The Havana Film Festival New York

Traditional Havana Night at Havana Film Festival

New York, 9 March 2010. Two media giants and a prominent journalist will be honored for their exceptional support of the Latino community and the Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) on Thursday, March 18th at A Havana Night Benefit Gala in The National Arts Club 15 Gramercy Park South. HFFNY is proud to honor Telemundo, the oldest Spanish-language television network in the U.S. for its leadership in promoting Latino culture for 45 years and El Diario La Prensa, the largest Spanish-language daily newspaper in the U.S. for its outstanding coverage of the U.S. Latino and Latin American communities. Columnist, Albor Ruiz will be recognized for his excellence in journalism covering social and political issues relevant to the New York community for the New York Daily News.

Cocktails will be at 6:30 pm, dinner at 7:30 pm and there will be a silent and live auction filled with a variety of treasures for everyone including authentic Cuban cigars, rum and movie posters; works of art by renowned Cuban artists – Yoan Capote, Diago, Fabelo and Quintana and emerging local painters; clothing and accessories from Marc Jacobs, Catherine Malandrino, Vera Wang and others; theater tickets; services; exceptional wines and spirits and other luxury items.

Tickets are $250 each and tables of 10 are $2,500. Proceeds from the auction will help support the 11th Havana Film Festival New York April 16th – 23rd.

HFFNY has distinguished itself as the premier New York platform for the presentation of outstanding films from Cuba, America, the Caribbean and Latinos in the U.S. The program reflects the current trends in new Latin American cinema, its critical purpose, and also honors the work of those masters who inspire a new generation of filmmakers. Panel discussions encourage audience – artist dialogue designed to give a behind-the-scenes look at an industry that continues to gain global recognition. Directors, actors and producers also have an opportunity to exchange ideas and expand their vision of Latino culture. This year HFFNY will feature over 40 highly anticipated and influential films from 13 countries and award its first “Havana Star” prize.  For more information and schedules go to www.hffny.com

The Havana Film Festival New York is a project of American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (AFLFC), a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization building cultural bridges between the U.S. and Cuba through programs in the arts.

For further information, contact Eneida I. DelValle at press@hffny.com or login to www.hffny.com/2010/gala