Lima Film Festival (Festival de Cine de Lima)

Overview

The Lima Film Festival (Festival de Cine de Lima) is Peru's most important international film festival and the most significant film event in the Andean region of South America. Founded in 1997 and held annually in August in Lima under the auspices of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, the festival screens approximately 100 films from Ibero-America and beyond.

Peru has a modest but growing film industry, and the Lima Film Festival provides the primary international showcase for Peruvian cinema. The festival's academic sponsorship gives it a connection to film education and film studies that distinguishes it from purely commercial events.

The Andean region, encompassing Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, has produced internationally recognized filmmakers, and the Lima festival provides the most important regional platform for this cinema.

Key Sections

• Ibero-American Competition -- films from Spain, Portugal, and Latin America
• Peruvian Films -- a showcase for new Peruvian cinema
• Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
• Short Films -- Ibero-American short film programs
• Educational Program -- film studies activities connected to the university

What Filmmakers Should Know

Lima Film Festival accepts open submissions. For Peruvian and Andean filmmakers, the festival is the most important regional platform. For Ibero-American filmmakers broadly, Lima provides exposure to one of South America's largest cities and a market that is underserved by international distribution.

Major Awards

• Golden Lima Award -- Best Ibero-American Film
• Best Peruvian Film
• Audience Award
• Special Jury Prize

Festival History

The Lima Film Festival was founded in 1997 by the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru and has operated continuously since then, building a reputation as the region's most culturally serious film event.

See Also

For Latin American cinema, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.