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 award-winning Impro Theatre kicks off 2020 with Winterfest, its 4th annual international improv festival, January 6-12, 2020. This year’s Winterfest expands to 7 days with nearly 3 dozen events celebrating the art of narrative improvisation around the world. Winterfest takes place at the intimate Impro Studio, located in the heart of Los Feliz, CA.

Winterfest is a 7-day live performance festival showcasing some of the best genre and narrative improv talent from the U.S. and around the world. It features 19 different shows, 13 specialized improv workshops for all ages and levels, and over 75 international performers. Highlights include performances and workshops from acclaimed improvisational companies Det Andre Teatret, direct from Oslo, Norway, and Ratas de Dos Patas, Chicago’s newest Latinx female sensation! Impro Theatre’s Main Company will also perform their rarely seen acclaimed show Dorothy Parker UnScripted. The complete Winterfest schedule can be found HERE

In Southern California, Impro has performed sold-out shows at South Coast Repertory, The Broad Stage, The Pasadena Playhouse, North Coast Repertory, Garry Marshall Theatre, and many more. Venues around the world include the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, Evans Auditorium at Texas State University, The Melbourne Fringe in Australia and Theatre Adyar in Paris.

Impro has received multiple Ovation Recommended honors in Los Angeles and Critics’ Picks everywhere they perform.

Based in Oslo, Norway, Det Andre Teatret is Norway’s first and largest independent improv/fringe theatre. They focus on combining improvisation, storytelling and theatricality, as well as their playful risk- loving attitude have. During Winterfest Det Andre Teatret will offer 2 performances and conduct 3 different workshops. 

Ratas de Dos Patas hailing from Chicago is a collective of four women who have taken the Chicago improv scene by storm. They were nominated for Outstanding Improv Ensemble by the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists, and have performed in the Melanin Festival at Second City, at Steppenwolf’s Lookout Series and at The Annoyance Theatre, among many other places in Chicago. They curate many of their shows to feature people-of-color, LGBTQ and differently-abled performers.

Winterfest takes place from January 6 to 12, 2020. Most performances start at $10 or $15, and workshops start at $50. Tickets and the complete schedule of performances and workshops can be found HERE

The Impro Studio is located at 1727 N. Vermont Ave., #208, Los Angeles, CA 90027, in the heart of Los Feliz Village. Impro Theatre’s Winterfest is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

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