The Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) arrives today to its 62nd anniversary of its founding, a fact that has been celebrated throughout the month of March with a varied program of activities, despite of the inconveniences arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program of actions prepared for this month, and developed under the slogan "Identity and movement for Cuban cinema", allowed the date not to go unnoticed and neither was the coronavirus an impediment to celebrate.

The presentation of its visual identity was one of the most anticipated moments, since, until now, the Institute did not have one, and this, according to its creator, the designer of the ICAIC Information Center, Javier González Borbolla, emerged with the aim of generating a series of actions and supports that contribute to promoting the feeling of belonging of the new generations.

He also pointed out that the visual and conceptual quality of the new visual identity, has rooted as a concept the rising movement, the transformations and updates to which it is always attentive as an institute, which does not stop growing and reinventing itself, likewise, continuity is implicit, respect for ICAIC as the governing institution of Cuban cinema and culture and its strong presence in the history of the country.

The celebration actions began with the delivery of the 2021 National Film Award to the film, theater and television actor Mario Balmaseda, the activities of the celebration program began.

Several Cuban audiovisuals and historical capsules about the Institute were also premiered on the YouTube channel (ICAIC Cuban Cinema), and in conjunction with the Animated Icaic channel (Animated Cuba), ten short films from the vast work of Cuban cartoonist Juan Padrón, tribute on the first anniversary of his death.

A framework agreement for audiovisual production institutions is expected to be signed, and the constitutive meeting of the Cuban Film Commission will be held, and the capital's Charles Chaplin cinema will be reopened, which underwent major repairs.

Today, also as part of the festivities, De Nuestra América will revive Memories of Underdevelopment (1968), by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, and on the 25th, the Palomas Project, Audiovisual Production House for Social Activism, joins the celebration, with the presentation of the documentary Ellas, sus cares y caidores, on March 25, on the YouTube channels of the ICAIC and the Ministry of Culture, respectively.

Following the line of extending the actions for the anniversary throughout the month, next Friday, March 26, a virtual exhibition of anthological posters of Cuban seventh art will be inaugurated, as well as the special presentation of the documentary Volverán los abrazos, directed by filmmaker Jonal Cosculluela.