The organisers of the third annual Aruba International Film Festival invite talented filmmakers from the Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands, to participate in the Caribbean Spotlight Series of the AIFF. They are also accepting submissions from continental countries with islands in the Caribbean as well as countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Aruba International Film Festival (AIFF) has, as its mission for the Caribbean Spotlight Series (CSS), to highlight and reward the work of talented local and Caribbean filmmakers, and to provide a platform for networking opportunities with fellow Caribbean peers as well as industry professionals from around the world.  The films for the AIFF Caribbean Spotlight Series aims to bring the finest in new Caribbean cinema to Aruba, giving filmmakers the chance to go head-to-head for cash prizes.  The AIFF CSS committee and jury will consist of local and Caribbean filmmakers, AIFF staff, representatives from prestigious international film festivals, and members of the local press.

The prizes for selected films include a roundtrip airfare to Aruba for two (2) members of the filmmaking team.

The deadline for submissions is 18 May and the entry fee is US$40. Full criteria and requirements for entries are available on the Aruba International Film Festival website:  HYPERLINK “http://www.arubainternationalfilmfestival.com” www.arubainternationalfilmfestival.com.

The event takes place at the Paseo Herencia Entertainment Center, June 22-28, 2012

Distinguished writer, director and producer Claudio Masenza, a revered member of the international film community for over 30 years (bringing with him years of experience as a member of the selection committees for the world renowned Venice Film Festival and Rome Film Festival) is reprising his role as AIFF Artistic Director. He will again be selecting films that reflect the cultural diversity that epitomizes the island of Aruba.

Aruba Film Production N.V. is an independent production company specializing in commercials, photo shoots and feature films. The company was founded by Giuseppe Cioccarelli & Jonathan Vieira.

Giuseppe Cioccarelli is a veteran Line Producer with over 20 years of experience. He started his career in Italy in 1986 at FilmMaster, the biggest commercial production company in Italy.

In 1990 he started to freelance as a Line Producer for some of the most successful commercial and filmmakers in the world, among them Tarsem, Steve Rogers, Michael Bay, Peter Thwaites, Lenard Dorfman, Giuseppe Tornatore, John Hushenurst, Waine Maule, and Louis Pascale Couvelaire. He has also worked for some of the biggest Production Companies such as Radikal Media, Knucklehead, Strawdogs, and Gorgeous.

Some of Giuseppe’s credits include Christmas in India, Manuale d’Amore 2, Grande Grosso e Verdone, Italians [produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis], BlackOut [produced Capitol], and Harb Hatalia [produced by al-Masah], a blockbuster movie that has been seen by over one billion people in the arab world.

Giuseppe has a keen sense for locations all around the world and has traveled the globe in his career and shot movies in Australia, South Africa, Marocco, Dubai, Brasil, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Malta, Philippines, India, Italy, Siria just to name a few.

Jonathan Vieira was born and raised on the Dutch island of Aruba. Mr. Vieira graduated Full Sail University with both a Film & Video Degree and Recording Arts Degree.

Jonathan is a well-known music and television producer in Aruba. Jonathan gained his experience working for some of the leading entertainment companies in the world. Jonathan has produced live events shows in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.

As a composer Jonathan’s work has been featured on MTV, Discovery Channel and Bravo Network. Jonathan has composed for royalty and performed piano concerts for Prime Ministers and Governors. In the summer he serves as the judge on the Aruban version of Amercian Idol called Sparkling Tours.

Combined Giuseppe and Jonathan speak 6 languages and have done business in almost every part of the world. This dynamic team of two, are experts when it comes to the needs of production companies shooting abroad.

AIFF has a mission to encourage, educate and activate young filmmakers. Throughout the Festival, notable film professionals will be conducting master classes on all facets of filmmaking and the creative process.