Brazil, Argentina and Cuba Win Big at Latin American Film Fest
Brazil, Argentina and Cuba were the big winners at the 28th edition of the New Latin American Film Fest in this capital.

Cuban feature films El Benny in the category of Opera Prima, and La Edad de la Peseta (The Silly Age) for photography and art direction, were awarded for their meticulous work in creating the ambience of the 50s.

Brazilian fiction films obtained first and third prize with El Cielo de Suely (Suely´s heaven) of Karin Anouz and Los 12 trabajos (Twelve Pieces) of Ricardo Elias, while El Camino de San Diego (San Diego Way) of Carlos Sorin of Argentina came in second.

The special award of the Jury went to Se Prohibe Prohibir (Forbidden to Forbid) by Jorge Duran of Brazil and a Special Mention to Paginas del Diario de Mauricio (Pages from Mauricio´s Diary) by Manuel Perez from Cuba.

In the Opera Prima category, following the first prize to El Benny, the second prize went to Que tan Lejos (How Far) by Tania Hermida of Ecuador and the third award to Madeinusa by Claudia Llosa of Peru.

The best director award went to Rodrigo Moreno for El Custodio (The Guard) Argentina, best photography to Luis Najmias Jr. for La Edad de la Peseta (Cuba), and Best art direction to Vivian del Valle for that same film.

Best actress award went to Hermila Guedes, for Suely´s Heaven of Brazil, and the best actor to Julio Chavez for The Guard of Argentina, while Best Sound to Joan Godoud for the Brazilian film Antonia.

Pavel Giraud, director of The Silly Age, told Prensa Latina he was satisfied with the two Coral awards won by that film.

This Cuban-Spanish coproduction deals about the life of a mother and her 10-year old boy who go to live with his grandmother. A peculiar relationship develops between the adolescent and the old lady, who will work together in photography projects.

Brazil and Argentina, countries with the most entries to the film contest were favorites to win since the event began last December 5 and closes today.