Havana, Nov 11 (Prensa Latina) The nine Cuban feature-films competing in the 37th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema were announced today here by Roberto Smith de Castro, head of the Cuban film institute.
Smith, president of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), said that out of the nine films, four were produced by this institution, while the remaining five are independent films.

The films "Cuba Libre" by Jorge Luis Sanchez, "Bailando con Margot" (Dancing with Margot) by Arturo Santana Vila, "La cosa humana" (The human thing) by Gerardo Chijona and "Vuelos prohibidos" (Prohibited Flights) by Rigoberto Lopez and Julio Carranza, will compete representing ICAIC in the Havana Film Festival, to be held from December 3rd to 13th.

The films "El acompañante" (The companion), "Cafe amargo" (Bitter coffee) and "La obra del siglo" (The work of the century), among others, complete the list of Cuban films for the event, which for almost 40 years has screened the best of Latin American and Cuban cinema.

"This year the selection of the films was very difficult, ICAIC and independent films totaled nine productions, all of great quality", Smith told reporters.

"The participation of Cuban films in the Festival is a privilege, but the promotion of our films should be similar to the other countries' opportunity, it can not be something forced or abusive", he said.

He also said that "El camaron encantado" by Adrian Lopez, "Las aventuras de Juan Quinquin" by Alexander Rodriguez and "Xip Zerep contra los Vampiros Lacteos" by Juan Padron are ICAIC's proposals for Latin American Film Festival.

Finally, Smith referred to the possibility of organizing an event exclusively for Cuban films and local animation production for next summer.