigger than last year’s inaugural event, which showcased 25 films from 16 different countries and attracted an array of notable film industry names such as legendary leading man Richard Gere, writer and director Guillermo Arriaga (Babel, 21 Grams, The Burning Plain), actress Patricia Clarkson, actor, director and producer Griffin Dunne, Venezuelan actress Rudy Rodriguez, actor Alfonso Herrera, and the well-known Indian choreographer Longinus Fernandes (Slumdog Millionaire).

Encouraged by strong local support the AIFF plans to expand its popular “Spotlight” series, which was created to showcase film from Aruban and Caribbean filmmakers. This year’s festival will also have a strong focus on “Green” initiatives as it looks to play an active role in preserving and protecting the ecosystem that defines the beautiful island and implement pro-environmental practices throughout the festival to minimize the ecological impact of the week-long event.

For full article, see http://www.indiewire.com/article/2011/02/10/aruba_film_fest_announces_sophomore_edition

For more details, visit the Aruba International Film Festival website at http://www.arubafilmfest.com/