The 42nd Miami Film Festival began Thursday, launching a 10-day program that includes almost 200 narrative, documentary, and short films from 45 countries. Thirty-five titles are making their world premiere during the event, which runs through April 13.
The festival opened with the Florida premiere of Meet the Barbarians (Les Barbares), the latest work from Julie Delpy. Though originally scheduled to attend both the screening and a special 30th anniversary event for Before Sunrise, Delpy was unable to travel due to her casting in Ruben Östlund’s upcoming film The Entertainment System Is Down.
“She really, really wanted to be here,” said Lauren Cohen, the festival’s director of programming, during the event at the Olympia Theater. “This film means a lot to her.”
Delpy’s film, set in Brittany, France, follows a town preparing to host Ukrainian refugees, only to find itself navigating unexpected complications when Syrian migrants arrive instead. The title is among the 19 films in competition for the festival’s $15,000 Marimbas Award, which recognizes new narrative features.
In his remarks, festival executive director James Woolley highlighted the presence of regional stories in this year’s program. “Miami has so many different characters, so many big characters who deserve to be on screens,” he said.
Among the featured local films is El Sonido de Miami, a documentary by Emilio Oscar Alcalde. The film explores how Cuban immigrants shaped the cultural and musical fabric of the city while adapting to life in the United States. The world premiere will take place April 10 at the Miami Beach Bandshell, followed by a performance from Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Juez. Director Alcalde, producer Eloy Cepero, and WDNA’s Viviám Maria Lopez are expected to attend.
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El Sonido de Miami is one of nine titles competing for the Made in MIA Award, a jury-selected prize for works filmed in and thematically tied to South Florida. Other entries include Xander Robin’s The Python Hunt, centered on Everglades conservation efforts, and Gabriel Mayo’s A Weird Kind of Beautiful. The award includes a Panavision rental package valued at $60,000.
The festival also includes awards for short films, first-time features, and documentaries. These include the $5,000 Made in MIA Short Film Award, the $4,000 Miami International Short Film Award, the $10,000 Jordan Ressler First Feature Award, the $2,000 Documentary Achievement Award, and the $1,000 Short Documentary Film Award. Several awards are presented in partnership with institutions such as the University of Miami.
Julie Delpy will be invited to return to receive her Festival Impact Award. Additional honorees this year include Roger Ross Williams, Paul Feig, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Duplass, and Billy Zane. Each will participate in screenings and special events connected to their current projects.
The festival is presented by Miami Dade College and expects to welcome more than 45,000 attendees, including 400 filmmakers and industry guests.
