The 3rd Annual Mexican Film & Television Festival (MAFTF) is doing something that is long overdue “Celebrating the Mexican-Amerian/Chicana Filmmaker”. The celebration will be the culmination of their two day film festival that which takes place on Saturday 20 and the 21 at Harmony Gold in Hollywood with the Illustrious Awards closing the festival the evening of April 21.

“Mexican-American woman have always been in the forefront of the progress of our community, including film,” said Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz, President of the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation, the entity that produces the MAFTF.  “I felt it was time to thank and recognize this effort”.

Noted filmmaker Lourdes Portillo, a documentarian originally form Chihuahua, Mexico is epitome of the Chicana Filmmaker.  Although her first films were focused on the experience of a Nicaraguan refugee of the 1972 Managua earthquake and the  Argentinian story of The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, her work has been dedicated to documenting the stories of the Chicano/Mexican-American experience. Her projects have won Oscar and Emmy nominations and Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival among other accolades.  A true pioneer in filmmaking and someone whose work cannot be forgotten for lack of attention.

Not many film festival dedicate space to Chicano filmmakers. The two that come to mind are the Chicano International Film Festival which has been around for 20 years in Los Angeles and the Xicano Independent Filmmakers Festival in Denver. However, neither have dedicated a whole festival to the Mexican-American filmmakers and in particular Chicana filmmakers.

Indeed, MAFTF decided it was time to shine a bright light on Mexican-American filmmakers and the stories they tell, to document their excellence and inform and showcase their work that will live on through generations.

It was with this in mind that MAFTF selected their 2024 Mexican-American/Chicana filmmaker honorees to recognize their artistry with the Illustrious Award. The Honorees are, Academy Award winning producer Yvette Merino for her work as a producer for Disney’s  hit film Encanto, Patricia Riggen (Miracles From Heaven, Under the Same Moon)who started her career by winning a student Academy Award, has two major box office hit movies and just wrapped her  film G20 in South Africa. Real Women Have Curves playwright and screenwriter Josefina Lopez, whose play is on the way to Broadway as I write this.  Esperanza Esparza will receive the Pioneer award in recognition of her film work in the 70’s, and Academy Award nominated short documentary, Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country.  The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Bel Hernandez Castillo (Latin Heat Magazine) for providing media coverage and documenting the expansion of Latinos in Hollywood for over 30 years.

Looking towards the future, there is a wave of upcoming Latina storytellers, directors, producers and writers.  One of those new directors is Academy Award nominee America Ferrera who is currently in pre-production to direct her first film, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.  Eva Longoria’s first time out directing resulted in last year’s hit film Flamin’ Hot.  Gigi Saul Guerrero another Mexican American via Canada, is fast becoming a talent in the horror genre.  Selected as a filmmaker to watch by Variety Magazine, she directed the film Bingo Hell and various episodes of TV shows The Purge and Into the Dark. Linda Yvette Chavez’s writing career is on the fast track.  Having co-written and produced the hit TV show Gentefied, she then went on to co-write the hit film Flamin’ Hot and just finished penning Ferrera’s directorial film.

The group of Latina filmmakers continues to grow and this year, over a dozen Latina directors, producers, writers whose projects are screening at this year at MAFTF.  Among them, we are sure, are the filmmaking start of tomorrow.

MAFTF’s celebration of the Chicana/Mexican-American filmmaker, was long overdue.  It’s an exciting time for women filmmakers, Latina filmmakers, Chicana/Mexican-American filmmakers…!Que Viva La Mujer! 

The post Spotlight On The Chicana/Mexican-American Filmmaker first appeared on .

The Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), a 501c3 organization, proudly announces the upcoming 3rd edition of the Mexican-American Film & Television Festival (MAFTF) slated for April 20 – 21, 2024, at the prestigious Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. Marking 2024 as the “Year of the Mexican-American/Chicana Filmmaker,” MAFTF will honor accomplished individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have significantly impacted the entertainment industry.

In a dedicated effort to celebrate diversity and inclusivity within the cinematic landscape, MAFTF will pay tribute to four remarkable women during this year’s festival:

• Ivett Merino: Renowned producer, and Oscar Winner for the Academy Award winning film Encanto. Will received the Prestigious MACEf’s President Award.
• Eva Longoria: Her feature film directorial debut of Flamin’ Hot became the highest streaming movie from Searchlight ever and she made the Hollywood Reporter’s Forces for Change Power List for 2023.
• Patricia Riggen: Esteemed director, will be honored with the Trailblazer in Directing Award, known for her work on “Miracles From Heaven.”
• Josefina Lopez: Celebrated playwright and screenwriter, will be honored with the Excellence in Writing Award.
• Bel Hernandez Castillo: Noteworthy journalist and publisher, recognized for documenting the Latino Hollywood success in her publication, Latin Heat.

While embracing the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, MAFTF seeks to acknowledge the vital role that Chicanas have played in shaping cinematic narratives. Despite Mexican-Americans constituting nearly 70% of all Latinos in the U.S., their contributions have often gone untold and unrecognized.

The festival’s mission is to provide a platform for Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers to showcase, promote, and celebrate their creative talents. By fostering an environment of networking and support, MAFTF aims to bridge the gap between filmmakers and Hollywood executives, fostering opportunities beyond stereotypes.

The demand for the festival is evident, with over 150 submissions, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, and TV projects, reflecting a diverse range of themes. These stories address identity, high school angst, love, animation, relationships, immigration, marriage, and more, contributing to a vibrant showcase either in-person or virtually over the two-day event.

Statistics from the 2022 Latino Donor Collaborative Media Report emphasize the underrepresentation of Latinos on screen, despite their significant contribution as avid TV consumers and high movie ticket purchases. MAFTF provides a platform for Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers to share stories that resonate with their communities.

With only 6% of speaking characters on screen being Latino, as reported by USC’s 2023 Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study, MAFTF stands as a crucial initiative in amplifying diverse voices in the film industry.

MACEF President and Founder, Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz, emphasizes the importance of representation, stating, “Our goal is to turn this trend around. This will not change unless we create the change.”

The festival will honor its distinguished recipients, Patricia Riggen, Josefina Lopez, with retrospective screenings of their impactful projects, Under The Same Moon and Real Women Have Curves respectively. As in previous years  MAFTF prestigious panels of judges lead by Festival Awards Director Jerry Velasco and award-winning film and television director, Jesus Trevino will choose among the 150 submission the best in 10 competition categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Short Film, Best TV Series, Best Male Actor, Best Female Actress, Best Screenplay for Film, Best Musical, and Best Screenplay for TV.

The two day festival will culminate with the star studded, red-carpet and Oscar styled  “Illustrious Award”, where winners and honorees will receive their awards in front of 350 colleagues and movie lovers, taking place on April 21st at 6 PM, capping the festivities.

Film submissions are still being accepted, with a deadline of January 31, 2024. For more information about the 2024 MAFTF, and to purchase tickets, visit www.MexAmCEF.org.

Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation’s mission is to change the negative narrative of Americans of Mexican descent by highlighting their stories and their positive contribution to the U.S. For more information about the 2023 MACEF Film Festival, www.MexAmCEF.org.

The post The Mexican-American Film & Television Festival Honors Mexican-American/Chicana Filmmakers in its 3rd Edition first appeared on .

LATINAFest®, the largest outdoor festival on the West Coast celebrating all things Latina, is thrilled to announce the return of its annual celebration, LATINAFest: Mind, Body & Soul, on Sunday, March 24th at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, located at 501 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Doors open at 10 AM for early bird shopping, with the event running from 11AM to 6PM.

“This year’s theme, Inspired Through Movement, reflects the growing community spirit and the transformative power of collective action,” said LATINAFest® co-founder, Bel Hernandez Castillo. “LATINAFest® continues to foster a strong community dedicated to positive change. The event encourages everyone to engage in various forms of movement – from financial empowerment to physical wellness, and community activism.”

 In the spirit of moving, LATINAFest® is currently offering two EARLY BIRD ticket promotions to encourage festival-goers to move quickly on these offers before they expire on January 31st. The General Admission promo is a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal. The VIP package includes Early Access to LATINAFest (10AM), a Cocktail Garden bracelet, VIP entrance, and a Swag Bag all for $69.99.  To purchase these EARLY BIRD specials, please visit: www.latinafest.com.
 
“Last year’s LATINAFest was an overwhelming success, bringing together a vibrant community of Latina women. We are excited to build on that momentum this year,” said Naibe Reynoso, co-founder of LATINAFest. “We saw incredible engagement and received lots of positive feedback, which further fuels our commitment to empowering Latina voices.”

Dedicated to celebrating and promoting unity, diversity, and economic inclusion, LATINAFest shines a spotlight on Latina entrepreneurs, activists, and artists that amplify the Latina voice. In support of these Shero’s, LATINAFest is proud to present the $5,000 LATINAFest Hero Women Rising Entrepreneur Grant for the 4th consecutive year. This grant will be awarded to a Latina entrepreneur who has demonstrated growth, leadership, innovation, and commitment to the community.

This year, LATINAFest proudly announces its partnership with Who Has It, a platform that aligns perfectly with LATINAFest’s mission to support and uplift diverse voices and businesses. The collaboration will not only spotlight the vendors at LATINAFest but will also allow vendors to sell virtually to millions of followers via the Who Has It and LATINAFest online platforms.

LATINAFest is more than just an event…it’s a movement. The festival provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring speakers, network with influential Latinas, and participate in empowering activities. It’s truly an uplifting experience, filled with joy and laughter that has been produced in L.A. since its inception in 2018.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.latinafest.com.

Facebook: @LATINAFest
Instagram: @LATINAFest
X: @LATINAFest

#latinafest2024 #supportsmallbusiness

The post Get ‘Inspired Through Movement’ at the 6th Annual LATINAFest®: Mind, Body & Soul first appeared on .