The Paradise Theater in San Pedro came alive on July 14th, 2012 for the seventh annual Belize Film Festival and the much anticipated screening of San Pedro based director Ben Popik’s film, The Exquisite Corpse Project. The green carpet was rolled out to welcome guests and friends who came to enjoy Ben’s award-winning documentary on the big screen and show their support for the festival that has been growing in size and popularity every year since its inception in 2005. The show was a huge hit among the viewers who spent the entire time laughing and enjoying the unpredictable antics that unfolded throughout the film.
After the screening there was a live Q&A with the Ben himself as he talked about making a film with a bunch of friends who have their own ideas and opinions and who only get a glimpse of what the other person wrote before they write their portion.
The Exquisite Corpse Project (2012) – Official Trailer from Exquisite Corpse on Vimeo
Of course, once the screening was over it was time to party! The Royal Maya Afterparty was held at Caprice Bar.Grill (inside the Holiday Hotel), with music provided by DJ DZL. Ticket holders made their way to the dance floor, enjoying refreshing beverages and delicious nibbles being circulated by the wait staff.
Several guests took the opportunity to get photographed with Director Ben, sharing their enthusiasm for the movie. “It was so funny! Weird, but funny; I loved it!” said an enthused moviegoer. “I sat through and enjoyed the entire movie. Anyone will tell you, I cannot sit still for an entire film. It was that good!” said another fan. And indeed, internationally, The Exquisite Corpse has generated quite the buzz, taking awards like the Audience Choice Award at Dances with Films 2012 LA Film Festival, Best Documentary and Best Director at the LA New Wave Festival. Great reviews from those in the know, like Film Threat, Moviefone and more can only catapult this great film to a wider audience.
This year the Belize International Film Festival delivered a record number of films from all over the world with over 120 submissions spanning the various categories of Feature Length Narrative, Feature Length Documentary, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, Short Animation, and Music Video. The official selection boasts 64 featured films from 24 different countries including Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
For the very first time, the festival was opened by a feature length Belizean made film titled “2012: Kurse A Di Xtabai” produced by Make-Belize Films. Directed by Canadian Matthiew Klinck, the movie showcases an all Belizean cast starring Nehanda Higinio, Jim Arnold, and Robert Grieg and was filmed entirely on location in Belize and in Belize Creole.
2012: Kurse a di Xtabai – Teaser
The Belize International Film Festival strives to bring together filmmakers and writers from throughout the world, not only to present the Belizean audience with fresh and new films and features but also to help promote and expose Belizean films and aspiring filmmakers here in the country to a wider audience. This year’s festivities included a tribute to making of indigenous films with special emphasis on those that revolved around the Maya culture. The Belize International Film Festival continued on through July 17th, 2012, when the closing and awards ceremony took place at the House of Culture in Belize City.
We at The San Pedro Sun would like to say congratulations to Ben and company for a job well done!
