Official Presentation of the New Edition

Co-directors Gabriel Lerman and Jorge Stamadianos were in charge of revealing significant part of the program, which will begin on November 21 with the opening film, Emilia Pérez, which will represent France for the Oscar first Best International Feature Film. Carlos Pirovano, president of the Argentine Film Institute (INCAA), was present at the ceremony, along with authorities from the National Secretariat of Culture and the Municipality of General Pueyrredón.

During the event, a festival trailer was projected highlighting that the 39th edition of the festival, which celebrates 70 years of history, belongs to the A category of international film festivals, like Cannes, Venice, San Sebastian and Berlin.

One of the co-directors, Gabriel Lerman, said: “Through film festivals, I discovered that one could get to know those who made the films up close. When I joined the Foreign Press Association in Hollywood, I was invited to participate in their festival circuit, but I was never able to go to Mar del Plata because it coincided with the voting for the Golden Globes. It was a forbidden fruit. But now I am here, celebrating my first Mar del Plata on the other side of the counter”.

For his part, the other co-director, Jorge Stamadianos announced that this edition will feature 163 short and feature films and will include tributes to classics of Armenian and Japanese cinema. In addition, he confirmed that the opening film will be Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard, while the closing film will be Puntos suspensivos by David Marqués.

In an emotional ceremony, the Silver Astor for Lifetime Achievement was also awarded to the outstanding actress Ana María Picchio, who went up on stage visibly moved and grateful for the distinction. The award was presented by the renowned director Héctor Olivera, who will also receive a Silver Astor during the course of the festival in Mar del Plata.

Tickets will be offered at affordable prices and can be purchased at the box office of each venue or online. The screenings at the Salas Aldrey will have a general admission of $4000, with sales on the website and at the Paseo Aldrey box office. Screenings at the Astor Piazzolla Hall of the Auditorium will be available for $3000, while the Chauvin Center for Creation Hall will offer tickets for $2500. There will also be screenings at the Teatro Colón with free tickets, available at the box office until they are sold out.

All tickets will also be on sale through the festival's official website.