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Press release from Sydney Latin American Film Festival

The 5th Sydney Latin American Film Festival opens on the 1st of September at Dendy Opera Quays.

The 2010 Sydney Latin American Film Festival – September 1st to 19th – brings over 60 fresh and exciting Latin American films to Sydney audiences, from the Rio Grande to Tierra del Fuego and the Caribbean, including many award-winners and Australian premieres.

The festival opens on the 1st of September, at Dendy Opera Quays, with award-winning Argentine comedy and box-office hit Cuestión de principios (A Matter of Principles). Afterwards, filmgoers are invited to the Havana Club Opening Night Fiesta at Vivaz Restaurant and Nightclub on the harbour. Headlining the evening’s music will be Afro Colombian Roots & Rock band WATUSSI, fresh from their successful South American tour.

The Australian premiere of the Chilean comedy Ilusiones Opticas (Optical Illusions) opens the Western Sydney run at Casula Powerhouse, followed by food, drinks and music by the high energy Cuban band Armandito y Su Trovason to welcome the Festival to Western Sydney.

Festival highlights include:

• In association with Ambulante Documentary Film Festival – two powerful new documentaries: El General (The General), winner of the Sundance Film Festival Documentary Directing Award, and El Arbol Olvidado (The Forgotten Tree). Ambulante is a travelling film festival founded in 2005 by Mexican film stars Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, together with producer Pablo Cruz.

• Spotlight on Human Rights@Macquarie University – a series of donation only screenings that includes Mexico’s submission for the Oscars El
Traspatio (Backyard), based on the true story of the Mexican border town Ciudad Juarez where hundreds of women have gone missing since the mid-
90's. • For the second year running screenings at the Mu-Meson Archives, Australia's premier underground cinema and one of Sydney’s hidden cultural gems.

• As part of the Bicentennial focus in 2010, the spotlight is cast on the dynamic Chilean and Argentine film scenes and on September 9, a traditional Mexican The Sydney Latin American Film Festival is a volunteer run, Non Profit Organization, proceeds from the Festival are used to fund grassroots community projects in Latin America, for more information click here.

• The City Closing Night Fiesta is just one of the many special events held at Dendy this Festival. There are also surprise Tango performances at select screenings and a very special Gourmet Cinema event for the Peruvian foodie film De Ollas y Sueños (Cooking Up Dreams); celebrated Peruvian chef Alejandro Saravia will treat filmgoers to a taste of specially-prepared Peruvian appetisers.

• With the support of Dendy cinemas, the free Microcinema sessions are back this year with thought provoking films highlighting immigration and a forum on the protocols of filming in Indigenous communities.

• Local Filmmakers will also be showcased, as they compete for our prestigious Local Filmmaker Award.

• As in previous years, the Festival welcomes audiences to Q&A panel sessions with filmmakers from Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

The Sydney Latin American Film Festival proudly continues to be a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer-run festival, with all proceeds going towards grassroots community development projects in Latin America.

Full Festival program available at www.sydneylatinofilmfestival.org