Whether you are studying abroad in Buenos Aires, living here, or just passing through the city as a tourist, BAFICI is a festival that shouldn’t be missed. The 20th Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFICI) begins today, April 11 and is a great opportunity to experience the latest cinematic innovations that Argentina, and the world, has to offer. BAFICI is one of many must-see festivals in Buenos Aires and is the most important independent film festival in Latin America. This year, the festival has expanded to hold screenings in 36 theaters in 15 different Buenos Aires neighborhoods.
Tickets for most films only cost $40 pesos for students ($55 for general admission). Online ticket sales began on Monday April 2 and can be printed at home or picked up at several different locations. Additionally, there are free outdoor film screenings in Parque Centenario, Costanera Sur, and Parque Saavedra.
This year, the twentieth anniversary of the festival, BAFICI is larger than every before, including 107 world premieres. World-renowned names in independent cinema, John Waters and Philippe Garrel will be screening some of their most popular films, hosting public chats, and even showing some of their favorite gems of Argentine cinema.
The Argentine film industry has historically been one of the three most developed in Latin America (the others being Mexico and Brazil). Argentina was the first Latin American country to win an Academy Award and is the most awarded country by the Goya Awards for Best Iberoamerican Film. Buenos Aires’ film schools have been recognized as some of the best in the world and have built the foundation for the unique film culture of the city. Flim production in Argentina, supported by the State and by many extremely talented and inspired directors and actors, has become one of the most major film industries in the Spanish-speaking world.
BAFICI will have screenings of some old favorites of Argentine cinema as well as a plethora of world premieres of new films. Under the umbrella of independent Argentine cinema, a variety of films can be found, all across the genre spectrum. BAFICI has something for everyone, here are just a few that seem promising and aren’t yet completely sold out:
“Mochila de plomo” dir. Darío Mascambroni– A drama about a twelve year old boy carrying a gun in his backpack after his father’s killer is due to be let out of jail. This director won the Argentine competition in 2016.
“El hermano de Miguel” dir. Mariano Minestrelli- A documentary about Miguel’s journey to find the facts surrounding the detention and disappearance of his brother in 1974.
“La flor” dir. Mariano Llinás- Six stories –four that start but never end, a fifth one that does and a sixth one that finishes without having begun– screened in three parts, but which for one enormous, fourteen hour-long film.
“Jugando con el alma” dir. Christian Rémoli- A sports documentary about the Golden Generation of Argentine basketball.
“Viaje a los pueblos fumigados” dir. Fernando Solanas- This investigative documentary explores the environmental, social, economic and cultural effects of pesticides in Argentina. Fernando Solanas is also one of the most important directors in Argentine cinema.
“Y abrázame” dir. Javier Rao- A horror film about a first date that goes horribly wrong when the woman of Joaco’s dreams suddenly disappears.
So get out there and take advantage of this opportunity to see some awesome independent films from Argentina and across the world. Explore the full line-up of films, chats, and public events here, and we will see you there!
