Coral Gables Art Cinema will be among the venues welcoming moviegoers during the 13th annual Miami Film Festival GEMS, an eight-day showcase opening Oct. 29 with international films, celebrity appearances and previews of potential awards-season contenders.

Organized by Miami Dade College, the festival runs through Nov. 5 and features approximately 50 narrative and documentary films from more than 20 countries, according to WLRN Public Media.

Screenings and special events will take place at venues across Miami-Dade County, including the University of Miami's Bill Cosford Cinema, the Koubek Center in Little Havana and Silverspot Cinema in downtown Miami.

Actor John Turturro, known for his roles in "Do the Right Thing," "The Big Lebowski" and "The Batman," will receive the festival's Variety Creative Vanguard Award.

Turturro stars in "The Only Living Pickpocket in New York," which is included in the festival lineup. He will discuss his career and the film during a Nov. 2 conversation with Variety's Ramin Setoodeh.

Kyle MacLachlan, best known for his role in "Twin Peaks," is also scheduled for a festival-affiliated event. He will receive the Precious Gem Award and discuss his memoir, "Fictional Selves," on Nov. 27.

The MacLachlan event, presented in partnership with Books & Books, takes place after GEMS officially concludes Nov. 5.

Spanish filmmakers Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, collectively known as Los Javis, and singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente will receive the Variety Virtuoso Award.

Their film "La Bola Negra," featuring Glenn Close and Penélope Cruz, is among the festival selections. The filmmakers and musician are scheduled to participate in a conversation Nov. 4.

Opening and closing films anchor international lineup

GEMS opens Oct. 29 with "The Debut," a comedy written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg and starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti.

The film follows Mona Friedman, a housewife whose small role in a community theater production leads her into an increasingly intense commitment to method acting and a confrontation with the theater's controlling director.

The opening-night screening will take place at the Koubek Center.

The festival closes Nov. 5 with "Club Kid," the directorial debut of Jordan Firstman.

The film follows a New York City club promoter whose nightlife-centered world changes when a 10-year-old son he never knew he had arrives unexpectedly, according to Miami New Times.

Other featured films include "Paper Tiger," starring Adam Driver and Miles Teller, and "Elsinore," a drama about actor Ian Charleson and his opportunity to portray Hamlet at London's National Theatre while facing an AIDS diagnosis.

The lineup brings together established filmmakers, emerging directors and international productions ahead of the annual film awards season.

"We see the excitement over GEMS build each year because people know they're getting an early preview of the films that will shape this awards season," Miami Film Festival Executive Director James Woolley said in a statement.

Coral Gables Art Cinema schedules "Fjord" screenings

Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave., will screen "Fjord," the Palme d'Or-winning drama from Romanian director Cristian Mungiu, beginning Friday, Oct. 16.

The film stars Sebastian Stan and follows a family living in Norway whose life is disrupted by allegations of child abuse.

The cinema lists Oct. 16 screenings at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., with additional showtimes available through its official website.

The screenings follow a separate Miami Film Festival preview scheduled for Oct. 14 at Silverspot Cinema.

Although the Coral Gables screenings take place before GEMS officially opens, they offer local moviegoers an early opportunity to see one of the international films drawing attention this awards season.

Festival dates and tickets

GEMS runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 5, with additional preview screenings and special events scheduled before and after the festival.

Key dates include:

  • Oct. 14: "Fjord" festival preview at Silverspot Cinema.
  • Oct. 16: "Fjord" begins its run at Coral Gables Art Cinema.
  • Oct. 29: Opening-night presentation of "The Debut" at the Koubek Center.
  • Nov. 2: John Turturro conversation and Creative Vanguard Award presentation.
  • Nov. 4: Variety Virtuoso Award conversation featuring Los Javis and Guitarricadelafuente.
  • Nov. 5: Closing-night presentation of "Club Kid."
  • Nov. 27: Kyle MacLachlan conversation presented with Books & Books.

Ticket prices vary by screening and event, with discounts available to eligible festival members.

The complete lineup, screening locations and ticket information are available at miamifilmfestival.com.