The 2012 Miami International Film Festival, which is produced and presented by Miami Dade College, kicked off its 29th year with the Gusman Gala Red Carpet World Premeiere of Mariachi Gringo, by Tom Gustafson. The red carpet went beyond electric with a constant stream of filmmakers and local celebs, an army of paparazzi, all animated by a lively quintet of silver-studded Mariachi players.
Inside the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, the packed house of cinephiles was treated to an emotionally charged performance by Mexican singing sensation Lila Downs, prior to the world premiere screening. The Festival’s executive director, Jaie Laplante, welcomed the packed house to Opening Night and thanked the Festival’s many longtime and new corporate sponsors including: American Airlines, HBO Latin America, the Knight Foundation, GMCVB, The Olympia Theater, FPL, Lexus, Miami DDA among others.
For the Festival’s Opening Night Party at Miami’s historical Alfred I. Dupont building, the space was miraculously transformed into a jazz-era speakeasy reflecting the “dark side of Patrón” with a steady stream of dancers, musicians, fortune tellers replete with tequila shots & slushies and liquored popsicles making the event the hottest ticket in town!
More than 2,000 people mingled among filmmakers, VIPs, the Miami housewives, as others recorded their wild sides at the Patrón XO Café photo booth, and noshed on seared yellowfin tuna created by legendary chef Norman Van Aken of MDC’s Tuyo Restaurant, Kobe meatloaf on truffle mash by Meat Market, and signature dishes from 5 Napkin Burger, AltaMare, Largo Bar & Grill among others.