TheMiami International Film Festival (MIFF) will launch MIFF Abroad in March 2006,an annual Latin American cinema showcase that kicks off next year with Chile.

Organised in association with the ChileanMinistry of Culture, the Consulate General of Chile in Miami, and emergingChilean producers including Cristina Littin and Ursula Budnik, MIFF Abroadcomprises two components.

The first stage will be festival screenings inMarch, followed in April by a development scheme in which industryprofessionals will travel to Santiago and share their knowledge and experienceswith local filmmakers.

Seven Chilean films will play the festival inMarch, including the world premieres of Alfonso Gazitua's drama El Rey DeSan Gregorio, Pablo Larrian's drama Fuga, and Claudio Dabed's comedy Pretendiendo.

The four other titles are Alicia Scherson'sforeign language Oscar entry Play,the North American premiere of Sebastian Campos' comedy of manners LaSagrada Familia, and the East Coastpremieres of Matias Bize's erotic drama En La Cama and Francisca Schweitzer and Pablo Solis' romance Parentesis.

"[Chile] is a logical and strong choice, given the tremendous resurgence offilmmaking there, with many new directors bringing outstanding first and secondfilms to fruition," festival director Nicole Guillemet said.

"The aim of the programme is to support creative filmmaking from Latin Americaby focusing resources and media attention on the work of first and second timefilmmakers."

"In the spirit of collaboration and exchange, we are looking forward tocelebrating this event around Chilean cinema," Eduardo Machuca, director ofcultural affairs at Chile's Ministry of the Exterior, added.

The 23rd annual Miami International Film Festival will take placefrom Mar 3-12. For more information visit the official website at www.miamifilmfestival.com.