The Panamanian International Film Festival in Los Angeles (PIFFLA) will celebrate the eighth year of Panafest, showcasing features, documentaries and short films from Panamá plus Latine filmmakers throughout the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The three-day festival, which also includes industry panels, poetry and more, kicks off on Friday, November 18th at Avenida Productions Studio in Los Angeles. 

“PIFF/LA is proud to bring Panafest8 to Avenida Production Studios, a pioneering studio dedicated to supporting independent projects from Latino filmmakers and more,” says Festival founder and Creative Director Carlos Carrasco. “Networking, celebrating representation, and shining a light on vibrant stories from across our communities are priorities for our festival and Avenida alike. It’s exciting to bring diverse audiences together in this important Latino-owned studio space to amplify exceptional creative and cultural work.”

The line-up includes Panama’s Academy Award submission, Birthday Boy, plus a number of works from Panama and/or by Panamanians. Many other countries are represented, including the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Venezuela. The opening film, Coast, comes to Panafest via producer Wendy Guerrero, President of the Bentonville Film Festival. Coast is rich with diverse representation and an exciting cast of new and known talent. The closing film, My DACA Life, is the documentary work of award-winning Avenida co-founder, Fanny Velíz Grande whose doc My Quinceañera was a Panafest Audience Award Winner in 2019. 

For a schedule of screenings and Tickets CLICK HERE