Free Film Festival to Bring 40+ Movies to Southern Quintana Roo

CHETUMAL — Red Tree Association will celebrate its ninth anniversary with Cycles, a festival running Nov. 19–29 that aims to turn southern Quintana Roo once again into a showcase for promoting cinematic art.

The festival will have venues in Chetumal, Bacalar, Calderitas and Felipe Carrillo Puerto and has scheduled free screenings of more than 40 films selected exclusively for the event. According to Alejandro Silveira, president of the group, the films will be shown in special screenings not only in theaters at the state capital’s cinema complex but also in public spaces so that everyone can access the showcase of national and international cinema.

“It will take place from November 19 to 29 in Chetumal, which is the first venue, where the inauguration will be held, with sub-venues at Cinépolis, the Cine Café at the House of Culture, and this first year a screening in the Magical Neighborhood at Caimanes Park; in Bacalar at San Felipe Fort as every year, in the park dome and the Arab House; in Felipe Carrillo Puerto at the main park esplanade, a forum in the auditorium of the Technological Institute, and for the first time we will have a fourth venue, Calderitas, with its open-air plaza and a special screening for this festival with more than 40 films from an official selection,” Silveira said.

While 60% of the selection consists of Mexican productions, mostly made by women, the festival also includes films from countries such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, Romania and the United States. Some of these films have been nominated at the Cannes Film Festival, won the Palme d’Or and been chosen to compete in the Oscars and the Goya Awards.

The festival will also host the Collective Memories forum in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a dialogue space for filmmakers from indigenous communities, on November 27. It will also launch a competitive short film section for filmmakers from Quintana Roo called Foco, which will allow them to demonstrate the audiovisual talent that exists in the state.

“This year there is competition, thanks to the support of major sponsors to promote and showcase local talent. Foco is designed to elevate local talent, and the short film that wins on November 26 will not only receive a cash prize but will also gain national exposure and reach locations where Red Tree has partnerships. We received more than 30 short films from Quintana Roo, which is a very high number for our state, and six will be competing,” he said.

Silveira added that since some of the films will not be released in Mexican theaters, he extended an invitation to the public to attend the galas and not miss the opportunity to enjoy quality productions.