American International Short Film Festival Returns to Los Angeles With 46 Films From 30 Countries

LOS ANGELES — The American International Short Film Festival (AISFF) returns to Los Angeles September 14–17 with 46 short films representing 30 countries, featuring industry panels, filmmaker networking and a live entertainment program, giving AISFF an international scope while maintaining its focus on emerging talent and short-form storytelling.

The festival, held at City Club Los Angeles, is partnering this year with the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) as part of its programming focused on emerging filmmakers and women working behind the camera.

Founded by David Meiselman, AISFF positions short filmmaking as an entry point for emerging directors, writers, actors and producers looking to build audiences and industry connections.

“A short film can be a filmmaker’s calling card, but getting that film in front of the right people can change the trajectory of a career,” Meiselman said. “We created AISFF to give filmmakers a place where their work can be seen, their voices can be heard, and where they can make the connections that can move their careers forward.”

The festival’s international selection spans genres including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, horror, science fiction, thriller and music video, with awards recognizing filmmaking and performance across multiple categories.

On Wednesday, September 16,  AISFF will combine industry programming with an evening of live entertainment. The afternoon will feature a series of industry panels, culminating at 4 p.m. with a conversation featuring Peter Baxter, founder of the Slamdance Film Festival. 

The entertainment lineup includes musical performances by Adelaide Pilar and Las Chingonas, followed by a fashion presentation featuring Los Pachucos of Fullerton. The evening will also feature a burlesque performance by Ruby Champagne.

AISFF’s partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors further emphasizes opportunities for women filmmakers and visibility for women working in directing.

The combination of film screenings, industry programming and live performance gives AISFF a broader festival format, bringing filmmakers and audiences together beyond the traditional screening schedule.

For participating filmmakers, the festival’s four-day program includes screenings, networking opportunities, industry discussions and awards recognizing work across a range of categories.

AISFF 2026

American International Short Film Festival
September 14–17, 2026
City Club Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

?? TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. Film fans, filmmakers and industry professionals can get tickets and view the complete festival schedule at AISFFLA.org.

Don’t miss four days of international short films, filmmaker conversations, industry panels and live entertainment in Los Angeles.

The post AISFF Puts Emerging Filmmakers Center Stage first appeared on .

LOS ANGELES — Filmmaker Joaquim Adrià Pujol is bringing his acclaimed documentary Màquina to Hollywood, with the 90-minute film set for its Los Angeles premiere Sunday, September 13 at 9:45 p.m. during the Indiewood Film Festival.

The Spanish- and English-language documentary takes an unflinching look at addiction, alcoholism and generational trauma through an unusually personal lens: Pujol documents his own father and brother as they travel across the American West in an aging Winnebago en route to Colorado for ibogaine-assisted addiction treatment.

What could have been framed as a conventional addiction-recovery documentary instead becomes an intimate family drama — one that asks difficult questions about responsibility, codependency and the emotional toll of trying to save someone you love.

Pujol directs, produces and shoots the film, placing himself directly inside the story alongside his father, Xavi Pujol Berlanga, and brother, Marcel Enric Pujol. The result is a portrait of a family confronting its history in real time, with the filmmaker capturing the arguments, awkward silences, humor and tenderness that accompany their journey.

Even the vehicle becomes part of the narrative.

As the aging Winnebago repeatedly breaks down along the route, it emerges as a visual metaphor for a family struggling to keep itself moving forward.

Màquina also avoids presenting psychedelic-assisted treatment as a simplistic answer to addiction. Instead, the film examines what happens before, during and after the decision to seek help — and the complicated emotional terrain occupied by the people surrounding an addict.

That approach has already drawn critical attention. Film Threat gave the documentary a 9/10, calling it “a parade of stunning visual metaphors for the struggle with addiction.” The film has also received positive reviews from DMovies and High on Films.

At its heart, however, Màquina is a father-and-son story.

Pujol’s decision to make himself part of the film allows the documentary to move beyond the traditional observer role, confronting the inherited wounds, family dynamics and blurred boundaries that can accompany addiction. The film explores the difficult distinction between supporting someone and becoming consumed by their struggle.

The Los Angeles premiere comes as the documentary continues to build attention for its raw, observational approach and its refusal to package recovery into an easy Hollywood narrative.

The film features Xavi Pujol Berlanga, Marcel Enric Pujol, Joaquim Adrià Pujol, Charles B. Shaw, John Dias, John Anthony Dias, Hana Farky, Dennis Bouverie, Gerardo Ortiz, Bryan Davis and Shawn Johnson.

Vesta Tu?kut? produces alongside Pujol, with Silvija Vilkait?-Ramanausk? editing and acclaimed composer Jozef van Wissem providing the score. Pujol also serves as cinematographer.

Màquina is a 2025 U.S. documentary, presented in English and Spanish, with a runtime of 90 minutes.

Maquina — LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

Indiewood Film Festival
Sunday, September 13, 2026
9:45 p.m.
Hollywood, California

For Pujol, the journey at the center of Màquina is ultimately about more than addiction treatment. It is about the machinery of family itself — how it breaks down, how people carry one another, and whether something damaged can still be repaired.

The post Joaquim Adrià Pujol’s Addiction Doc ‘Màquina’ Set for LA Premiere at Indiewood Film Festival first appeared on .

The Salvadoran artist teams with Argentinian filmmaker Francisco Passuelo for ‘Crying at the Dairy Queen,’ signaling a new era of cross-disciplinary Latino storytelling.

The traditional music video has always been a powerful promotional tool. But for a new generation of artists, it can be something much bigger: a short film, a piece of visual storytelling, and an extension of the artist’s identity.

Salvadoran singer-songwriter JANDROU is betting on that idea.

Ahead of the release of his upcoming single Crying at the Dairy Queen, JANDROU has partnered with Argentinian filmmaker Francisco Passuelo to create a cinematic short film inspired by the song. And while the details of the narrative are being kept under wraps, the creative decision itself says plenty about where JANDROU wants to take his career.

This isn’t being positioned as simply another music video. It’s filmmaking.

When Music Meets Cinema

JANDROU has conceived the project as a standalone cinematic work in which the song and narrative exist on equal footing. The objective is to create an emotional visual experience that can stand on its own while expanding the story behind the music.

That distinction matters.

The music industry has increasingly become a visual business. Artists aren’t simply releasing songs; they’re creating aesthetics, characters, narratives and entire worlds that extend across music videos, film, social media and live performance.

For independent artists, that can be particularly powerful. Without the machinery of a major studio or label behind every creative decision, the ability to build a distinctive visual identity can become part of the brand itself.

JANDROU appears to understand that. And he has chosen a filmmaker rather than simply a music-video director to help execute the vision.

Enter Francisco Passuelo

Born in Buenos Aires and based in Vancouver since 2010, Passuelo brings an international filmmaking perspective to the project.

He is the founder of Latin Canada, a production company dedicated to amplifying Latin voices in film. His documentary Luis at Home has also been making its way through the international film festival circuit.

That background gives the collaboration an interesting dimension.

Passuelo isn’t coming into the project simply to translate a song into images. His work is rooted in character, intimacy and emotional storytelling—the very qualities JANDROU wants to bring into the project.

Together, the two artists represent a broader Latin American creative ecosystem that increasingly operates beyond borders. Los Angeles. Buenos Aires. Vancouver. Different cities, different industries, one increasingly connected creative community.

The Latino Creative Economy Is Crossing Industries

For decades, Latino artists have often been placed into narrowly defined categories: singer, actor, filmmaker, journalist, producer. But today’s creative economy is increasingly dismantling those boundaries.

A musician can become a filmmaker. A filmmaker can become a producer. A producer can build a media company. And an artist can develop an entire intellectual property universe around a song, character or story.For Latino creatives, that cross-pollination is particularly significant.

The industry has spent years talking about the need for greater Latino representation on screen. But representation isn’t only about who appears in front of the camera. It is also about who controls the narrative behind it.

Who writes the story.

Who directs it.

Who produces it.

Who owns the creative vision.

JANDROU’s collaboration with Passuelo puts two Latin American creatives in those positions.

A Bigger Canvas for “Handsome in Pink”

The short film also arrives as JANDROU prepares his debut album, Handsome in Pink.

The project is being developed with British producer Dylan Cooper, whose credits include Post Malone, Charli XCX and Ashnikko, as well as Canadian producer Joshua Eastman.

The international makeup of the team mirrors the increasingly global nature of JANDROU’s artistic ambitions. But the strategy goes beyond assembling an impressive list of collaborators.

JANDROU appears to be constructing an identity. And that identity isn’t confined to a playlist.

By creating a cinematic piece around “Crying at the Dairy Queen,” he is giving audiences another way into his music—and potentially creating a visual language that can follow him beyond the debut album.

That becomes particularly important for an independent artist building toward greater industry recognition and Grammy consideration. In an overcrowded music marketplace, the question isn’t simply whether an artist can make a good song. It’s whether audiences can remember the world surrounding it.

The Story Is Still a Secret

For now, JANDROU and Passuelo aren’t revealing what actually happens in Crying at the Dairy Queen. And perhaps that’s the point.

In an era when much of the entertainment industry is built around immediate reveals, trailers, clips and social media teasers, allowing the story to remain a mystery creates its own anticipation.

What we do know is that JANDROU isn’t approaching his upcoming release as a one-off song with a video attached. He’s thinking cinematically. That may prove to be one of the more interesting aspects of his evolution.

Because the future of music may not belong solely to artists who can deliver the next hit. It may belong to those who understand how to turn a song into a story—and a story into a world audiences want to enter.

For JANDROU, Crying at the Dairy Queen could be the beginning of that world.

And if the short film delivers on its promise, audiences may discover that the most interesting thing about the song isn’t just what they’re hearing.

It’s what they’re about to see.

The post JANDROU Isn’t Just Making a Music Video—He’s Building a Cinematic World first appeared on .

The Cuban singer-songwriter unveils an album celebrating female strength, Latino roots, and the power of turning adversity into opportunity.

LOS ANGELES – MEXICO CITY — At a time when the music industry often prioritizes the next viral moment, Yamila Guerra represents a different kind of success story—one built through perseverance, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to her cultural heritage.

The Grammy-winning Cuban singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur has released Limonada, an album that serves as both a celebration of her Cuban heritage and a testament to resilience. Filled with themes of female empowerment, cultural pride and self-discovery, the project reflects Guerra’s belief that life’s greatest obstacles can become its greatest opportunities.

Rather than chasing fleeting commercial trends, Guerra has spent her career remaining true to herself. Classically trained in Cuba from an early age, she found in music not only a creative outlet but also a refuge and a bridge that allowed her to connect with audiences around the world. That authenticity has become the foundation of a career now recognized internationally.

Rather than following fleeting industry trends, Guerra has remained focused on authenticity—a philosophy that has guided her from emerging artist to Grammy winner.

“Awards are wonderful, but what truly lasts is the impact you can have on other people’s lives through your music,” Guerra says.

That perspective resonates throughout Limonada, whose title draws inspiration from the familiar saying about turning lemons into lemonade. For Guerra, the phrase represents the resilience that has defined both her personal life and professional career.

The album combines vibrant Cuban rhythms with contemporary production, creating a sound that is both rooted in tradition and accessible to today’s audiences. Across its songs, Guerra explores themes of family, identity, perseverance, self-love and female empowerment, offering listeners music that is as uplifting as it is personal.

One of the album’s strongest messages is its celebration of women’s strength in all its forms.

“Women don’t have to choose between being strong or being sensitive—we can be both,” Guerra has said, a philosophy that echoes throughout the project.

As more artists continue to reshape the global music landscape by embracing their cultural identities rather than distancing themselves from them, Guerra’s latest release stands as another example of the power of storytelling rooted in heritage. Her music reflects not only the rhythms of Cuba but also the experiences shared by many Latinos navigating identity, family and resilience across generations.

For Latin Heat readers, Limonada arrives at a moment when Latino artists are increasingly redefining success on their own terms. Rather than chasing viral fame, Guerra’s career has been built on consistency, artistry and purpose—qualities that have earned her respect both within the industry and among audiences worldwide.

With Limonada, Yamila Guerra offers more than an album. She delivers an invitation to celebrate Latino culture, embrace life’s challenges with optimism and remember that resilience is often life’s greatest masterpiece.

The release marks another milestone for this Cuban artist whose voice continues to bridge tradition and modernity while reminding listeners that authenticity never goes out of style.

The post Grammy Winner Yamila Guerra Turns Resilience Into an Anthem of Hope With ‘Limonada’ first appeared on .

Dominican-American filmmaker’s feature directorial debut lands global distribution with One Tree Entertainment as romantic comedy prepares to bow at the Dominican Film Festival in New York.

For independent filmmakers, securing worldwide distribution before a festival premiere is the kind of momentum most dream about. For Dominican-American actress, writer, director and producer Yissendy Trinidad, that dream has become reality.

Trinidad’s feature directorial debut, One Guy, Too Many Dates, has been acquired for worldwide distribution by One Tree Entertainment ahead of its official festival premiere on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Dominican Film Festival in New York. The film will screen at 7 p.m. at AMC 34th Street 14, placing the romantic comedy in front of audiences at one of the country’s leading showcases for Dominican cinema.

The acquisition represents a significant career milestone for Trinidad, who wears nearly every creative hat on the project—writing, directing, producing and starring in the independently financed feature. The accomplishment underscores the growing presence of Latina filmmakers building careers outside the traditional studio system while creating commercially viable, multicultural stories.

Best known for her acting work in Babylon, Mayans M.C., and You’re Not Alone, Trinidad has steadily expanded her filmmaking résumé over the past decade. In addition to acting, she has worked behind the camera as a First Assistant Director on Tubi Original productions while directing commercial campaigns for brands including El Cristiano Tequila and DNERO Wallet.

With One Guy, Too Many Dates, Trinidad takes her most ambitious step yet through her Latina-owned production company, Trinidad Entertainment Group, which she founded to develop multicultural content and increase opportunities for underrepresented storytellers.

The romantic comedy follows Emily, a software engineer frustrated by the pitfalls of modern dating. Determined to change the game, she creates an innovative dating app designed to help people find meaningful relationships. But when several users discover they’ve all been dating the same man, Emily finds herself at the center of an increasingly chaotic situation that leads to unexpected friendships, personal revelations and a fresh perspective on love.

While delivering the humor and charm expected from the genre, the film also explores timely themes surrounding technology, identity, female empowerment and the realities of dating in the digital age through a diverse ensemble cast.

For Latino filmmakers, distribution remains one of the industry’s biggest hurdles, making the deal with One Tree Entertainment especially noteworthy. Landing global distribution before a festival premiere signals growing interest in independent films that reflect multicultural audiences while offering broad commercial appeal.

Trinidad is no stranger to the festival circuit. Her award-winning short film Doumi Girls earned recognition at festivals across the United States, Europe and the Dominican Republic, collecting honors including Best Director, Best Drama and Best Diaspora Short Film.

Now, with One Guy, Too Many Dates heading into its New York premiere backed by an international distribution agreement, Trinidad joins a new generation of Latina filmmakers proving that independent voices can successfully move from the festival circuit to audiences worldwide.

The film premieres Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Dominican Film Festival in New York.

The post Yissendy Trinidad Scores Worldwide Distribution Deal Ahead of ‘One Guy, Too Many Dates” Festival Premiere first appeared on .

Xolo Maridueña Returns to the DC Universe

Blue Beetle is back! Xolo Maridueña will officially reprise his role as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle in DC Studios’ upcoming Superman: Man of Tomorrow, set to hit theaters July 9, 2027. The announcement marks Maridueña’s first appearance in the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran, reaffirming Blue Beetle as an important part of DC’s future. For Latino fans, it’s another major win as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable Latino superheroes continues his journey on the big screen. ?

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Rakes in $264.1 million With Latinos cast in Major roles

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has become one of the year’s biggest box office successes, earning $264.1 million and demonstrating once again that audiences will show up for epic storytelling. But beyond the impressive numbers is another story worth celebrating—one that has often been overlooked in Hollywood.

This time, Latinos weren’t simply part of the background. They were cast in meaningful, high-profile roles throughout one of the year’s biggest studio films.

John Leguizamo he reflects on his odyssey in Hollywood on fighting for Latino representation:

“It’s always been a battle. Hollywood is not the most accepting place. Even though we Latin people are 30% to 40% of the box office — and a third of streamers — we’re the most aggressively underrepresented group in America.”

At the end of the day representation isn’t charity. It’s good storytelling, and it’s also good business.

And The Odyssey could be the proof that it works at the global box office.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Academy Museum Announces Cinelandia Exhibition Celebrating Mexican American Cinema

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will shine a long-overdue spotlight on the rich legacy of Mexican American filmmaking with Cinelandia: Celebrating Mexican American Cinema, opening September 25, 2027. The major exhibition will trace more than a century of cinematic history, showcasing the contributions of Mexican American, Chicano, and Mexican filmmakers through hundreds of costumes, props, photographs, posters, and film artifacts from classics including La Bamba, Selena, Zoot Suit, El Norte, Coco, and Y Tu Mamá También. Organized into five thematic galleries, Cinelandia explores the evolution of representation, identity, and cultural influence in American cinema. The exhibition will remain on view through July 23, 2028. TICKETS HERE

Imagen Awards Nominations

Andy Garcia Receives Lifetime Honor at 41st Annual Imagen Awards

Hollywood icon Andy Garcia will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 41st Annual Imagen Awards, recognizing a career that transpired Latino representation in entertainment for more than four decades.

The Imagen Foundation announced this year’s nominees on July 16, with Apple TV+’s Acapulco leading the field with 13 nominations. The annual awards ceremony will take place on Friday, August 21, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where 25 competitive awards and three special achievement honors will be presented. Full list of nominees HERE

The “Shorts” End of the Imagen Awards

Also congrats to writer/Director Joey Media whose short film Roxy & The Man (Bronx Boy Entertainment, Bing Productions) a story about second chances—especially for those society has already given up on, was nominated for Best Short Film Imagen Award.. Other nominees in this category include Enseñame Como Morir (Isosceles Media, Latino Film Institute); Hangtown (1491 Films LLC, Flor de Luz); Las Cosas Que Brillan (Sotomayor Productions, Maestro Filmworks, Big Howl, Big Picture Alliance), The Apricot (Fishboy Animation, Latino Film Institute, ¡Viva Calavera!), The Birthday Gift (A Season of Rain, Teatro Vista Productions). Congrats to all the nominees!

NOTE: The Latino Box Office Effect™ is an ongoing Latin Heat analysis measuring how Latino representation and marketing influence audience engagement and commercial success.

The post The HEAT Sheet: Xolo Back in Blue; ‘The Odyssey’ Epic Casting; Lifetime Imagen To Andy Garcia; Mexican American Film At Academy Museum first appeared on .

Season one currently airing on Netflix

By Judi Jordan for Latin Heat

For a low-key guy, Brazilian-American director-producer Antonio Campos sure knows how to find the beast in his stars. In Netflix’s riveting eight-part limited series The Beast in Me, Campos guides Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys into a psycho duel that explores one of life’s most universal terrors: the bad neighbor. Not just the leaf-blower-at-7-a.m. kind. The “powerful billionaire suspected of murdering his wife moves in next door and takes an alarming interest in you” kind.

Danes plays Aggie Wiggs, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer shattered by the death of her young son, divorced from her wife Shelley. Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, an almost-charming, lethal real estate billionaire who gate-crashes the community with wealth, menace, and the steely certainty of a man born without a conscience.

Campos understands that dread does not always need a knife, a shadow, or a jump scare. Sometimes it is a property line. A lunch invite. A casual chat where dialog lands like a hammer.

“I do really enjoy, as an audience member, being on the edge of my seat or squirming a little bit,” Campos told Latin Heat. “And so when I can create that feeling, I’m really excited to figure out new ways to do it.”

From the opening episode, which Campos directs with remarkable control, The Beast in Me makes the audience lean in and pull back at the same time. Aggie’s house becomes less a refuge than a pressure chamber. Nile’s proximity is the show’s first act of violence.

Campos directed the first two episodes, then returned for the final two, giving the series its visual spine: the unsettling beginning, the tightening noose, and the moral reckoning.

“In TV, you take that two and a half hours and you’re stretching it out over eight episodes… I really enjoyed the first two because it’s all about questions… and I really enjoyed the last two because it’s kind of tying it all up.”

The Beast in Me arrives with a serious creative pedigree. Created by Gabe Rotter, with Howard Gordon as showrunner, writer and executive producer, the series has the kind of writers’ room and producing bench that sounds like a prestige television dinner party: Gordon’s credits include Homeland, 24 and The X-Files; Rotter also comes from The X-Files world; Daniel Pearle brings American Crime Story credentials; and the executive producers include Claire Danes, Jodie Foster and Caroline Baron.

For Latino film buffs, Campos’ directing has a distinct thruline: his indie film creds and prestige TV work affirm his gift for varied shades of darkness. His debut feature, Afterschool, premiered at Cannes, establishing Campos’ eye for alienation, surveillance, and the psychic violence of modern life. Simon Killer pushed deeper into the mind of a charming young sociopath, while Christine, starring Rebecca Hall, flipped real-life tragedy into a crushing portrait of ambition, isolation, and implosion. Campos’ work in Netflix’s star-packed Southern Gothic The Devil All the Time is worth a revisit: damaged people, moral rot, violence waiting politely in the next room. He also directed the pilot of The Sinner and created, wrote, directed and executive produced HBO Max’s The Staircase.

A common thread runs through his work: Campos is drawn to people trapped inside their own stories — by grief, obsession, guilt, ambition, or the terrible private logic that allows them to justify the unjustifiable. He is interested in people who believe they have reasons.

Campos does not call himself a horror director, exactly. But when asked whether he would ever consider directing horror, his answer was immediate.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “I think about it a lot. I love horror.”

After The Beast in Me, that sounds less like a confession than a promise.

The Beast in Me the eight-episode dramatic thriller premiered in late 2025 and is available to stream globally on Netflix.

The post Antonio Campos Finds the “Beast” Next Door first appeared on .

Get ready for a summer evening where stand-up comedy meets the soundtrack of your life as comedian Aida Rodriguez takes the stage at The Ford with her original live experience, The Remix, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 8 p.m.

Presented by the LA Phil in partnership with Aida Rodriguez and Marissa Herrera De Mi Alma Productions, The Remix promises far more than a traditional comedy show. Hosted by Rodriguez—fresh off the success of her new HBO Max comedy special Fighting Words—the event blends stand-up comedy, iconic music, celebrity storytelling, and audience interaction into an immersive live experience under the stars.

Rodriguez has long been recognized for her fearless comedy, honest storytelling, and ability to connect deeply with audiences by addressing life, family, culture, and social issues with humor and authenticity. The Remix reflects that same spirit by bringing together diverse voices through comedy and music in an atmosphere designed to celebrate community and shared experiences.

Joining Rodriguez is one of today’s most distinctive comedic voices, Frankie Quiñones, whose unforgettable characters and culturally inspired humor have made him a fan favorite. Setting the musical vibe throughout the evening is acclaimed DJ D-Nice, whose signature ability to unite audiences through music transforms the event into a celebration that feels part comedy show, part concert, and part party.

Adding another exciting layer to the evening is a celebrity open mic featuring an impressive lineup of entertainers including Justina Machado (One Day at a Time, and the Broadway play Real Women Have Curves), Ana Ortiz (Imperfect Women), Judy Reyes (ABC’s High Potential & Scrubs), Marlyn Ortiz (Puerto Rican-born dancer, aerialist, choreographer), Sarah Jones (Playwright & Broadway actress), and Grammy Award-winning singer Macy Gray. Their unscripted appearances promise spontaneous moments, personal stories, and plenty of laughs, making every performance unique.

The Ford makes for a magical night under the stars. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, The Ford has become one of Southern California’s premier outdoor entertainment venues. The historic open-air amphitheater offers an intimate setting with fewer than 1,200 seats, ensuring every audience member enjoys an exceptional view of the stage.  Audiences are welcome to bring their own food an drinks.

The performance is supported in part by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, reinforcing a commitment to making high-quality arts programming accessible to audiences throughout Los Angeles County.

Event Information

What: Aida Rodriguez’s The Remix

When: Friday, July 17, 2026

Time: Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; Show begins at 8:00 p.m.

Where: The Ford, Los Angeles

Tickets are available at TheFord.com or by calling 323-850-2000.

Whether you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, live music, or simply looking for an unforgettable summer night under the stars, The Remix promises an evening filled with laughter, music, surprise celebrity appearances, and the kind of shared energy that only live entertainment can deliver.

The post Aida Rodriguez Brings The Remix to The Ford for an Unforgettable Night of Comedy, Music and Celebrity Surprises first appeared on .

Runs April 24- May 3, 2026. Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 3 p.m.

There are love stories—and then there are Love Struck.

In this daring, funny, and emotionally layered theatrical production, audiences are invited into the intimate world of Rachel and Laura—two women whose passionate romance has evolved into something deeper, more complicated, and ultimately more mundane. One American, the other Cuban, their relationship becomes a prism through which questions of ambition, identity, and belonging are explored with wit and candor.

At the center of it all is Odalys Nanin—a powerhouse in the Latinx and LGBTQ theater communities—who co-writes, co-directs, and stars as Laura. With a career spanning more than two decades, Nanin has built a reputation not just for provocative storytelling, but for consistently delivering award-winning work that resonates across cultures and communities.

A Story of Passion—and Its Aftermath

Rachel (played by Lizette Santiago) and Laura have been together for three years. What began as a whirlwind of “white-hot lust” has settled into a comfortable domestic life in Los Angeles. Their relationship is playful and adventurous—they experiment with role-playing, cosplay, and erotic accessories—but beneath the surface, tensions are building.

Laura’s professional success contrasts with Rachel’s growing insecurities. As Rachel yearns to match her partner’s accomplishments, she also begins to feel the pull of her roots in New York. What emerges is a deeply relatable question: Can love alone sustain a relationship when ambition, identity, and longing pull in different directions?

A Legacy of Theatrical Excellence

Nanin’s body of work reads like a canon of bold, unapologetic storytelling. From Frida: Stroke of Passion to Garbo’s Cuban Lover and The Nun and the Countess, her plays have pushed boundaries while celebrating complex, often underrepresented voices. Her honors include the prestigious Nancy Dean Playwriting Award, and her influence extends beyond the stage as the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Macha Theatre/Films.

Her continued success is no accident. Nanin has a rare ability to merge sensuality, humor, and cultural identity into narratives that feel both intimate and universal. With Love Struck, she revisits one of her earliest works—first produced in 1997—and reintroduces it to today’s audiences with renewed urgency and relevance.

A Dynamic Creative Team

Joining Nanin is co-director Angela Nicholas, a multi-hyphenate talent who brings experience as an actor, choreographer, playwright, and designer. Her previous collaboration with Nanin on Garbo’s Cuban Lover adds a layer of creative synergy to the production.

Co-writer Marie Barrientos, known for her work on Law & Order and Another World, contributes a nuanced perspective that enriches the script’s emotional depth and authenticity.

Meanwhile, Santiago brings both vulnerability and strength to Rachel—a role that reflects her own award-winning trajectory, including recognition at the Short and Sweet Hollywood Festival and standout performances in La Wija and Whiskey Hollow Road.

A Pioneering Story—Then and Now

When Love Struck first premiered in 1997, it broke ground as a lesbian romantic comedy at a time when such stories were rarely told on stage—let alone with humor, sensuality, and cultural specificity. Today, its revival feels both celebratory and necessary.

This is not just a story about love—it’s about the evolution of love. It’s about what happens after the passion settles, when real life, real dreams, and real differences come into play.

It’s sexy, yes. It’s funny, absolutely. But most importantly, it’s real.

As Nanin continues to build on her award-winning legacy, Love Struck stands as a testament to her enduring voice—one that refuses to be boxed in and continues to evolve with every production.

Written by Odalys Nanin and Marie Barrientos. Directed by Odalys Nanin and Angela Nicholas. Presented by Macha Theatre/Films. A visiting production at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble.

At the Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. Free parking onsite. Admission: $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Box Office: (310) 477-2055

ONLINE TICKETING: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-struck-tickets-66479031573

The post Love, Desire & Identity Collide in ‘Love Struck’—A Bold Return from Award-Winning Visionary Odalys Nanin first appeared on .

The statement from the Cesar Chavez Foundation, was released early today.

“The Cesar Chavez Foundation has become aware of disturbing allegations that Cesar Chavez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors during his time as President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).

Little by little, the news has been emerging, with articles online increasing by the hour.

The media is doing what they do best, reporting on what information they have and digging for more. But the New York Times has been working on this story for years, and that story was set to publish on Cesar’s Birthday, March 31. We are sure a lot more details on, yet again, another incident of alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior with women and minors”.

If these allegations are true, the focus should always be the victims. It is a hard time for all. It will also be hard on our community as a revered hero is taken down.

Filmmaker, Writer and Humanitarian Border Relief Volunteer, David Damian Figueroa and Latin Heat Founder, Bel Hernandez Castillo, both very active and with deep ties to the community, penned a letter addressing this news. We hope you will share the sentiment

A Path Forward with Hope and Faith

There is no doubt that this is a devastating turn of events, and is heavy on our minds and spirits. No doubt, the mainstream news, the current political climate, gossip, innuendo, and finger-pointing will be ramped up on social media and in the mainstream news. 

We must prepare. Our future will be difficult to navigate, and this news is not just any conversation; it is a pivotal moment in Chicano/Mexicano history—one that could reshape our collective future. 

We urge every Latino to create an environment that radiates kindness and respect as they move forward. Let us create spaces that are sanctuaries for truth-telling, allowing everyone to express themselves and process this devastating news while also protecting one another. 

The way forward for the Latino community will depend on our working together so that a spirit of honor and collaboration emerges from respectful dialogue. What we do now will be a defining moment for us all. The narratives we craft today will echo through time, and unity will be our greatest strength in the days to come.

Our young people will look to us—trusting that we will help carry the weight of this responsibility with grace, integrity, and forgiveness. Hope is what we need to foster, and it starts with your willingness to engage thoughtfully, compassionately, and with purpose. 

Each of us has the power to inspire and lead. Let this moment be the spark that ignites a brighter path forward with hope and faith.

David Damian Figueroa, Filmmaker, Writer and Humanitarian Border Relief Volunteer

Bel Hernandez Castillo, Founder, Latin Heat Media

The post A Path Forward With Hope And Faith first appeared on .