International Latin American Film Festival

Cinema is one of the favorite hobbies of CubansIn the first week of December, the International Latin American Film Festival opens in Havana. The festival has been held since 1979 under the auspices of the Cuban Institute of Arts and Cinematography and is considered the most important film festival in the Spanish-speaking world. The aforementioned Institute also sponsors the awarding of the Coral Award, the equivalent of the Oscar in Latin American cinema.

Films shot in Latin America, by a Latin American director, or containing Latin American themes can take part in the festival.

Fidel Castro himself is a big movie lover. As Lenin once said, “Cinema is the best of all arts.”

Films are played almost all day and all night in more than 20 cinemas in Havana. The ticket costs a penny, so any Cuban can go to the show. Hotel Nacional is the center of public events and shows during the festival, which Fidel often likes to visit.