Introduce Yourself:

Sandro Florin: Raised in Rio de Janeiro, I went to film school in Sao Paulo (FAAP) and New York (New School), where I lived and worked for 14 years, before relocating to California in 2001. I founded FiGa Films in 2006 with my partner, Cuban-American Alex Garcia, to discover and distribute Latin American content in the US and Canada. We have two films at the 5th Jackson Hole Film Festival: from Argentina PROPER EYES, in competition, and from Brazil ALICE"S HOUSE, having a special screening.

Alex Garcia: I am Alex Garcia of FiGa Films, the North American distributor of the Latin American films Proper Eyes (Por sus propios ojos) and Alice’s House (A Casa de Alice), both being screened at this year’s Jackson Hole Film Festival.

How did you become interested in filmmaking?

Sandro Florin: Since I was a child, and then in film school I knew I wanted to work behind the scenes somehow. After noting the lack of good, interesting Latin American films in the theaters in the US, I decided to start a distribution company focusing on the best and new talent from that area. It's been amazing so far, both the quantity and quality of projects.

Alex Garcia: I cannot think of a time that I was not interested in filmmaking. Ever since I saw Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when I was four years old at the Olympia Theatre in Miami, Florida, I was hooked. When I was old enough to work I immediately started saving my money. By the time I thought I was rich enough I packed my bags and moved to LA, went to film school, and then I was lucky enough to get my foot in the door as an apprentice editor at the old Cannon Films. I have been a film editor for over twenty years, on both good and bad movies, until I started my company specializing in something that I feel equally passionate about, Latin American cinema.

Tell us a bit about your inspiration for and vision of making the film...

Sandro Florin: The area we specialized in is so overwhelming talented, and constantly evolving. It's such an inspiration working with these filmmakers and being able to showcase their work, we could not be more satisfied.

What were some of the biggest challenges in making and completing the film?

Sandro Florin: For us, is the afterwards that is the most challenging: convincing bookers, exhibitors, curators and programmers that these films are worth a shot. But we embrace and enjoy the challenge, it feels good to fight a battle like this one.

In the spirit of Jackson, what's your favorite Western?

Sandro Florin: The first film I ever saw in a huge theater in Rio was A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS and it left a huge impression on me. I was only 5 and had no idea it was a Spaghetti Western, but the idea of the West, lawless and wild, was a favorite during my childhood and I and all my friends wanted to be Clint Eastwood when we grow up.

Alex Garcia: Does Blazing Saddles count? Actually, this question is a tricky one because it is the equivalent of asking which is your favorite child. Stagecoach, The Searchers, High Noon, Unforgiven, The Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,...take your choice.