7th ANNUAL EVOLUTION MALLORCA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

October 25th - 31st, 2018

Events include Opening Night Gala

Gala Award and Tribute to GOYA winning Spanish actress Marisa Paredes

Evolution VISION Award to Cannes winning Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen

Closing Night Evolutionary Award presentation to Academy Award nominated filmmaker Tobias Lindholm

Spanish premiere of Funny Story with writer/director Michael J. Gallagher and lead actors Matthew Glave and Jana Winternitz

Spanish premiere of acclaimed French film M by Sara Forestier

Special Tribute screening of Pedro Almodóvar's acclaimed Spanish cult film The Flower of My Secret with Marisa Paredes in attendance

Special screening of Arctic followed by Q&A with Mads Mikkelsen

Screening of Berlinale hit Away You Go by Philipp Eichholtz

Spanish premiere of acclaimed Documentary George Michael - Freedom

Palma de Mallorca, October 3, 2018: Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival, set in the heart of Mallorca's buzzing and culturally rich center of Palma, has announced its line-up of screenings and events for the festival's 7th edition. The six-day festival will take place, October 25th - 31st, 2018, and includes in-person Gala tributes to actress Marisa Paredes, actor Mads Mikkelsen, and Academy Award nominated filmmaker Tobias Lindholm, a Gala Opening Night event, narrative and documentary competition sections, a Drive-In Cinema section at Port Adriano, a Kids section co-curated by the Andorra Kids Film Festival, and Virtual Reality and collaborative sections with the Festival de Cinema de Menorca.

EMIFF will present 11 films in Narrative feature and 6 films in Documentary feature Competition, 48 international short films, a Music Video section, and many additional nightly events and special screenings. Special events include the Opening Night Gala Screening of Funny Story, produced by Cinemand Productions. Centerpiece Gala will be the 'Evolution Honorary' Award Presentation to iconic actress Marisa Paredes, with a screening of her award-winning film The Flower of My Secret, by Pedro Almodóvar. Other Gala events include the Evolution Vision Award presentation to Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, with a screening of his new film Arctic; Closing Night Evolutionary Award presentation to Academy Award nominated filmmaker Tobias Lindholm; Spotlight Gala Screening of acclaimed French narrative film M, with writer/director Sara Forestier; a Closing Night Gala Screening of Back For Good by German writer/director Mia Spengler by acclaimed German Production company Zum Goldenen Lamm; and an Awards Gala at Gerhardt Braun Gallery.

Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF) is one of the fastest growing and exciting film festivals in the Mediterranean. An excellent hub for networking with some of the brightest minds in filmmaking, EMIFF is as intimate and invigorating as it is breathtakingly gorgeous.

Filmmakers and industry professionals visit this island paradise to discover "the next great generation of filmmakers" The festival presents a diverse selection from world premieres to film festival favorites, short film screenings, Q&As, a Drive-In Cinema section at the Philip Stark designed Port Adriano, an Art & Cine event at the Gerhardt Braun Gallery and Industry events such as the Producers Club at the modern museum of contemporary art Es Baluard.

Said EMIFF Founder and Executive Director Sandra Seeling Lipski, "EMIFF is more than a film festival; it provides a forum for cultural understanding and enriching educational opportunities, focusing on showcasing a diverse collection of both local and international independent films."

"For seven days and nights, EMIFF invites you to join us on a journey to far away lands, intimate stories and unexplored realities. With the intention to encourage positive change, EMIFF's films will push your limits and raise your consciousness. Our goal is to bridge bultures and build a stronger and more purposeful community. I believe we have to recognize each others individual stories and dreams in order to realize, that at the end of the day, no matter where we are from, we are not that different from each other."

"I am particularly excited for our Evolution Honorary Award and Evolution Vision Award recipients this year, globally acclaimed actors Marisa Paredes and Mads Mikkelsen. Ms. Paredes has captivated generations, known around the world for her work over five decades, including captivating audiences in her work with Spanish master Pedro Almodóvar. Her extensive and prolific career is defined by a body of international films defined by risk and prestige. Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen remains a singular European actor who eloquently balances award-wining performances in visionary European films with a successful career in Hollywood blockbusters. From his eloquent work with director Susanne Bier and his Cannes Best Actor winning performance in Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt to his standout performance in the Star Wars series, we celebrate Mr. Mikkelsen as visionary actor who inspires audiences, breaks boundaries and bridges cultures" said Lipski.

About Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival

Now in its seventh year, EMIFF has attracted over 4000 attendees from over 30 countries worldwide. In 2018, EMIFF will continue to expand the presence of international filmmakers and strengthen its position within the worldwide film festival calendar. Since its 2012 inception, the number of films screened has tripled, counting over 100 movies from 25 countries during the 2017 festival program.

Previous guest filmmakers, talent, and industry attendees include: Danny DeVito, Paul Haggis, Oscar Jaenada, Emma Suarez, Manuella Velles, Marc Clotet, Ana de Armas, Colm Meaney, Benito Zambrano, Feo Aladag, Ronald Souse Richter, Lilith Stangenberg, and Claudia Eisinger.

EMIFF is extremely grateful for the incredible support of: 2018 EMIFF Sponsors Rialto Living and MallorcaSite.com. Additional collaborators include Turismo Mallorca, with the support of Port Adriano, Es Baluard Museum, Gerhardt Braun Gallery, Mercedes Auto Vidal, Consell de Mallorca, Islas Baleares Film Commission, Illenc, Teatre Principal and Ajuntamiento de Palma among others.

Festival passes and individual tickets are available now.

Additional Information about Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival is available at www.evolutionfilmfestival.com

Connect with Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival:

https://www.facebook.com/EvolutionFilmFestival/

Twitter: @EvolutionIFF

Instagram: evolutionmallorcafilmfestival

All screenings and events will take place in Palma de Mallorca, at venues including the Teatro Principal, Cineciutat, Rialto Living, Port Adriano, Musuem Es Baluard and Gallery Gerhardt Braun.

Festival Awards will be awarded on October 31st by internationally esteemed jurors in the following categories: Feature film - Best feature film, Best Actress, Best Actor. Short Film - Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Feature and Short Documentary, best Music Video, Best Experimental short, Best feature film Screenplay, Festival Awards -, Best Film Made in Baleares short, Evolution Island Award (best feature film made in Baleares) and the Evolutionary award (best new filmmaker).

The EMIFF award was designed by internationally acclaimed artist GUSTAVO.

GALA AND COMPETITION SLATE BELOW:

OPENING NIGHT FILM

Funny Story, Director Michael J. Gallagher (USA)

After years of being a neglectful father, a womanizing TV star decides to crash his estranged daughter's vacation in Big Sur. FUNNY STORY is a tragicomedy you never saw coming. FUNNY STORY teaches us about the destructive power of narcissism, the healing power of forgiveness, and our willingness to do karaoke after drinking enough tequila.

Filmmakers and talent will be in attendance.

SPOTLIGHT GALA SCREENING

M, Director: Sara Forestier (France)

Lila and Mo meet at a bus stop. Lila has a paralyzing speech impediment. Mo is chatty and exuberant. Lila is preparing for her exams. Mo illegally races cars for a living. Opposites attract, and they fall in love. But Mo carries a secret burden.

CENTERPIECE GALA TRIBUTE & SCREENING - HONORING MARISA PAREDES

'Evolution Honorary' Award Presentation to iconic actress Marisa Paredes, with a screening of her acclaimed film The Flower of my Secret (1995), by writer/director Pedro Almodóvar.

CENTERPIECE GALA TRIBUTE & SCREENING - HONORING MADS MIKKELSEN

'Evolution Vision" Award Presentation to actor Mads Mikkelsen, with a screening of his new film Arctic by director Joe Penna (2018).

CLOSING NIGHT GALA SCREENING & AWARDS PARTY

Back for Good, Director: Mia Spengler (Germany)

Angie, a reality-TV Star just moved back in with her mom, since none of her friends would take her in after she came out of rehab totally broke. Her mom's health is as bad as their relationship and Angie finds herself taking care of everything at the same time.

CLOSING NIGHT AWARD

Evolutionary Award for Academy Award nominated writer/director Tobias Lindholm

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

ARCTIC - Joe Penna, 2018, (Iceland)

A man stranded in the Arctic is finally about to receive his long awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost. He must then decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.

BACK FOR GOOD - Mia Spengler, 2018, (Germany)

Angie, a reality-TV Star just moved back in with her mom, since none of her friends would take her in after she came out of rehab totally broke. Her mom's health is as bad as their relationship and Angie finds herself taking care of everything at the same time.

M - Sara Forestier, 2018, (France)

Lila and Mo meet at a bus stop. Lila has a paralyzing speech impediment. Mo is chatty and exuberant. Lila is preparing for her exams. Mo illegally races cars for a living. Opposites attract, and they fall in love. But Mo carries a secret burden.

ANA DE DIA - Andrea Jaurrieta, 2018, (Spain)

Ana discovers one day that a double identical to her, whose presence does not seem strange, has taken her place. Now, that other person covers all of her obligations in life. She then debates over her lost identity or, on the contrary, tries try to find a new identity outside of everything that used to be her normal life.

DADDY ISSUES - Laura Holliday, 2018,(USA)

Twenty-something stand-up comedian Henrietta hasn't been funny since her dad died. Distraught, in a quart life crisis, she leaves her messy London life behind for LA, to re-examine her past relationships with dysfunctional ex-lovers and friends struggling with adulthood. Henri tries comedically and introspectively to find humour in her darkest moments.

HAWAII - Jesus del Cerro, 2017, (Romania)

Andrei and his father Vasile live in sovietic Romania. Unexpectedly, they receive news from Petrus who was assumed dead and he left them a large heresy. It will be not easy for Andrei and Vasily to take his brother's legacy in a communist country.

AWAY YOU GO (RÜCKENWIND VON VORN) - Phillip Eichholtz, 2018, (Germany)

The young Berlin schoolteacher Charlie no longer wants to continue as usual on her chosen path and asks herself what she really wants and needs.

Premiered at 68TH BERLINALE, Perspektive Deutsches Kino

YOU GO TO MY HEAD - Dimitri de Clercq, 2018, (France, Germany, Belgium)

In a desolate stretch of the Sahara, a mysterious car accident leaves a young woman lost and alone. Jake finds her unconscious, intoxicated by her beauty, he claims to be her husband. He names her Kitty and takes her to his remote desert home to recuperate. Little by little, Kitty begins to fall in love with him. But when shreds of her past begin to surface, Jake increasingly lives in fear of losing her.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION

GEORGE MICHAEL - FREEDOM - David Austin, 2018, (UK)

A deeply autobiographical, feature documentary personally narrated by the late Grammy® Award winner. George takes us through his musical life, his thoughts on his public life and his honestly and openly into his very private life. Musically George talks about his first youth band to teen pop idol to becoming a worldwide icon at the time of "Faith".

OUT OF PLASTIC - Line Hadsbjerg, 2018, (Spain)

A documentary film that sets out to explore the obscure depths of plastics in the Mediterranean. Set in the Balearic Islands, it offers viewers a moment to reflect on the profound presence of plastic in our lives and in our natural environment. Views of sweeping landscapes and mystic ocean depths.

THE SILENCE OF OTHERS - Robert Bahar & Almudena Carracedo, 2018 (Spain)

The stolen children, the disappeared, the graves. After decades of silence, Spanish society faces the ghosts of the dictatorship: tortures, executions, summary trials. Through the stories of those who are seeking answers we find the country who wants to reconcile with its past.

ALL THE WOMEN I KNOW - Xiana Gomez Diaz, 2018, (Spain)

From the personal to the political, experiences of diverse women speaking about how masculinized and violent the streets still are nowadays.

HAYATI: MY LIFE - Sofi Escude & Liliana Torres, 2018, (Spain)

In 2015, Ossamah Al Mohsen and his 8-year-old son were tripped up by a TV reporter on the Hungarian border. The moment was captured on film and it soon became one of the most iconic images of the Syrian conflict. This incident helped Ossamah get a job as a football coach when he reached Madrid. But the rest of his family is still stuck in Turkey.

BALTASAR SAMPER - Victoria Morell Salom, 2018, (Spain)

Baltasar Samper is the protagonist of this film that uncovers the cultural vacuum caused by one of the worst armed conflicts of Europe's recent history. The Civil War and the subsequent exile of more than half a million Spaniards. Samper was one of the most recognized musicians of his time.