Miami movie premieres at film festival

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Stars attended the red carpet premiere of a movie about life in Miami.

The movie, "Magic City Memoirs," is a thrilling and captivating tale of three Miami high school friends living in a world of privilege and pain.

The film shows the journey the teens and their friends live every day in a world full of sex, drugs, and hip-hop.

On Friday, the cast and crew attended the big premiere, which is one of the highlights of this year's Miami International Film Festival. "It was a calculated decision. We had other cities, other festivals that were vying for the film as well," said producer Jaydee Freixas.

Dominique Garcia-Lorido plays Veronica in the movie. According to Garcia-Lorido, the movie's script captivated her, and it had the same effect on her famous father, Andy Garcia.

Garcia joined the film and is the executive producer and mentor of the movie. "It made me feel proud that a group of young filmmakers and actors gathered all their resources, and like we say in Spanish, 'a pulmon,' just with the breath in your lungs we got this made," said Garcia.

Natalie Martinez plays Mari, one of the main characters in the film. "To be able to come back home and actually show them what I've been doing and share that with them is probably one of the greatest feelings I've ever encountered doing this," said Martinez.

The film was shot in 27 days and is already getting rave reviews for its content and honest portrayal of life in Miami. "It's just overwhelming, the response we've had. I feel blessed," said writer and director Aaron Salgado.

"Magic City Memoirs" has three showings during the film festival, all of which have already sold out.

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