Free Opening Night screening brings film, literature, music and Mexican-American history together at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and the performance of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson Youth Mariachi
LéaLA Spanish Language Book Fair & Literary Festival will open its 11th edition with a free screening of the award-winning documentary Ugly Little Monkeys – A True American Story on Sept. 24 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles.
Organized by the University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, LéaLA has built its reputation as a leading celebration of Spanish-language books, authors, arts and culture in Los Angeles. This year’s opening-night program expands that mission by demonstrating how stories can move across artistic disciplines — from the page to the screen and ultimately to the stage.
Admission to the three day festival is absolutely free with an added benefit to school children who are bused to participate in the book festival workshops, author readings and performances. Speaking with Marisol Schulz — Director, LéaLA, she expressed, “The greatest joy for me is to see the faces of the children and to know that they can say ‘I saw great authors speaking in my language’.
Directed by David E. Valdez and veteran actor and filmmaker Enrique Castillo, Ugly Little Monkeys chronicles the remarkable rise of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, the youth mariachi group that emerged from Tucson’s Mexican-American community in the 1960s and went on to international acclaim.
But the documentary is about far more than mariachi.
It explores identity, cultural pride, community, ambition and the Mexican-American experience through the story of young musicians who challenged stereotypes and opened doors for generations that followed.
The film features Edward James Olmos, Linda Ronstadt and Rubén Fuentes, as well as Ernesto Portillo Sr. and 19 original Changuitos. Wilfred Arvizu, author of Bless Me Father for You Have Sinned, which is the source material for the documentary, will also be in attendance at the opening-night event.
LéaLA’s decision to open its 2026 festival with the documentary gives that history a new platform — connecting the written word, filmmaking and live music in a single evening.
Following the screening, members of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson will perform live, bringing the music that helped define their extraordinary journey to a new generation.
Opening Night LéaLA Schedule
4:00 PM — Welcome and opening remarks by LéaLA representatives
4:30 PM — Ugly Little Monkeys directors introduce the film
4:40 PM — Screening of Ugly Little Monkeys – A True American Story
6:30 PM — Live performance by Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson
7:00 PM — Cocktail reception
“I’m proud of this film and very grateful that this documentary was made,” said Olmos who also served as Executive Producer of the documentary.
The opening-night program brings together film, literature, music and Mexican-American history, reflecting LéaLA’s mission to amplify Spanish-language storytelling and Latino cultural voices.
The screening is free and open to the public. INFO HERE: https://lea-la.com/programa/
LéaLA 2026 runs Sept. 24–27 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.