Zero Latitude Film Festival

Film lovers will know that there is more than one film festival. Each has its own theme and its own special place in the world of cinematography. The Zero Latitude Film Festival is certainly no different, with the event paying tribute to the Spanish-American side of cinema.

Every year thousands of cinema lovers flock to the Ecuadorian capital Quito. Here they can feast on Spanish-American cinema to their heart’s content. During the ten day festival more than 100 different films are screened to various audiences, doing much to promote and raise awareness for Spanish-American cinema. The films screened are independent art house films that are sourced from around the world and which are thought-provoking and appeal to the audience on many different levels. Spanish-speaking festival goers can expect to enjoy student films, animated films, videos, shorts and feature-length films. The 2009 Zero Latitude Film Festival will be paying special tribute to Mexican cinema and venues participating in the event include Cinemark (Plaza de las Americas), Centro Cultural La Casa de al Lado, Sala Alfredo Pareja (Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana), Cine Ocho y Medio and la Alianza Francesa. Indeed, it seems that the entire city will be buzzing with film reels as people from all walks of life make the most of this great annual event. However Quito is not the only city to host the event; some films will also be screened in Guayaquil, Cuenca and Ambato.

The Zero Latitude Film Festival is appropriately named after its equatorial location. Locally it is known as the ‘Cero Latitud’ Film Festival. It will take place July 9-19, 2009, and the cost will vary from venue to venue. Screening times will also differ and visitors would do well to obtain a program to ensure they don’t miss out on the screenings they most want to see. Children are also not excluded from the activities as a number of special, open-air screenings have been arranged for them. Those in attendance can also participate in workshops and there is plenty of other excitement in Quito during festival time. So if you love cinematography and understand the Spanish language, make sure you don’t miss out on this great annual event.