For the first time in their five year run, the Belize International Film Festival made it to San Pedro, possible only because of the new Paradise Theater at the Reef Village which was inaugurated late last year. A special White Night was celebrated in San Pedro with a red carpet entrance, movie screening and an after party on Saturday, July 17.
The three-day event in San Pedro was kicked off with a White Night affair at the Paradise Theater where guests were encouraged to dress up in white. Attendants did not fail to impress at the red carpet entrance to the theater with their best white island gear as they gathered at the social before screening the featured film of the night “Skin”.
City folk involved with the film festival also attended the White Night, including National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) president Diane Haylock, Film Commissioner of Belize Nigel Miguel and Festival Director Suzette Zayden.
Unfortunately, actor Anthony Anderson, could not make it to Belize to attend the festival, but NAACP award winner and actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell was in attendance to address the audience. Francis “Chino” Eiley and Michael Flores were also on hand to promote their film documentary “Do It” which screened on Monday, July 19.
What followed after the screening of the movie Skin was the after party at the Reef Village The Palm Restaurant and Bar where guests socialized enjoying hours’ devours and drinks sponsored by Traveller’s Liquors and Belikin Beer.
All in all, it was a great first run for the Festival’s presence in San Pedro and very well received by residents looking for new experiences to enjoy.
The Belize International Film Festival 2010 started on July 16 and will run through to July 24 when an awards ceremony and Tribute to Haiti will be held at the Bliss Center in Belize City. The primary goal of the Belize International Film Festival is to provide a space for the exhibition of films from Belize and its neighboring regions of the Caribbean, Central America and Southern Mexico so that these audiences can see their images onscreen and be motivated to create more.
Festival Director, Suzette Zayden, commented that the Belize International Film Festival was very happy to be in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and San Ignacio, Cayo this year, giving the festival other venues of promotion and possible international exposure. (For more information about the Film Festival visit our website.)
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