UQ hosts 2013 Brisbane Latin American Film Festival

Cinema buffs and lovers of Latin American culture are invited to experience the stories, landscape and beauty of Latin America at the 2013 Brisbane Latin American Film Festival.

The University of Queensland's School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies will host the October 24-27 festival for the seventh consecutive year.

The free public event, opened by the Ambassador of Argentina, His Excellency Mr Pedro Villagra Delgado, will screen 12 films (with English subtitles) from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

UQ School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies Head Professor Tim Mehigan said the festival recognised the School’s important links with Latin America.

The School boasts one of the largest Spanish programs in Australia.

“The Festival showcases the wonderful humour and passion of Latin American culture and provides an ideal opportunity not only to celebrate this, but also to increase public awareness of the importance of this emerging region as a cultural, trade and economic hub,” Professor Mehigan said.

Festival highlights include the acclaimed Brazilian film The Clown, a comedy-drama featuring circus clown Puro Sangue (Thoroughbred), who roams the valleys and mountains of south-western Brazil with the Circo Esperanca (Circus Hope) but dreams of running away.

The Latin American Film Festival is sponsored by the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies with support from UQ International, the Latin American Embassies, the UQ Latin American Students Association (LASA) and Colombia Latte.

All films are classified R18+.

Event details

What: 7th Annual Latin American Film Festival When: October 24 – 27, 2013Venue: All films to be screened in Room 206, Steele Building (#3), Staff House Road, The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus.

For more information about the films and screening times visit: www.slccs.uq.edu.au/index.html?page=203224

Photo Opportunity

A Mexican Mariachi Band will perform for one hour during UQ's Market Day to promote the
Brisbane 2013 Latin American Film Festival on Wednesday 23 October from 12:30 to 1:30pm.

Venue: Campbell Place (adjacent to market stalls), The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.

Media contact: Lynda Flower - email: l.flower@uq.edu.au, phone: (07) 3365 6914 or Lisa Summer-Hayes: l.summerhayes@uq.edu.au , phone: (07) 3365 2632.