Miami Skyline 

Wednesday, February 28----The 24th edition of the Miami International Film Festival, which kicks off this Friday evening with the premiere of Paul Verhoeven's World War II epic BLACK BOOK, will showcase 112 films (92 features and 20 short films) during its ten-day run. The heavily international program includes 8 World Premieres, 31 International, North American and US Premieres and 47 East Coast Premieres.The World Cinema Competition features 15 films from all over the world, while the Ibero-American Cinema Competition focuses respectively on dramatic features and features from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries. With at least 40% of its program in either the Spanish or Portugese language, the Festival is indeed the largest and most extensive showcase of Latin American cinema in North America.

Screenings will take place at six venues throughout the city: The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, Regal South Beach Cinema in South Beach, Tower Theater in Little Havana, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema in North Miami Beach, The Bill Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, and The Colony Theatre in Miami Beach. The Festival's main headquarters is The Shore Club on Miami Beach's famous Collins Avenue. In addition, receptions and information events will take place around the city.

Sandy Mandelberger, Miami Online Dailies Editor