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1st Funchal International Film Festival pays homage to director/producer ANTÓNIO DA CUNHA TELLES and SPANISH CINEMA
7th till 13th November

This yearly event is a project to fulfill the need of audiences to see the film production of lesser known countries and, at the same time, to promote Madeira and its capital as a wonderful tourism destination.
Bearing this in mind, the FICF 2005 was born. Its first edition will be held the 5th till 13th November, and it will pay homage to Madeira director/ producer António da Cunha Teles. There will also be a COMPETITIVE SECTION under the theme Cinema of the Atlantic, and a section called ANIMARTE, dedicated to younger audiences.
The organization belongs to the cultural association PLANO XXI, together with CINEMA NOVO CRL, the organizers of the well-known FANTASPORTO - Oporto International Film festival.
The festival is to be held at the Teatro Nacional Baltazar Dias, right in the center of Funchal, and also in the garden in front for open-air screenings and music shows.
F.I.C.F.’05 has an Official Section open to competition for short and feature length films, both in 35mm, coming from Atlantic countries.
These films have to be absolute premières in Portugal. The shorts (which must not exceed 15 minutes) and the features are to be screened in a 35mm support.
Apart from the Official Competition, the non-competitive sector Panorama & Premiere aims at being a mirror of the latest world film production, introducing some of the pre-release screenings .
Open air screenings will be held under the title “Cinema in the Garden” , presenting quality and cult features in the tropical garden opposite the main theatre, for audiences of all ages.
A selection of the new Portuguese Cinema is due to to be presented, especially those not yet seen in Madeira, and a booth of the Portuguese Film Institute (ICAM) will take charge of the promotion of the national film industry with the viewing of the most recent films for the benefit of the foreign guests and press.
Already in the program for 2005 is a Retrospective of Spanish Cinema, in the presence of distinguished guests and representatives of the Spanish culture; and an homage to Madeira born director/producer António da Cunha Telles.
Animarte is a section dedicated to younger audiences, including animation and live image feature films. Invitations to schools will promote this section.
Lectures and debates on the world film business are also in the thoughts of the organizers, as well as press conferences. An international juri will decide on the awards. Photo and art exhibitions may also be included as sidebars.
The Opening and Closing ceremonies are to be highlighted with openings and music concerts.
The official program will be announced a month earlier to the beginning of the event.
Next to the main theatre is the Café do Teatro, the meeting place for festival goers, introducing a touch of nightlife to the Funchal Festival.
The Island of Madeira is well known all over the world as a favorite tourism destination. Now, though the impact of an important film event, combining culture, customs, and the economy, the attention of the media will be drawn towards this “Pearl of the Atlantic” and closer to this little bit of Paradise, this Island of Dreams.