The Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival, a prominent cultural event in Miami and New York, has been present for 28 years now. It has fostered numerous business opportunities, stimulated local economies, and showcased the rich diversity and creativity of many incredible Brazilian artists. This year marks the 28th anniversary of this festival, celebrating Brazilian culture and cinema in New York and Miami, and virtually across the entire country.
The festival was founded by Adriana L. Dutra, Claudia Dutra, and Viviane B. Spinelli with the goal of promoting Brazilian films on a stage that would be outside of Brazil to grab the attention of a more diverse audience.
What sets it apart from other film festivals is its exclusive focus on Brazilian films, giving a platform for filmmakers from Brazil to share their unique stories with the world. The festival isn't just about watching movies; it also includes panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, meeting actors and cultural events that showcase the rich and diverse Brazilian culture.
Image Credit: Branislav Rodman from Unsplash
The 28th Year of Inffinito
The 28th Inffinito Brazilian Film Festival - Miami begins next week, on August 30. It will run from August 30-September 8. Some Brazilian films that will play throughout the days include: “Traces of Love” from Pedro Antonio, “My Name Is Gal” from Dandara Ferreira and Lo Politi, “My Sister and I” from Susana Garcia, “Aunt Virginia” from Fabio Meira, “The Hijacking of Flight 375” from Marcus Baldini, and many more.
The festival is unique because not only does it exhibit Brazilian films to the American market, but it also opens the endless possibilities of bigger business opportunities for these films with an overall international audience. I am Brazilian, so seeing so many diverse and rich movies from my home country get this treatment every year across the United States is special to witness. In difficult times like today, bridging together different cultures through the art of cinema is very important and soothing.
But most importantly, the Brazilian filmmakers and artists, through the Inffinito Festival, are exposed. Exposed in the best possible way as the film market is huge all across the world. Capturing the attention of an international audience can be a game-changer for a filmmaker's career, opening up exciting opportunities for new projects and partnerships.
I'll be attending the festival throughout its run in Miami Beach starting next week. While I haven't experienced it quite yet, I’m super excited to go because I've heard it's everything you could want from such a major event. Like I had stated at the beginning of my article, the has workshops, lectures, and Q&A panels from the filmmakers themselves to an audience. Which, with all this combined, is where you learn, connect with other artists, and network, which in my opinion, is the most important.
Through networking, you meet a person who introduces you to another person who then mentions you to the boss of a big studio company, etc. It’s crazy how it works. And with the Inffinito Festival, that’s exactly how it all operates.
Everybody comes together to obviously celebrate Brazilian cinema but to also incorporate into one another two very different cultures - Brazilian and American. But that’s the thing: it’s not only with the American audience!
Different Cultures Connecting Through the Power of Cinema
While the Inffinito Festival is only present physically in Miami and New York, it has screenings of the films on virtual platforms. Because of this, the audience can become even greater as people from all over the world can have access to this event and its films. I believe that's the best part about this festival: it pulls people from all over the world to witness the richness, diversity, and authenticity of the power and beauty of Brazilian cinema, together.
The ability to connect with a global audience not only enhances the festival’s reach but also fosters a sense of unity and shared cultural appreciation. It’s a celebration that transcends borders and brings people together through the universal language of film. I’m so extremely grateful and certainly looking forward to being a part of this incredible experience and sharing it with others. Here’s to Brazilian cinema!
