The 13th annual International Diaspora Film Festival (IDFF) with a special focus on films from Latin America and legendary Brazilian Director Glauber Rocha, launches November 1-5 at the Carlton Cinema and Innis Town Hall, with an exciting lineup of international films and discussion panels.

IDFF provides Toronto audiences with an opportunity to experience the cultural mosaic of the present world through the medium of cinema. Diaspora refers to the dispersion and migration of a people from their homeland and the communities they form in new lands. The festival explores themes of migration, immigration, and cultural diversity by showcasing works of both established and emerging filmmakers. IDFF pays special attention to independent Canadian filmmakers from ethnic minorities.

This Sunday, November 3rd (6:30 pm, at Innis Town Hall), singer Amanda Martinez appears at the festival after the Canadian premiere screening of Ciclo, a film directed by her cousin Andrea Martínez. The film is about her father and her uncle’s life changing journey: in 1956, the two brothers left their hometown in central Mexico with the desire to cross the continent on bicycle. Eighty-two days later, they arrived in Toronto, not knowing this feat would change the entire route of their lives and of their family tree… Amanda and her band will perform songs from her brand new album Mañana.

Amanda Martinez Photo by Johnny Lopera

IDFF’s line up of films is varied and looks quite interesting. Other films of note include, Goodbye Morocco by Nadir Moknèche; Clandestine Childhood by Benjamín Ávila; The New World by Jaap van Heusden; just to name a few.

The International Diaspora Film Festival runs in Toronto from November 1-5. For more details about it, including screening and ticketing info, visit diasporafilmfest.com. To learn more about Amanda Martinez and hear more of her music, including Mañana, visit amandamartinez.ca.