In five venues across Miami a festival of films will come and go without notice.  The Miami International Film Festival is screening 115 films until Sunday, March 14^th. That means there’s still time for you to step out of the land of the unknowing! I’ve yet to meet a person who knows about MIFF or who’s been enthused enough to see a film.

Here’s what you’re missing out on… 45 countries are represented in the film collection with many of them premieres and highly acclaimed. You may even see a face or two you may know like Andy Garcia, Julianna Margulies and Amanda Peet. Most of the actors you won’t know, some languages you won’t understand (don’t worry there are subtitles!) and none of them will likely be showing at your local cinema again.

The genres, topics and styles of the films vary greatly. Maybe you want to know more about the lives of Hugh Hefner or Pablo Escobar? You could be surprised by the story of male prostitution in Cuba. It’s possible you’d like to see what the director of Kids is up to these days. There’s a flavor for every taste. For all those aspiring film makers there are also free seminars offering insight and film-making knowledge.

Go read some reviews. Watch a couple of trailers. Talk to some film fanatics. You can only sit around talking about Avatar for so long. Expand your horizons a little and I think you’ll be “reel” surprised. Feel free to email me for suggestions. I’ll be postings reviews about the films I’ve seen on my personal blog.