Twenty-one countries will be represented at the 13th annual edition of the Belize International Film Festival (BelizeIFF). From November 8-11, 2018, in Belmopan’s University of Belize Jaguar Auditorium will be where a diverse range of full-length and short films will be screened for an excited audience. There will also be a limited screening of some of the same films in Belize City from November 8-11, 2018.
Over 30 films will be shown at the BelizeIFF in five different categories: films that focus on the human condition, films about “collective memories” (discussing people, events, and places that have shaped the history of the region), short films, music videos (all filmed in Belize and featuring Belizean musicians), and “Green Globe” films that raise awareness about environmental issues.
The BelizeIFF will begin with a red carpet opening night gala on Thursday, November 8. Winners for each of the different categories will be announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday, November 11, followed by a concert. The official film selection list includes movies from Colombia, Norway, Burkina Faso, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, the United States, Mexico, Japan, Aruba, Togo, and, of course, Belize.
The cost of general admission for an individual film is $10 or $5 for students and seniors with a Golden Social Security Card. The cost to attend the opening night red carpet gala is $25, and the cost to attend the award show is $25.
Fifteen music videos will be screened in the music video category, eight films in the human condition category (including one directed by Christopher Coppola), five films in the collective memories category, and 17 movies in the short film category. Films with dialogue in a language other than English will be subtitled for the conveniences of attendees.
The Green Globe category is new to the BelizeIFF this year and is being led by the World Wildlife Fund and their local partners in Belize. No award will be given to a film in the Green Globe category as they are designed to be educational in nature.
Film lovers and nature lovers alike love to stay at the beautiful Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula where something exciting is always going on. Just this week, researchers at Louisiana State University discovered a huge salt factory in Payne’s Creek just south of Chabil Mar, and everyone is now gearing up for Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19.
November is the perfect month to enjoy some scuba diving or snorkeling, learn more about the Garifuna culture, or visit the Battle of the Drums competition in nearby Punta Gorda.
