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| A scene from El Camino. Photo: Jacques Loiseleux and Mauro Herce. |
Cinema Spotlight
By Cindy Carcamo
Fall 2008
This fall’s Latino film festivals roll out the reels beginning August 31, and Latino directors, actors, and screenwriters are more than ready to tell their stories.
One such tale is El Camino, featured at the 12th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. Directed by Costa Rica resident Ishtar Yasin Gutiérrez, the movie follows two young Nicaraguan siblings in their daunting and sometimes terrifying search for their migrant mother, who was forced to leave them to find work in Costa Rica.
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A scene from Juan Carlos Martin's 40 días.
Photo: Miguel Lopez | Juan Carlos Martin’s 40 Days, one of 80 films selected from 400 entries for San Francisco’s 12th International Latino Film Festival, also involves a journey: three people in a love triangle take a road trip from Mexico to the United States and back.
CineSol, in south Texas, celebrates its quinceañera and—organizers hope—record-breaking attendance. Programming Director Henry Serrato expects 1,500 attendees, including many who might see August Evening, a film by Chris Eska about an aging farm worker and his young, widowed daughter-in-law.
Serrato considers the festival “a preview of what’s to come in Hollywood. You never know who’s going to be the next Robert Rodriguez,” he says, referring to the director of such films as Desperado.
Calendar of Latino Film Festivals
Festivals are listed chronologically. Please send additional listings to segundajuventud@aarp.org. All festivals are open to the public. —Compiled by Alba Romero
Fall Festivals
CineSol Film Festival
South Padre Island, Texas
September 12-14, 2008
www.cinesol.com
Features opening-night reception and workshops on stunt fighting, acting, special effects, makeup, and more.
Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival
Holland, Michigan
September 12-14, 2008
www.tulipanes.org
Displays art and showcases dances, live music, and Latin American film premieres.
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
Los Angeles, California
September 12-19, 2008
www.latinofilm.org
Presents feature films, documentaries, shorts, venues where filmmakers can get together with buyers, and special sidebar screenings; awards prizes for best film and other categories.
Vistas Latino Film Festival
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August Evening, featured in Texas' CineSol festival,
involves an aging farm worker and his widowed
daughter-in-law. Photo: Yasu Tanida |
Dallas, Texas
September 17-21, 2008
www.vistasfilmfestival.org
Offers nightly receptions, after parties, filmmaking workshops, and Coffee with a Filmmaker sessions.
Boston Latino International Film Festival
Boston, Massachusetts
October 3-12, 2008
www.bliff.org
Presents films produced by Latinos as well as films focusing on the social issues of Latino communities in the United States and Latin America.
Long Island Latino International Film Festival
Stony Brook, New York
September 26-28, 2008
www.mezclamediamarket.com/film-festival.html
Celebrates independent films as well as Latino filmmaking. Q&As with filmmakers, producers, and actors follow screenings.
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
October 13-November 12, 2008
www.fliff.com
Reels more than 175 films from around the world and sponsors film premieres, parties, and receptions.
Chicago International Film Festival
Chicago, Illinois
October 16-29, 2008
www.chicagofilmfestival.org
Offers panel discussions with some directors after their film’s premiere, and a gala with fireworks.
United Nations Association Film Festival
Palo Alto, California
October 19-26, 2008
www.unaff.org
Travels to cities around the world showing films that relate to universal issues in particular countries or to specific topics such as the environment, refugees, and racism.
Virginia Film Festival
Charlottesville, Virginia
October 30-November 2, 2008
www.vafilm.com
More than 150 films and speakers address this year’s theme, “Aliens,” about cinema’s fearful portrayal of immigrants and extraterrestrials.
AFI Fest
Los Angeles, California
October 30- November 9, 2008
www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2008
Presents international films by emerging filmmakers, the latest work from cinema masters, and red-carpet gala premieres, attracting more than 65,000 attendees.
International Latino Film Festival
San Francisco Bay Area, California
November 7-23, 2008
www.latinofilmfestival.org
Features films by Hispanic directors, premieres international films, and pays tribute to Hispanic actors.
St. Louis International Film Festival
St. Louis, Missouri
November 13-23, 2008
www.cinemastlouis.org
Offers critique groups where attendees can discuss screenings in genres such as animation, art, and music.
aluCine Toronto@ Media Festival
Toronto, Canada
November 20-29, 2008
www.alucinefestival.com
Features Latin short films, roundtable discussions about the films, workshops for future film directors, and producers, and artist talks.
Winter Festivals
Santa Fe Film Festival
Santa Fe, New Mexico
December 3-7, 2008
www.santafefilmfestival.com
Premieres New Mexican, U.S., and foreign films, providing a forum for filmmakers, critics, and educators.
Sundance Film Festival
Park City, Utah
January 15-25, 2009
www.sundance.org/festival
Features opening-night movie and reception with film producers plus second-night gala and dessert reception.
Cinequest Film Festival
San Jose, California
February 25-March 8, 2009
www.cinequest.org
Offers a gala and film premiere, a variety of world movie showings, places to meet other moviegoers, and discussions with actors and producers.
Miami International Film Festival
Miami, Florida
March 6-15, 2009
www.miamifilmfestival.com
Showcases international films with competitions for dramatic features, student short films, Ibero-American features and documentaries, and more.
Spring Festivals
CineFestival en San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
Spring 2009
www.cinefestivalsa.org
Features documentaries, short films, student films, and opening reception and gala.
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Austin, Texas
Spring 2009
www.cinelasamericas.org
Screens Latino films in Spanish with English subtitles and holds awards night.
Cleveland International Film Festival
Cleveland, Ohio
March 19-29, 2009
www.clevelandfilm.org
Features gala, tea parties, happy hour at certain restaurants, gospel receptions, and breakfast get-togethers.
San Diego Latino Film Festival
San Diego, California
March 12-22, 2009
www.sdlatinofilm.com
Features social events such as opening- and closing-night galas, after parties, Latino art showcases, and get-togethers at restaurants and night clubs.
South by Southwest Conference & Film Festival
Austin, Texas
March 13-21, 2009
www.sxsw.com
Offers four-day film school workshop, actors guild panels, Austin Studios open house, receptions, and live music.
FilmFest DC
Washington, D.C.
April 16-26, 2009
www.filmfestdc.org
Highlights world cinema and American independent films. Always screens some Spanish-language films, but it’s not primarily a Latino film festival.
WorldFest: Houston International Film & Video Festival
Houston, Texas
April 16-25, 2009
www.worldfest.org
Presents guest speeches, showcases international and U.S. films, and offers post-screening receptions.
Chicago Latino Film Festival
Chicago, Illinois
April 2009
www.latinoculturalcenter.org/filmfestival.php
Screens more than 100 videos and films from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal; attracts more than 30,000 moviegoers.
Summer Festivals
Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle, Washington
May 21 - June 14, 2009
www.seattlefilm.com
Divided into programs such as Documentary, Films4Families, New Directors Showcase, Planet Cinema, and Short Film, with a gala on first night of the festival.
New York International Latino Film Festival
New York, New York
July 2009
www.nylatinofilm.com
Includes screenings throughout the day and evening, industry panel discussions, music showcases, and special cultural events in various Manhattan venues.
These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does not endorse, and has no control over, or responsibility for, the linked sites or the content, advertisements, materials, products, or services available on or throughout these sites.
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