Three Latina entrepreneurs have anchored Highland Park’s York Boulevard for up to 17 years, building businesses that became the backbone of one of LA’s most celebrated independent corridors. This Saturday, October 11, the 11th Annual Mercado Fall Festival (12-8 PM, York Blvd between Avenues 50-52) celebrates them with a free, three-block party of art, food, and community.

The festival’s main stage, Friends Over Followers, is hosted by LABellatini (Isabel Reyes), a DJ, curator, and community connector who has activated markets and showcases across Los Angeles for years. Her lineup spotlights Highland Park’s musicians, dancers, and performers – many of whom work at the very businesses lining York Boulevard. LABellatini’s work embodies what the Mercado stands for: joy, representation, and collaboration.

The festival’s three Latina entrepreneurs who have anchored York Boulevard for years: Noelle Reyes has run Mi Vida Boutique since 2008, providing a platform for Chicanx artists and creatives for 17 years. Corissa Hernandez, a first-generation Chicana entrepreneur and financial educator, co-founded Nativo and Legacy Full Circle Financial. At the Mercado, Nativo debuts a special cocktail menu with drinks inspired by neighboring businesses. Marcy Guevara-Prete launched The Plus Bus in 2015, LA’s premiere mobile plus-size boutique creating community and style for a market the fashion industry ignores.

These women represent a growing wave of Latina business leadership, creating spaces that are not only successful but intentional about who they serve and what they represent.

This year carries special meaning. As small businesses and street vendors across Los Angeles face economic pressure, the Mercado is both a celebration and an act of resilience – a moment to rebuild, reconnect, and reaffirm the creative economy that defines Highland Park.

Now in its second decade, the Mercado Fall Festival stands as both celebration and statement: that culture, creativity, and local business ownership remain the heartbeat of Northeast Los Angeles. With live music, lowriders, art activations, and over 100 neighborhood vendors, the Mercado continues to grow as one of LA’s most beloved community events – powered by collaboration, heritage, and pride.

Mercado Fall Festival
 York Blvd between Avenues 50 & 52, Highland Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12 PM – 8 PM
Music, food, art, car clubs, and local vendors

Follow @FriendsOverFollowers for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.

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“After eight successful years of bringing unique, independent cinema to Northeast L.A., the Highland Park Independent Film Festival is looking forward to our busiest and best year yet,” said HPIFF Co-Founder Mark Reitman.

Kicking off the celebration of the independent film scene, HPIFF’s Opening Night on October 7 will pay homage to the 30th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs that was originally filmed locally throughout Highland Park. The red carpet to open the fest begins at 6 p.m. and the opening night program will follow with the free screening of the film itself preceded by a special presentation of the short film Abuelo, starring Pepe Serna (Scarface) and Izabella Alvarez (Euphoria). 

Previously presented to notable actors like Danny Trejo, this year’s Highland Park Independent Film Festival Humanitarian Award will be presented to Executive Producer and life-long Activist, Dolores Huerta, preceding the screening of her work on Feature Documentary, Backstreet to the American Dream on closing day of October 8 at 4 p.m. Directed by award-winning filmmaker and journalist Patricia Nazario, the bilingual documentary explores the modern-day American Dream and takes a deep dive into the birthplace of the food truck revolution – Los Angeles – which juxtaposes the experiences of American entrepreneurs and Mexican immigrants in the industry.

For the first time in its history, HPIFF will showcase a block of short Horror films, Horror in the Hood, featuring three world premieres screening on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. following the screening of Reservoir Dogs. 

An impressive line-up of short blocks including award-winning short films screens on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.  These films represent the best of independent cinema from across the country and the world with a focus on local, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ voices. 

This year’s award categories include, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, Best Performance, Best Cinematography, Best Musical Composition, Audience Awards and Honorable Mentions, among others. 

The Highland Park Independent Film Festival program consists of the following films and screening times:

Opening Night Films, Friday October 7, 2022 at 7 PM, Theater 2

“ABUELO”

Directed by Kayvon Derak Shanian

Reservoir Dogs

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Horror In the Hood Friday, October 7 at 9:30 PM, Theater 2

“I’ll Be Back Tomorrow”

Directed by Summers Brothers Slabaugh

“Worm Food” – World Premiere

Directed by Joel & Shane O’Loughlin

“Something in the Garden”

Directed by Marcos Sánchez

“7 MINUTES IN HELL”

Directed by Jacob Rosenthal

“A Little Dead”

Directed by Ben Richardson

“Kickstart my Heart”

Directed by Kelsey Bollig

“Hell Hole”

Directed by Gregory Shultz

“Midnight Screams” – World Premiere

Directed by Sean Menendez

“Relax With Draco” – World Premiere

Directed by Julia Zanin de Paula

“Survivers”

Directed by Carlos Gómez-Trigo

SCI-FI ON FIG, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 12 PM, Theater 2  

“Talk to Me”                                                                 

Directed by Daren Dien      

“See You On The Other Side”

Directed by Summers Brothers  

“Empiricism” 

Directed by Nate Hapke 

“ZER0 0NE ZER0”

Directed by Graham High   

“Sophie & Stephen” – World Premiere

Directed by Rob Perri                                                                            

“Another Night Out” – World Premiere

Directed by Jamie Connors

“Twenty Four Heaven”

Directed by Anna Tes                                                                  

“Keep/Delete”

Directed by Kryzz Gautier

ARROYO SECO Shorts, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 2:30 PM, Theater 2 

“My Summer Vacation” 

Directed by Kelly O’Sullivan

“The Great American Short Story”                                                     

Directed by Daniel  Maggio  

“Car Stealers”                                                

Directed by Christopher Guerrero

“Uqi” – World Premiere

Directed by Peter Cameron

“Dog Lover” –  World Premiere                                                                 

Directed by Anne-Sophie Bine

“What a Harvest” – World Premiere                                                                          

Directed by Austin Davison

“Return to Sender”

Directed by Russell Goldman

“Out and Back”

Directed by Chad Corhan                                                                      

Los Filmmakers ’22, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 5 PM, Theater 2

“La Macana”                                     

Directed by Maria Mealla

“CANCELED”

Directed by Christopher Guerrero

“Calabaza”

Directed by Stephanie Osuna-Hernandez 

“No Soy Óscar”                                                                 

Directed by Jon Ayon 

“Borders”                                                                 

Directed by Frank Velasquez 

“Huella”                                                                     

Directed by Gabriela Ortega

“Hey”                                                                                

Directed by Felix Martiz

“Chico Virtual”

Directed by Olivia De Camps

“Lodo”                                                                   

Directed by Alessandro Gentile                                                                                      

ROUTE 66 Shorts, Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 8 PM, Theater 2

“UNBOUND”

Directed by Sarah Moshman

“Frank & Emmet”

Directed by Carlos F.Puertolas

“The Lonely Store”

Directed by Amy Roy

“Hotter Up Close”

Directed by Leland Montgomery 

“White Now Please”                                                           

Directed by Kyle Lau

“Madness Incarnate” –  World Premiere

Directed by Olivia Wong

“Lead/Follow” – L.A. / California Premiere

Directed by Colby Day

“The Weight of It”

Directed by The Weight of It

“So Much More to Offer”

Directed by Sheila Sofian

“These Hands Were Made For Knockn’”

Directed by Laura Herring                                     

Documentary Features, Screening in Order Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Theater 3 at 12, 1, 2:30 and 4 PM             

Échale Ganas: The Villa’s Tacos Story   

Directed by Shirley Yumeng He

UNIDAD: Gay & Lesbian Latinos Unidos                                           

Directed by Gregorio Davila

Sound of The Surf                                     

Directed by John Blair

Backstreet to the American Dream                                                                  

Directed by Patricia Nazario 

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