The 44th edition of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema today shows a renewed air, despite the economic difficulties faced by Cuba, the host country, perhaps as never before.

Days before its inauguration, new equipment was refurbished and installed in some of the main theaters in Havana, its usual venue.

Another novelty of the continental film festival in the Caribbean island was the deployment of concerts and film screenings in central locations of this capital.

The company Mambo Producciones promoted the initiative to pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (Icaic), promoter of these events.

From Nueva Trova, son, jazz and popular dance music, the tribute was extended through renowned national artists whose work, in one way or another, is linked to Cuban cinema.

The groups Buena Fe and Sexteto Habanero, musicians David Torrens, Adrián Berazain, David Blanco, Emilio Vega, the duo Iris, Rodrigo García and Rodrigo Sosa, from Argentina, have been taking the stage every day since December 8 for the enjoyment of the population.

Icaic’s celebration was joined by most of the country, where during these days and until December 17, when the event ends, a selection of Corales award-winning films and Cuban classics are being screened at Havana’s most important film festival.

Another event took place on Tuesday, when the Cuban Film Poster Center was inaugurated in the central 23rd Street, in Havana’s Vedado district, in charge of guarding the wide collection of works that received its categorization as part of the UNESCO’s awarding of the Memory of the World status.