Baja International Film Festival (BIFF) director Alonso Aguilar-Castillo announced on Sunday (8) that the 2013 iteration will launch on Nov 13 with Juan José Campanella’s Argentinian hit Foosball and unveiled key new elements to the upcoming event.

Speaking at a reception at the Toronto International Film Festival, Aguilar-Castillo said his programmers at the Los Cabos-based event had pulled together Mexican, US and Canadian competition entries.

The full line-up will be announced in due course however two Canadian titles were unveiled – Chloe Robichaud’s Sarah Prefers To Run Matt Johnson’s Slamdance grand jury prizewinner The Dirties.


BIFF 2013, supported by its partners the Mexican Tourism Board, Los Cabos Tourism Board, Mexican Film Institute and Moviecity and Labodigital, will offer in the region of $170,000 in awards.


Among other attractions at the festival will be the BIFF Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund, offering seed money to development projects and a post-production bursary presented in collaboration with Labodigital, and the Bengala Agency Award offering financial grants to projects at script stage. Jurors include Gael García Bernal and Gerardo Naranjo.


Distributors, sales agencies, buyers and delegates will be able to view six Mexican films in post-production under the auspices of the inaugural Work In Progress Mexico initiative.


“Our North American region deserves a platform in which film professional neighbours can explore real channels of collaboration,” said Aguilar-Castillo.

“BIFF’s programme brings together a selection of brave and vibrant independent film voices from Canada, Mexico and the US, combined with industry activities focused on providing useful tools for producers and filmmakers. Los Cabos, the most exclusive paradise at the edge of Mexico, extends its red carpet on the beach for a runway of true film lovers.”

The festival is scheduled to run from Nov 13-16.

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