Benaim studied International Relations and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and later Film Directing at Camera Obscura, Tel Aviv. In 2004 he founded Apertura Films, an independent production company, in his native Panama, where he is considered a pioneer filmmaker. Known for: Chance, Invasion, Ruben Blades Is Not My Name and Plaza Catedral. Benaim’s films have been Panama’s oficial selection on three occasions for the Oscars. Plaza Catedral was shortlisted to the Oscar 2022, first time in history for a film from Panama. Benaim’s films have been selected at prestigious film festivals such as SXSW, IDFA, HotDocs and True False, and have won multiple awards as well as critical acclaim. His projects have participated at Berlinale, Sundance and Jerusalem Lab. Benaim’s work deals with social issues and touching personal stories told in an unceremonious, sometimes humorous and irreverent tone.
Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara
