The Circuit

by Anna Marie De La Fuente and Michael O' Boyle
The inaugural Cancun International Film Festival (CIFF) wrapped Sunday [Nov 18] with the Mexican debut of Mike Newell's "Love in the Time of Cholera."

Fest crowned Brazilian helmer Sandra Kogut's coming-of-age tale "Mutum" best film.

Mexican newcomer Patricia Riggen nabbed the best director nod for her immigration drama "La misma luna" (Under the Same Moon), while Carmen Salinas won best actress for the same film.

Best actor went to Rodrigo Santoro for his portrayal of an obsessive photographer in Brazilian film "Nao por acaso" (Not By Chance), helmed by Philippe Barcinski and produced by Fernando Meirelles.

Camila Guzman Urzua's docu "El telon de azucar" (The Sugar Curtain), about thirty-something Cubans, now mostly in exile, reflecting on their youth, won honorable mention.

Mexico has seen an explosion of new fests in the last few years and this fledgling fest will have a tough time consolidating itself, running only a month after the burgeoning Morelia festival, heading into its sixth year.

"Our challenge is getting people out of the beaches and into the screenings," said fest topper Miguel Ortega who plans to centralize the fest in one of the main downtown hotels of Cancun next year. 

Still, fest attracted an estimated 700 guests ranging from talent, press and some intl film execs. Variety's Up Next event on Saturday honored 10 upcoming Latin American talent which included helmers Nicholas Lopez (Chile), Jonathan Jakubowicz (Venezuela), Rodrigo Pla (Mexico), Rodrigo Bellot (Bolivia), Patricia Riggen (Mexico) as well as DP Alexis Zabe (Mexico) and thesp Marcela Mar (Colombia).