The festival exhibits around 40 films from over ten countries, representing the best contemporary films from across Latin America. Several of these films will have their UK and London premieres at the festival, featuring Proibido Proibir (Forbidden to Forbid) by Jorge Duran (Brazil, 2006), Madeinusa by Claudia Llosa (Peru, 2006), Habana Blues by Benito Zambrano (Cuba, 2005), Rosario Tijeras by Emilio Maille (Colombia, 2005), La Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) by Sebastian Campos (Chile, 2004), En la Cama (In Bed) by Matias Bize (Chile, 2004) and many more.

The documentaries programme will bring the UK premiere of Panico: Cult of Jodorowsky by Olayo Rubio (2005). The Film & Culture events sections will feature panels, retrospectives, interviews and Q&As coordinated by academics, journalists and members of the film industry.

A homage to Cuban director Gutierrez Alea (10 years without Tomas Gutierrez Alea) will include three of his key films Memories from Underdevelopment (Memorias del Subdesarrollo, 1968), Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate, 1994) and Guantanamera (1995) with legendary Cuban actress Mirta Ibarra invited as a special guest for interviews and Q & A’ sections.

The festival will take place from 23 November to 3 December, 2006 at Odeon Covent Garden and Panton Street, Tate Modern, Ritzy and Everyman cinema club in Hampstead. From this year, the festival introduces an Audience Award for the feature films section. All the proceeds from this year’s edition will support CREA Panama (UK registered charity 1096295).

Please visit the website for more details on the film festival and the show times as they become available