43rd Miami Film Festival concludes after 11 days of features and documentaries

Cannes and Venice aren't the sole international film events offering sun, sand, and celebrities.

The Miami Film Festival, wrapping up its 43rd edition this evening, also takes place by the ocean.

The festival has gained a reputation as “a fantastic spot for filmmakers to congregate—renowned directors as well as those rising in the industry or with longstanding careers,” states festival executive director James Woolley.

“We make sure they have an enjoyable experience, and the audience loves seeing them. It feels like it's gaining momentum, and we eagerly anticipate each year to see which guests will join us by the beach for a great weekend. Hardly a tough choice.”

The festival began with Tuner, featuring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, directed by Oscar winner Daniel Roher, and will wrap up this evening with an 80th birthday celebration for director John Waters, who will be in attendance.

This year, MFF has extended its duration by adding an extra day, making it an 11-day event.

“The reason for that is we feature so many excellent films and we dislike having to schedule them simultaneously,” Woolley clarifies.

The festival, part of Miami Dade College, unfolds at multiple spots around Miami, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables, including the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts close to Biscayne Bay.

This year, honorees include Adam Scott, Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk, Oscar nominee Danielle Brooks, Lili Reinhart, Matt Bomer, and Sesame Street icon Sonia Manzano.

Odenkirk featured his new action thriller Normal, while Scott showcased his horror film Hokum. Festival planners carefully consider theatrical release schedules to invite key guests.

“That strategy led to Adam Scott joining with Hokum,” MFF programming director Lauren Cohen tells Deadline.

“We noticed Hokum was slated for a May 1st release and concluded, ‘Okay, early to mid-April is the ideal time before they dive fully into studio press demands.’ So, this timing is perfect, providing the stars deserved recognition without overwhelming press commitments. The same applies to Bob Odenkirk—Normal comes out this weekend… The timing really favored us here.”

Manzano, who portrayed “Maria” on Sesame Street for an incredible 44 years, was honored with the festival’s Impact Award. She, along with director Ernie Busamante, attended the screening of his documentary on her, Street Smart: Lessons From a TV Icon.

The Miami Film Festival mirrors the rich diversity of its location and strong Cuban American community by featuring films with Latin American themes or ties.

Highlights include A Loose End (Un cabo suelto) by Uruguayan filmmaker Daniel Hendler; Eva y Adán en Miami by Cuban director Lilo Vilaplana; Homo Argentum from Argentine directors Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat; It Would be Night in Caracas (Aun es de Noche en Caracas), from Venezuelan director Mariana Rondón and Peruvian director Marité Ugás; Runa Simi, a documentary set in Peru; Milly: Queen of Merengue, a music film about Dominican singer Milly Quezada by Dominican director Leticia Tonos Paniagua.

The historical portrayal Under the Same Sun (Bajo el mismo sol), directed by Spanish filmmaker Ulises Porra, is set in 19th century La Española, now split between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Miami Film Festival also showcased several documentaries spotlighting Cuba, including Revolution’s Daughter, which delves into the life of Alina Fernández Revuelta, one of Fidel Castro’s 11 children who escaped Cuba in 1993 after opposing her father's authoritarian regime.

Now residing in Miami, Fernández Revuelta attended the film's world premiere. During a Q&A session following the screening, she reflected on the Cuba her father established following his toppling of the Batista regime in 1959.

Other Cuban-themed documentaries featured at MFF included To the West, In Zapata, directed by David Bim, and the world premiere of Calle Cuba, directed by Vanessa Batista.