The University of Miami’s Bill Cosford Cinema is a host venue for the 2011 Miami International Film Festival, which runs through Sunday, March 13. For a complete schedule of MIFF films playing at the Cosford, click here.

This week’s schedule:
Friday, March 11, 7 p.m. – Page One: A Year Inside The New York Times
Friday, March 11, 9:30 p.m. – Amador

Saturday, March 12, 7 p.m.  – For 80 Days
Saturday, March 12, 9:30 p.m. – Intimate Grammar

Sunday, March 13, 7 p.m. – You Are Here
Sunday, March 13, 9:30 p.m. – Small Town Murder Sons

General admission for MIFF at the Cosford is $12. Admission for seniors is $11 and $7 for students. For film descriptions, to purchase tickets, and for more information, visit http://www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-405-MIFF (6433).

The Department of Art and Art History will present a Master of Fine Arts exhibition by contemporary artist Brian Gefen, beginning Saturday, March 12. The exhibition, titled “Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures,” is a progressive series of narrative artwork that grasps ideas from various 20th-century artists to create an endless graphic narrative. The exhibition will be available for viewing through March 25 at the University of Miami Wynwood Project Space, 2200-A NW 2nd Avenue, Miami.

The theme of the exhibition demonstrates a conflicting mythical world in which characters battle one another for food and the basic amenities of life. The mythical world exposes a system of nobility, featuring King Steamer and Queen Tatiana Dee Dee. Untitled Creatures is tribal, with leaders such as Doyleox, Helmet Jack, and Hixon.

Development of Power controls the food and weapons, which are heavily guarded by the security farmers who are constantly on alert because the opposing Untitled Creatures lurk around the land in an attempt to steal food. The two groups cannot agree on anything, and as a result tension grows. This discord is displayed through Brian Gefen’s series of paintings in “Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures.”

Aesthetically, Brian Gefen’s painting surfaces are visually flat but complimented by many strongly contrasting color combinations and lively characters illustrating events in the ongoing, unfolding artistic drama of “Development of Power vs. Untitled Creatures.” Gefen uses an array of mixed media, including acrylic paint, spray paint, markers, photos, computer printouts, and vinyl stickers.

For more information about the artist, e-mail [email protected]. A full schedule of exhibitions can be viewed at www.as.miami.edu/art. In celebration of the exhibition’s opening, there will be a reception for the artist on Saturday, March 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. Other viewing times can be arranged by appointment.

For more information about the exhibition or Wynwood Project Space, call 305-284-3161 or e-mail [email protected].

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute will host “Vitreoretinal Surgery: Fundamentals and Pearls” on Sunday, March 13, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Palm Beach Gardens, 7101 Fairway Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. Designed for ophthalmologists and retina specialists, this CME course will provide a thorough overview of modern vitreoretinal surgery so that attendees will be able to navigate the various surgical platforms available as well as understand how to implement them optimally in a variety of clinical scenarios.

This educational activity is approved for 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Registration is complimentary, and a continental breakfast and refreshment break will be provided. For more information or to register, please contact Sophia Gonzalez at 305-326-6110 or e-mail [email protected].

The Pediatric Nephrology Seminar will take place from March 10 to 13 at the Alexander All Suite Ocean Front Resort in Miami Beach. Sponsored by the Miller School of Medicine and Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Hospital, the conference is an international gathering of pediatric and internal medicine nephrologists from all over the United States and the world. Eight sessions will review a variety of topics, such as the effects of nutrition, minerals, and hormones on the kidney; the nephrotic syndrome; chronic kidney disease; and dialysis and transplantation. In addition, a full day will be devoted to fellows’ career development, research and training initiatives. Two workshops will focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in obstructive uropathies, urolithiasis, and critical care nephrology, and one interactive session will address clinico-pathologic correlations.

Two lectures will cover important topics in transition of nephrology care and dosing of dialysis. All topics selected have high clinical and research relevance and have not been covered by other conferences in recent years. For more information and to register, click here. To register by phone call 305-243-6716 or fax your registration to 305-243-5613.