Miami International Film Fest Opens with Spanish Comedy -MY BIG NIGHT

Celebrating its 33rd anniversary, March 4 – 13, 2016, Miami Dade College’s Miami International Film Festival is considered the top film festival for showcasing Ibero-American cinema in the U.S. This year, Spanish director Álex de la Iglesia’s ensemble comedy MY BIG NIGHT (Mi Gran Noche) will open the 2016 edition of the Miami International Film Festival, and represents the festival’s outstanding Spanish-language film selection.

On Friday March 4th at 7pm, the festival’s Opening Night film will screen at downtown Miami’s Olympia Theater at Gusman Center, located at 174 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131. Following the film, the Opening Night party takes place across the street at the Historic Alfred I. Dupont Building. The party promises to ring in the new festival year with glitz, music, cuisine, cocktails, and dancing with its glittering NYE party theme.

MY BIG NIGHT (Mi Gran Noche) stars Spanish pop icon Raphael (who expected to attend), along with the biggest stars in the Spanish film industry, such as Mario Casas, Santiago Segura, Carlos Areces, Blanca Suarez, Hugo Silva, Carmen Machi, and Carolina Bang. The title of the film is a reference to one of Raphael’s most famous songs, the 1967 hit “Mi Gran Noche.”

In a sly performance of self-referencing parody, Raphael plays “Alphonso”, a legendary pop singer with over 50 years of chart-topping success who is headlining a New Year’s Eve 2016 TV special. The taping of the show and the backstage shenanigans surrounding it drive the comic engine of My Big Night.

Highlights of other Spanish Films at the Miami International Film Festival:

Cesc Gay’s dramedy TRUMAN, starring Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara, as friends who, together their faithful dog, Truman, share surprising moments. TRUMAN is already heralded as a front-runner for the 2016 Goya Awards (Spanish Academy Awards).

Julio Medem’s drama MA MA, starring Academy Award®-winning actress and producer Penélope Cruz, who delivers an extraordinarily emotional performance. Acclaimed director Julio Medem (SEX AND LUCÍA) honors the high melodrama of Pedro Almodóvar and Douglas Sirk.
Emilio Martínez Lázaro’s comedy SPANISH AFFAIR 2 (Ocho apellidos catalanes), the record-breaking sequel to Ocho apellidos vascos, the highest-grossing Spanish film of all-time at the Spanish box office.
Gustavo Ron’s romantic comedy MY BAKERY IN BROOKLYN, featured as part of Lee Brian Schrager’s Culinary Cinema series

Another spectacular event, AWARDS NIGHT will close the festival’s 2016 run. The U.S. premiere of THE STEPS, directed by Andrew Currie, will screen on Saturday, March 12th at 7pm at the Olympia Theater. The ensemble comedy stars Emmanuelle Chriqui, James Brolin, Christine Lahti, Jason Ritter, and Benjamin Arthur.

THE STEPS is the story of two disparate families, with all their issues and baggage, learning to come together over the course of a weekend.

An uptight New Yorker and his party girl sister visit their Dad’s lake house to meet his new wife, and rough-around-the-edges kids. When newlyweds Ed and Sherry announce they’re adopting a child to bring the family together, it has the opposite effect.

Andrew Currie (director), Robyn Harding (screenwriter) and Benjamin Arthur (actor) are expected to attend festival’s Awards Night film screening and PYRAT RUM party.

Advance film ticket packages, plus tickets for the special events, are already on sale at www.miamifilmfestival.com or by calling 1-844-565-6433 (MIFF).