The Mexican-American Film & Television Festival & Awards (MAFTF) returns for its milestone fifth year with growing momentum, expanding its footprint as a vital platform for Chicano and Mexican-American storytellers.  The two day festival will take place from March 25 and 26, expanding into two locations, Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood and Milagro Cinemas located in Norwalk.

Founded with a mission to showcase, promote, and celebrate Mexican-American/Chicano filmmakers, MAFTF has steadily positioned itself as both a cultural and industry touchpoint—spotlighting voices too often underrepresented in mainstream Hollywood while championing authentic storytelling across all formats.

The festival has grown exponentially since it began in 2022. The projects were selected from over 200 submissions which included a wide variety of  film, documentary, television, and emerging vertical formats—underscoring both the demand and the creative surge within the community.

“MAFTF 2026 Theme: “Our Stories Must Be Told To Defy Adversity”, reminds us of how by telling our stories we inform, help heal and resist the forces which are hurting our community,” said Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz President & Festival Director of MAFTF.

In addition to the screenings, MAFTF features panels discussion, workshops, and Fireside Chats. 

The following panel discussion will be held on Saturday from 11:00AM – 6:00PM.

– Funding, Marketing & Distribution Panel

-The World of Vertical & How To Make Money With Them

– Casting & Production for Ultra Low Budget SAG Film

– Fireside Chat with Actor/Director & Producer Enrique Castillo

Special Honors Spotlight Industry Excellence

The culmination of the festival is the highly anticipated closing night Illustrious Awards, a recognition of the best of the festival and, this year the recognition of five individuals whose contributions—both in front of and behind the camera—exemplify the depth and range of Latino talent shaping today’s entertainment landscape.

Honorees

Veteran actor, writer, and director Enrique Castillo will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a decades-long career that spans theater, film, and television. Castillo’s performances in films such as El Norte, Nixon, My Family, and Déjà Vu among many others, have consistently brought nuance and dignity to Latino characters. He remains indelibly associated with his iconic role as Montana in Blood In Blood Out, as well as his work on the Showtime series Weeds.

Rising multi-hyphenate Annie Gonzalez will be honored with the Illustrious Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting. A Chicana actress, singer, and producer, Gonzalez has built a dynamic career with standout roles in Gentefied, Flamin’ Hot, and her portrayal of Jenni Rivera in the biopic Jenni. Her television work—including Shameless, American Horror Story, and Vida—reflects her ongoing commitment to advancing Latinx representation on screen.

Also receiving recognition is Mishel Prada, receiving the Illustrious Award for Trailblazing Excellence in Acting. Prada is best known for her groundbreaking role as Emma Hernandez in Starz’s Vida, portrayed a queer/pansexual Latina character with complexity and authenticity. She has also appeared as Detective KD Silva in Peacock’s The Continental, further expanding her range across genres.

Acclaimed television director Felix Alcala will receive the Trailblazer in Directing Award. With credits including Lone Star and 9-1-1 among many, Alcalá has helmed episodes of some of television’s most prominent series, helping shape the visual and narrative language of contemporary TV.

Rounding out the honorees is respected entertainment journalist Naibe Reynoso, who will be presented with the Excellence in Journalism Award and 

A Growing Cultural Force

According to several studies, although Mexican-Americans make up more than 11% of the U.S. population, they are significantly underrepresented or completely ignored by Hollywood. The Mexican-American Film & Television Festival stands as a beacon for inclusive storytelling for these filmmakers by creating space for narratives that are culturally specific yet universally resonant.

In just five years, MAFTF has evolved from a grassroots platform recognized for its significant cultural event, championing a new generation of storytellers while honoring those who have paved the way. With record submissions and a powerful slate of honorees, this year’s festival signals not just growth—but impact.

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Now in its 13th year, the annual celebration of Latina-directed cinema will present Merino with the Lupe Ontiveros Award on Opening Night, while Riggen will receive the Maverick Award. Both honors spotlight Latina leaders whose work has reshaped representation, storytelling, and opportunity across the entertainment industry.

Yvette Merino to Receive Lupe Ontiveros Award

Merino, producer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, will be honored for a career defined by artistic excellence and trailblazing achievement. The Lupe Ontiveros Award—named after the late actress who paved the way for generations of Latina performers—recognizes women whose careers demonstrate courage and a sustained commitment to expanding representation in film.

Merino made history as the first Latina to receive the Academy Award for Animated Feature for producing Disney’s Encanto. Over her 25-plus years at Disney Animation, she has served in key production roles on blockbuster titles including Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, the Oscar-winning Big Hero 6, and Oscar-nominated Moana.

Following Encanto, Merino earned an Emmy Award for producing the short film Once Upon a Studio and served as producer on Moana 2. She is currently producing Zootopia 2. Beyond the screen, Merino was also instrumental in launching Voces@Disney, the studio’s first Latino employee resource group, serving as co-president for two years.

Patricia Riggen to Receive Maverick Award

Riggen will be presented with the Maverick Award, honoring a filmmaker whose body of work has challenged dominant narratives while bringing underrepresented stories to global audiences with authenticity and emotional depth.

Widely regarded as one of America’s leading female directors, Riggen’s feature credits span genres and scale. Her recent action thriller G20 stars Viola Davis, while earlier work includes Sundance breakout feature Under The Same Moon/La Misma Luna and Sony Pictures’ box-office hit Miracles from Heaven starring Jennifer Garner.

Her television directing credits include multiple episodes of the Emmy-winning limited series Dopesick starring Michael Keaton, as well as season one of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

A graduate of Columbia University School of the Arts, Riggen’s early short film work earned a Student Academy Award, Student Emmy, and Mexican Academy Award. She later directed Lemonade Mouth, which received a Directors Guild of America nomination, and the Chilean mining drama The 33 starring Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche—a production that required 30 days of filming underground in active mines.

Originally from Mexico, Riggen remains one of the few women of color to have directed top-grossing studio features in the past decade and continues to mentor emerging Latino filmmakers.

Festival Leadership and Mission

LIFE is led by Festival Directors Iris Almaraz and Cristina Nava, whose shared focus on community engagement, equity, and independent film continues to define the festival’s growth. Nava, a veteran independent producer and cultural organizer, brings decades of experience championing socially conscious storytelling and grassroots arts advocacy. Together, Almaraz and Nava position LIFE as both a platform for exhibition and a space for mentorship, networking, and long-term career development.

Founded thirteen years ago by screenwriter and playwright Josefina López (known for writing the groundbreaking film and Broadway play Real Women Have Curves), the festival was built on the belief that representation matters and that diverse voices strengthen the cinematic landscape.

In addition to screenings, the 2026 edition will feature panels, workshops, and networking sessions connecting emerging Latina directors with industry leaders and resources. LIFE is a fiscally sponsored project of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP).

Tickets and full programming details are available at www.LIFEFilmFestLA.com.

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By Bel Hernandez Castillo

What is a Chicano?

In his 1970 Los Angeles Times essay What Is a Chicano? And What Do Chicanos Want?, the late, award-winning journalist Rubén Salazar defined a Chicano as “a Mexican-American with a non-Anglo image of himself.”

Chicanos are boldly authentic and now raising their voice proudly, creating content that is authentically theirs. What better event to showcase their creativity than the Chicano Hollywood Film Festival. over 100 film and TV projects will be in full display at the first annual Chicano Hollywood Film Festival which takes place July 17–20, 2025, at The Union (350 Garey Ave, Pomona, CA). 

The brainchild of ex-pastor and producer Johnny Murillo, the festival, (planned before the immigration raids began) will brazenly launch in spite of the ICE raids which are targeting undocumented farm laborers across Southern California. The festival positions itself as both a cultural celebration and a platform for protest—amplifying the stories, struggles, and strength of the Chicano and Latino communities. 

Opening the film festival will be The Last Brown Beret, a gripping and timely feature directed by Del Zamora abd based on the play by writer/director Alfredo Ramos. The film revives the legacy of the Brown Berets, Civil Rights activists whose fight for justice in the 1960s echoes today’s urgent need for protection, dignity, and unity within the Chicano community amid fear of raids, riots, and mass arrests. 

“This festival isn’t just about watching films—it’s about answering the call,” said Johnny Murillo, founder of Chicano Hollywood. “The Brown Berets stood up for our people. It’s time to do the same—with cameras, stories, and truth.” 

In addition to spotlighting powerful features, the Chicano Hollywood Film Festival will showcase over 90 short films, television pilots, music videos, and digital projects from emerging Chicano/Latino filmmakers across the U.S. and Latin America. The diverse lineup highlights stories of identity, resistance, humor, and healing. 

Featured films include: 

— Ugly Little Monkey – A powerful documentary produced and co-directed  by Chicano legend Enrique Castillo (Montana in Blood in Blood Out) and David Valdez, exploring the journey of the first Youth Mariachi in the U.S. whose trauma lead to healing through the music of Mariachi.  

— Horchata With Oat Milk – A viral, culture-clash comedy directed by Christian “LV” Leyva, addressing the issue of gentrification and offering fresh laughs with a Chicano twist.  

— A Little Family Drama – A layered and emotional dramedy directed by Nadia Zoe that brings generational conflict to light.  

— Cholita Takes LA – Directed by Sylvia Ray, a bold exploration of female empowerment within Chicana culture and a Bolivian Cholita Wrestler seeking identity.  

— Lost in the Barrio – Directed by Alberto Portillo, a gritty, heartfelt story of survival and loyalty in the urban neighborhood. Starring Fabian Alamar (Flamin’ Hot).  

Festival goers can also expect live “DJ” sets, Q&A panels, networking events, and the launch of the Chicano Hollywood Academy, an initiative to train the next generation of Latino creatives in acting, directing, production, and content monetization. 

The Chicano Hollywood platform was created to elevate the  Chicano voice in every space of culture, Chicano Hollywood is a groundbreaking media and cultural movement committed to empowering Chicano and Latino content creators. Through film, education, and strategic partnerships, it seeks to amplify underrepresented voices and reimagine representation in Hollywood and beyond.

“This is the first of many,” said Festival Director, Francisco Roel. “We’re building a movement where Chicanos and Latinos own their stories, their space, and their future in entertainment.” 

Press, Tickets & Festival Schedule:
Visit www.ChicanoHollywood.com  

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The almost two week long, Hola México Film Festival has a slate of film, shorts and documentary features Mexican cinema & filmmakers featuring a diverse selection of films that including dramas, comedies, documentaries, and horror films.

The opening night film screening on September 12, 2025, will be at The Montalban Theater. Screenings will be held at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015.  The festival will conclude on September 20, 2025, with a closing night screening and a concert at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles, preceded by an award ceremony recognizing the audience’s choice for Best Film and Best Short Film.

For more information visit https://www.holamexicoff.com

Samuel Douek, the founder and director of HMFF, expressed his excitement for the film festival’s celebration.“After 17 years of Hola Mexico, we feel like we’re just getting started! It’s a joy to work with talented filmmakers to showcase their stories on the big screen. In the current political climate, highlighting the achievements of Mexicans and Latinos is crucial. Immigrants like Iñárritu, Cuarón, and Del Toro show what success looks like! In 2025, we will present an exciting lineup of films that resonate deeply with audiences. We’re thankful to Toyota for their support, which helps amplify our voices. I look forward to seeing everyone at the theaters!”

Each year, the festival takes part in this tradition of the festival poster and prides itself on working with Mexico’s most sought-after graphic designers to create unique and collectible poster art. This year’s poster was designed by Ely Ely.

Ely is a talented illustrator with over 10 years of experience in advertising, editorial, and mural work. Inspired by nature, personal introspection, and Mexico’s vibrant colors, she has collaborated with national and international brands. The design suggests a fantastical figure that represents cinema: a doorway to other worlds. Wrapped in textures that resemble Mexican textiles, this character evokes feelings of wonder, strangeness, and the opportunity to inhabit imagined realities.

The 10-day program provides a platform for these talented individuals offering an immersive professional development experience. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with both esteemed Mexican filmmakers and renowned industry professionals based in the U.S., opening doors and expanding networks crucial for their career advancement. Filmmakers interested in participating in this transformative program are encouraged to apply.

2025 Sponsors of the 17th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival Presented by Toyota: DCA (Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles), KCRW, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, McDonald’s, Maison Perrier, and presenting sponsor the  Toyota.

Hola Mexico Film Festival presented by Toyota: September 12-20, 2025. Opening Night film announcement coming soon, in the meantime you can purchase your festival passes for the Hola Mexico Film Festival presented by Toyota starting today at https://www.holamexicoff.com/

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In 1993 punk artist Mabel Valdiviezo flees from war-torn Peru to San Francisco, CA on a tourist visa. Soon she goes from tourist to “undocumented”, living on the fringes of society, struggling to build a life. Being the artist that she is, she documented her struggles through photographic self-portraits, drawings, collages, and visual diaries. Fifteen years later, her documentary Prodigal Daughter makes its world premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on Thursday, May 30th, 7:00 PM @TCL Chinese Theatre – Cinema 3

Director and producer, Valdiviezo is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores migration, gender equality, and healing justice. Prodigal Daughter  follows the filmmaker/artist on a poignant journey to reunite with her family in Peru after 16 years of silence.  Through Mabel’s personal story, the film reveals the struggles of immigrant women living without a safety net, exploring their challenges in staying connected with their families left behind. 

The film weaves vérité scenes with family photos that Valdiviezo transforms into vibrant mixed media “photo-paintings” to convey her emotional separation from her family and her longing for reconnection. Peruvian underground punk art blends with playful stop-motion animations, bringing to life her youth during Peru’s tumultuous 80s. 

“In this current climate, it is crucial to craft narratives that offer multifaceted portrayals of immigrant lives that mirror the richness of our communities,” Valdiviezo said.  She  emphasizes the importance of challenging the mainstream stereotypical depiction of immigrants.

Valdiviezo’s production company Haiku Films is focused on producing compelling documentaries that explore pressing issues of our times, utilizing community storytelling as a catalyst for cultural change. 

Valdiviezo plans to grow a robust social impact campaign and partner with immigrant and women organizations, to bring the film to community centers, schools, broadcast, and online audiences. 

For ticket information:  bit.ly/3JZeLiT

“Prodigal Daughter” visit prodigaldaughterthemovie.com.

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The Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), the non-profit whose mission is to change the intentionally distorted and damaging Mexican-American narrative by educating the community and supporting film television makers and their stories that will change that narrative, is currently accepting submissions for its 3rd annual $5K Filmmaking Grants. In addition, applicants for the filmmaking grants will automatically be entered into a chance to be chosen for one of 10 available slots for the inaugural Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series: From Film to Career. The deadline to submit for the grant and, in turn, for the Masters Workshop Series is September 30, 2023.

“The MACEF’s Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series is the latest addition to our efforts to provide our filmmakers with the tools to succeed and thus fulfill our mission to change the distorted and harmful narrative by telling our real story and educate the community about the true Mexican-American contribution,” said MACEF’s Board President Dr. Jose Luis Ruiz.

The Masters Workshop Series: From Film To Career is an interactive workshop for ten selected filmmakers who are currently developing a short drama or feature-length narrative film project and who wish to receive mentorship and guidance from master filmmakers to produce higher-level projects and develop a sustainable career in the film industry.

This series of workshops will be offered annually and will take place over three days starting in the Fall of 2023 and will focus on 1) Story and Screenplay, 2) Building the Film Team, and 3) Casting, financing, and distribution.

The ten participants will be selected by the Mexican American Education Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF) from applicants who demonstrate exemplary film accomplishments and whose current film project indicates a high potential for success as determined by a committee of veteran film professionals. The workshops are intended to help participants bring their film projects closer to completion and encourage planning for a lifetime career in motion picture production.

The Faculty of this workshop series will be legendary producer Moctesuma Esparza (Selena) and pioneering film and TV director Jesús Treviño (Prison Break), and moderated by MACEF founder and director Dr. José Luis Ruíz. The workshops will include the participation of veteran writers, producers, and directors who will engage the ten selected participants on a one-on-one basis.

Eligibility and Submissions for the MACEF Grant and Filmmakers Masters Workshop Series are one application. Consideration for both will be decided from the application for the Grant.

Who Can Apply:

• Individuals already in the industry or starting out who need funds to finish their short film, a feature-length film, or a TV pilot to put it on the market.
• Film school students working on their thesis film are encouraged to apply.
• Filmmakers of any background can apply; however, the production team must include at least one producer, writer, or director and one main actor who identifies as Mexican-American or Chicana/o, of any generation or mixed ethnicity.

Qualifying:

• To qualify for this grant, the applicant must submit the script of the short film, feature-length film, or TV pilot and be in an advanced stage of pre-production, production, or post-production.
• Qualifying films will be assessed for the quality of the story, culturally positive content, the production team assembled, and the project’s viability. Non-stereotypical stories will have priority.

The deadline to apply is September 30, 2023. APPLY HERE. Grantees will have their film highlighted at the First Annual Mexican-American Film/Television Festival in May of 2024.

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Inspired by a true immigration story, Bienvenidos a Los Angeles tells the story of Imani, a 24-year-old Nigerian single mother living and working in Los Angeles who gets the devastating news that the Muslim ban has jeopardized her green card application and she must leave the country. On her shared-ride home, she meets Elizabeth, an undocumented Mexican woman on her way to LAX to reunite with her 6-year-old son whom she hasn’t seen since she left him behind five years ago in search of a better future for her family. Reeling from the total loss of control in her own life, Imani offers to help Elizabeth, not realizing that this simple act of kindness carries immense risk.

“I believe everyone has a story and deserves to be seen. But, when society is driven by fear, people are often relegated to stereotypes. When one takes the time to see beyond labels, complex human beings come into focus and a kinder world emerges,” said Cole.

Lisa Cole is a creative activist, writer, producer and director, who amplifies diverse underrepresented voices and exposes social injustices. Having lived with 201 host families across 12 countries in just three years, Cole’s diverse background fuels her storytelling. She has several feature films in development including working with producers Laura Bickford and Nathan Ross. In addition, Cole has directed and produced documentaries for The Gates Foundation, Sundance Institute, Viacom, BET, and A&E, focusing on women’s health and safety in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.

Among the many accolades Bienvenidos a Los Ángeles has received, the film recently won the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, the independent film movement promoting inclusion at the Festival de Cannes. Presented by Diversity in Cannes founder, Yolonda Brinkley, with support from Julius Tennon and Academy Award Winner Viola Davis’ JuVee Productions, the showcase featured uniquely themed films from America, Asia, New Zealand, Nigeria and points in between.

As part of the film’s community-centered immigrant rights impact initiative, Bienvenidos a Los Ángeles has partnered with the Refugee Children Center, a Los Angeles-based non-profit supporting unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the United States. The film is raising awareness and financial support for the organization by hosting community screenings and Q&A’s to spark dialogue about complicated issues surrounding immigration and vulnerable populations. The Center was recently recognized as an organization by the Recognition and Accreditation Program (R&A) from the United States Department of Justice.

“I see the story of Bienvenidos a Los Angeles reflected in each mother and caregiver at the Center,” said Mayra Medina-Nuñez, Executive Director at the Refugee Children Center. “Bienvenidos a Los Angeles highlights the humanity and the solidarity amongst human beings regardless of their legal or socio-economic status. It touches on the complexity of immigration laws in the United States while focusing on the strong love of a mother for their children.”

VIEW TRAILER HERE:  http://bienvenidosalosangeles.com/trailer.html

For more information about Bienvenidos a Los Angeles, please visit: www.balafilm.com

Follow Bienvenidos a Los Angeles on social media:
Facebook: @bienvenidosfilm
Instagram: @bienvenidosfilm

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San Antonio’s original Latinx film festival returns on Tuesday, July 11 through Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the historic Guadalupe Theater with a greater-than-ever Texas filmmaker presence. Featuring 114 films, including 38 films from San Antonio and 40 films from the Lone Star State, the 44th CineFestival San Antonio continues to support local and regional filmmakers while offering a well-rounded program to local audiences that also includes national and international films that highlight artistic excellence and diversity.?

“We never know how many films will be submitted each year, but with a total of 312 entries this year, the amount of work being done by local and regional Latinx, and indigenous filmmakers is staggering,” said CineFestival Programmer Eugenio del Bosque. “Of course, the work varies in quality, and many of these films are short films, yet it is very encouraging to see young and veteran filmmakers in San Antonio and Texas are hard at work. We look forward to being a part of bringing an audience to these films and helping some of these voices mature, now and in the years to come.”

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will add an extra day to the 44th CineFestival San Antonio to accommodate the high volume of submissions. This year, the festival will feature 31 screenings showcasing 15 feature films and 99 short films.

“The festival continues to grow in popularity and in fact, this is the second time in the past three years, that we extended the festival to another day. We wanted to make sure we were able to showcase as many local and regional artists whose unique voices need to be heard,” said del Bosque.

The festival will open on Tuesday, July 11 with a special 30th-anniversary screening of Blood In, Blood Out, directed by Taylor Hackford. This event will be hosted by Jesse Borrego, San Antonio’s own stage and film actor, and CineFestival artistic advisor. The screening will be free and open to the public and will be a unique opportunity to revisit this seminal work of the Chicano film cannon based on the true-life experiences of screenwriter Jimmy Santiago Baca and starring Borrego, Damian Chapa, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo, and Valente Rodriguez, among many others.

“CineFestival is an important vehicle to showcase the Latino narrative. It offers the community a unique chance to see authentic Latino stories being told, from Latinx filmmakers, whose work may not easily be found at the movie theater,” said Borrego. “When you feature a free screening of a movie like Blood In, Blood Out in the heart of the Westside, it’s hard to not miss the cultural significance of it being featured by the Guadalupe’s CineFestival,” he added.

The festival will close with the San Antonio premiere of the documentary Going Varsity in Mariachi, directed by Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, which focuses on Edinburg North High School’s acclaimed Mariachi Oro in South Texas, as they rebuild their twenty-member varsity group and work on a shoestring budget to compete in the state championships and the winner of the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Other feature films include:

El Equipo (Dir. Bernardo Ruiz, 2023, USA) – In 1984, an unlikely meeting between Texas native Dr. Clyde Snow, a legendary American forensic scientist, and a group of Argentine students who ultimately change the course of forensic science and human rights forever.

Gift (Dir. Alex Oviedo, 2022, Texas) – A young Esper must come to terms with his past and save the future for both him and a young woman.

Home Is Somewhere Else (Dir. Carlos Hagerman, Jorge Villalobos, 2022, Mexico) – An acclaimed Mexican animated documentary, it opens an intimate window to the hearts and minds of young undocumented Dreamers in the US.

Hummingbirds (Dir. Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía “Beba” Contreras, 2023, Texas) – A lyrical, intimate, and uplifting look at the lives of the two young directors in Laredo, Texas as they navigate the immigration process in a politically divided America. The film won the Grand Prix of the Generation 14 plus the International Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Martínez (Dir. Lorena Padilla, 2023, Mexico) – Another acclaimed Mexican film from newcomer Lorena Padilla who spent three years teaching film at SMU in North Texas. Martinez, a lonely accountant who prizes his daily monotony, must realize that his life is still ahead of him when he is pushed into retirement.

Moe (Dir. José Luis Valenzuela, 2023, USA) – Based on the award-winning play Dementia, Moises is having a going away party because he’s dying of AIDS, but his plans go awry when unexpected characters from his past show up, all the while his alter ego, a torch singing drag queen, wants to take him for “the ride of his life.”

Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Sarria (Dir. Joe Castel, 2022, USA) – A triumphant story of the human spirit, a hero’s journey of a man fighting unjust laws and uniting a fractured community. This is co-produced by Chicano actor Danny de la Paz. In 1961, Jose Sarria was the first openly gay man to run for public office in the US, and he ran in heels. When San Francisco city officials vowed to shut down all the gay bars in 1961, the 38-year-old female impersonator threw caution to the wind and campaigned for a seat on the board of supervisors.

On Guard: A Story of American Youth (Dir. Allen Otto, 2023, Texas) – Directed by San Antonio native Allen Otto and set in El Paso, Texas, this energetic documentary follows an all-girl team of high school students connected by their passion for the unheralded, all-American sport of color guard, as they compete in the wake of tragedy, navigate the universal trials and tribulations of adolescence and come of age in an era, unlike anything America has experienced before.

Seahorse (Dir. Rommel J. Eclarinal, 2022, Texas) – Emily is a young mother and heroin addict, struggling to maintain a relationship with her daughter and a grip on reality.

The Secret Sabbath (Dir. Daniel Goldberg, 2022) – A documentary in which individuals in Mexico and the United States converge towards the often-shunned junction, where Hispanic and Jewish cultures intersect, as they disentangle the fibers of deeply hidden family secrets handed down by generations past.

Summoning the Spirit (Dir. Jon Erich Garcia, 2023, USA) – A horror film directed by a native Texas director, Summoning the Spirit follows a young couple as they decide to escape the hustle of the big city, purchasing a home in the remote forest. The couple quickly realizes that they are on the land of a cult, and its leader claims a telepathic connection to a legendary flesh-eating beast deep in the woods surrounding them

Three local feature films are also part of Vistas de San Antonio:

Conjunto Blues (Dir. Joel Celestino Settles, 2020, San Antonio) – Local feature film Conjunto Blues is a stage play that was adapted for the screen in collaboration with Teatro Vivo and The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. The show explores social and historical conditions that led to the development of Conjunto music as an expression of cultural resistance and liberation. Written and performed by Nicolás Valdéz.

Heart of Glory (Dir. Jorge Lopez Ramirez, 2022, San Antonio) – Local feature film “Heart of Glory” trails the legacy of Ramirez’ father, local San Antonio boxer Jimmy “The Kid” Sanchez who endures life’s daily struggles while training to fight his way to the top in the boxing world.

Sacred Mask (Dir. David F. Mendez, 2023, San Antonio) –?This local feature film is the story of a young man, Jesse, who comes from a luchador family. He forsakes the family name and mask, and instead tries to follow his own dreams until one day a dark and mysterious shadow brings him back into the fold by hurting everyone close to him to get what he wants.

The 44 CineFestival San Antonio will offer 13 free screenings, including Family Day on Saturday, July 15 with a morning block presenting a selection of youth films made by artists, 19 years of age or younger, followed by On Guard: A Story of American Youth (Dir. Allen Otto, 2023, Texas) and Home Is Somewhere Else (Dir. Carlos Hagerman, Jorge Villalobos, 2022, Mexico).

Free screenings will also include Senior Cinema, on Thursday, July 13 at noon featuring Conjunto Blues (Dir. Joel Celestino Settles, 2020, San Antonio) dedicated to San Antonio’s elderly film and music community. Beginning on Wednesday, July 12, “Cine en el Barrio” presents four screenings featuring a selection of international short films from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela; and a collection of short films showcasing Latinx and indigenous talent from around the US.

Three Texas short film showcases include a total of 17 short films from artists working in Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Edinburg, Kyle, El Paso, Pflugerville, and Weslaco among other Texas locations. ??

All 44th CineFestival San Antonio screenings will take place at the historic Guadalupe Theater, located at 1301 Guadalupe Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. Full festival schedule and tickets will be available Friday, June 23 at guadalupeculturalarts.org.

For more information visit www.guadalupeculturalarts.org/cine-festival/.?

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Presented by the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest has served as a springboard for emerging Latino/a storytellers, creatives, and filmmakers since its inception in 2021. The festival has opened doors and provided the opportunity for new and rising talent to showcase their work to a wider audience and earn visibility and recognition at a time when Latino/a voices continue to be underrepresented in the film and entertainment industry.

According to the Hollywood Diversity Report 2023, with the exception of total streaming film actors, people of color remained underrepresented across a variety of employment sectors both in front and behind the camera in 2022. Despite the fact that Latino/as are avid moviegoers and represent 19% of the total U.S. population, this demographic is continually underrepresented on the big screen. In 2022, theatrical film leads who were white constituted 78.4% of roles while Latinos accounted for only 2.3%. On streaming platforms, 66.7% of streaming films featured white leads while only 6.1% featured Latinos.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to nurture and promote emerging Latino/a talent in the film industry,” said Luis Alejandro Molina, ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest Director. “The younger generation of up-and-coming filmmakers and storytellers have the power to impact the narrative at an unprecedented level. Their work carries the mission of amplifying our community’s stories and providing visibility for the underrepresented. We have worked hard to build a platform for Latinos/as filmmakers to communicate their vision and unique perspectives.”

Leading up to the film festival, the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest team will present a series of virtual film chats and “Cafecito” social media live broadcasts featuring industry experts and professionals who will be sharing their stories and insights to help emerging filmmakers looking to grow in the industry.

The ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest submissions must feature a Latino/a in a creative lead position, be it in front or behind the camera. English or Spanish-language works are welcome. Films must be 30 minutes or less in length.

• Filmmakers are asked to submit their work under one of these categories:
• Music Video
• Animation
• Sci-Fi
• Politics Today (Politics or Climate Change)

Submission fees are structured as follows:

• Early Bird Entry: Free from May 1 to May 31, 2023
• Standard Entry: $20 submission fee from June 1 to July 1, 2023
• Late Entry: $25 submission fee from July 2 to August 2, 2023
• Special fees apply for student films:
• Early Bird Entry: Free from May 1 to May 31, 2023
• Standard Entry: $10 submission fee from June 1 to July 1, 2023
• Late Entry: $15 submission fee from July 2 to August 2, 2023

Eligibility Criteria:

• Winners will be selected only by judges.
• Films must be 30 minutes or less in length and related to one of the above-mentioned categories.
• Only films completed after Jan. 1, 2020, are eligible for this festival.

The top selection of films for the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest will be announced on Sept. 11, 2023. Visit www.cineyouthfest.org for a complete list of rules and eligibility criteria.

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Sanchez, a Cuban American actor, and filmmaker is known for his unforgettable appearances in popular TV shows like S.W.A.T. and Law & Order: Special Victims Unity, and breakthrough roles in action-packed films such as 2 Fast 2 Furious. He is set to star in the upcoming action film As Good As Dead, opposite Michael Jai White and Tom Berenger.

“We are thrilled to feature such a prominent and talented filmmaker and actor at the Indie Night Film Festival,” said the festival’s founder and director, John Johnson. “Sanchez’s work explores the diverse experiences of marginalized communities, and we believe his film ‘Heroes’ will resonate with our audiences in Atlanta.”

Sanchez is also set to star in the highly anticipated Apple TV+ series, Palm Royale, alongside Laura Dern and Allison Janney. In addition to acting, he recently wrote the story for the feature film 72 Hours, which was developed for the big screen by Christian Sesma and Sean Crayne.

Indie Night Film Festival’s screening of Heroes promises an immersive experience for its audience and an opportunity to hear from one of Hollywood’s leading Latino voices.

Learn more at https://indienightfilmfestival.com/indienight-atlanta/.

The post Indie Night Film Festival Screens Roberto Sanchez’s Heroes at Plaza Theater first appeared on .