The Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) is joining Fundacion Respeta Bida in supporting an Island wide “Tolerance Day” (Sunday, June 12th) by extending the event an extra day to Monday, June 13th to host a special screening series. The announcement was made by Festival founders Giuseppe Cioccarrelli and Jonathan Vieira and AIFF Artistic Director Claudio Masenza.

On Monday, June 13th AIFF will sponsor a special screening showcase consisting of four films, free to the public, all dealing with the subject of tolerance of cultural and religious differences. The films are:

• An Israeli-Palestinian collaboration titled “Coffee: Between Reality and Imagination”

• A documentary viewing the concept of God from the perspective of many different religions titled “The Invocation”

•  The French WWII drama “La Rafle”

• The award winning short film “Ensemble”

The evening will also feature a special Red Carpet event with the filmmakers of each of these movies, members of Fundacion Respeta Bida, religious leaders and government representatives.

The 2nd Annual Aruba International Film Festival is showcasing a diverse array of films from 13 different countries and feature several international premieres. Among the titles are the Massimiliano Bruno directed Italian comedy “Nessuno mi può giudicare” (English title “Nobody Can Judge Me”); American drama “Meet Monica Velour,” written and directed by Keith Bearden; the Mario Van Peebles directed drama “Things Fall Apart” starring rapper, actor and multi-tiered business mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who will be attending the Festival; and “Tequila” directed by Sergio Sánchez Suárez.

AIFF will open with “Meet Monica Velour” starring Kim Cattrall, who will kick-off the Festival’s opening night Red Carpet on Friday, June 10th at Paseo Herencia.

Among the international stars confirmed to attend AIFF are Italian actress Paola Cortellesi (“Nessuno mi può ’ guidicare-Nobody Can Judge Me,” “Piano, solo”), director Sergio Sanchez Suarez (“Tequila”) and his leading actress Daniela Schmidt (“Casi divas,” “Sea of Dreams”), Mexican actress Barbara Mori (“Kites,” “La mujer de mi hermano,” “Ugly Me“), Italian actor and screenwriter Alessandro Calza (“Ciao”), and Polish director and artist Lech Majewski (“The Mill and the Cross,” “Angelus”).

Encouraged by strong local support last year, AIFF expanded its popular "Spotlight" series, which was created to showcases movies from Aruban and Caribbean filmmakers. Having proved its popularity among locals, the Festival has created a broader experience for the series this year. There will be an official competition, jury and award, as well an audience award.

The full AIFF program is available to print online at www.arubafilmfest.com. Tickets can be booked through the website and purchased at the AIFF’s office at Paseo Herencia. Tickets are available in a variety of price ranges, from a simple movie ticket to packages of multi–event attendance, to top accreditation tickets for VIP events.

More About the ‘Tolerance Day’ Films:

“The Invocation”

“The Invocation” is a documentary that explores the notion of 'God' and World Peace through Religion, Spirituality, History, Science, Politics and Arts.

Emmanuel Itier wrote, directed and produced the film, which features a number of major celebrities including Sharon Stone (who serves as narrator), The Dalai Lama, Mark Wahlberg, Rosario Dawson, Veronica De Laurentis, Malcolm McDowell, Oliver Stone, Deepak Chopra, Brian Cox and Desmond Tutu, to name a few.

“Coffee: Between Reality and Imagination”

Eleven filmmakers, Israeli and Palestinian, embarked on a journey to create short films, fiction or documentary, inspired by Coffee - part of the cultural identity and social reality. Each film provides a personal and courageous point of view on the reality Israel inhabit. While producing the films, the filmmakers had creative freedom, participated in joint meetings, and worked with mixed crews, both Israeli and Palestinian. The documentary is based on an idea from Abed Natuf.

“La Rafle”

“La Rafle” (English title: “The Round Up”)  is a French film directed by Roselyne Bosch and produced by Alain Goldman. The film stars Mélanie Laurent, Jean Reno, Sylvie Testud and Gad Elmaleh. Based on the true story of a young Jewish boy, the film depicts the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup (Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv), the mass arrest of Jews by French police who were Nazi accomplices in Paris in July 1942

“Ensemble” (Short Film)

Paris, 1942, Isaac a Jewish child, escapes the Nazis, he found refuge in the mosque of Paris. Ahmed, the Imam, took under his protection. Ahmed decided to save as many children as possible from certain death. A true story, it is still impossible to evaluate the exact number of lives SI KADDOUR BENGHABRIT saved through his extraordinary acts, most say it ranges between 600 and 1500.

The film is written and directed by Mohamed Fekrane (firts time director) and produced by Christophe Kay Kourdouly and Bruno Chatelin - Emotion Film Factory.
The film won its first recognition in Cannes winning the Banlieuz'Art selection.

Starring in the film are Habib Kadi, Clemence Thioly, Arsene Mosca, Tony Baillargeat and Erwan Beaucher.

About the Aruba International Film Festival

The breathtaking Caribbean island of Aruba provides the backdrop for the film industry’s newest “must-attend” event, taking place June 10-16, 2011, with an inviting atmosphere, suited like none other, to attract actors, directors, filmmakers, and film lovers. 

AIFF stands to further global awareness for the Island of Aruba as a center of art, culture and creativity and serve as a platform to promote the understanding and appreciation for the art of cinema and filmmaking. With participants enjoying a relaxed Aruban ambiance and a casual interaction between filmmakers and audience.

The annual AIFF brings people from around the world to view a wide selection of films, join in discussions and attend special parties and events.

AIFF has a mission to encourage, educate and activate young Aruban filmmakers. Throughout the Festival, notable film professionals will be conducting master classes on all facets of filmmaking and the creative process.

For more information please visit the Aruba International Film Festival website at www.arubafilmfest.com.