In March, four U.S. Latinx and Latin American film festivals and series are happening in California, Texas, and Arizona. These events will showcase numerous recent features and short films, some in a hybrid format combining in-person screenings and streaming. This offers local and national audiences the opportunity to experience some of the finest contemporary films from Latin America and the Latinx USA.
Don’t miss this chance!"
WATSONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL
March 7—17
The Watsonville Film Festival highlights Latinx filmmakers and stories that illuminate our shared humanity and inspire positive change. The 2024 edition will present over 30 films—both with in-person screenings and streaming options— including Juliana Curi’s feature documentary debut, Uýra: The Rising Forest, Maize in Times of War / El maíz en tiempos de guerra by Alberto Cortés, Bulls and Saints by Rodrigo Dorfman and Peter Eversoll, plus a special 15th anniversary screening of La Mission by Peter Bratt; in addition to special in-person short film screenings and after parties.
SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL
March 14—24
The San Diego Latino Film Festival is a 10-day celebration of Latino Cinema, Arts & Culture. The 2024 edition of this California event will screen over 140 titles from Latin America and the United States; plus Opening Night and Closing Night Parties, special screenings, Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, live music events, and the annual Sabor Latino Food, Beer & Wine Festival. Some highlights include The Day I Met You / O Dia Que Te Conheci by André Novais Oliveira, Frida by Carla Gutiérrez, Pictures of Ghosts / Retratos Fantasmas by Kleber Mendonça Filho, Trenque Lauquen by Laura Citarella, and The Echo / El eco by Tatiana Huezo.
HOUSTON LATINO FILM FESTIVAL
March 20—24
The Houston Latino Film Festival aims to educate and enlighten the communities of the South Texas region about Latino culture and issues through film and video, while also recognizing the contributions of the artists who are dedicated to the craft of filmmaking. Its 8th edition will take place March 20-24 at MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston and will screen 55 features and short films from Latin America, including Igualada by Juan Mejía Botero, About Thirty / Arturo a los 30 by Martín Shanly, The Long Game by Julio Quintana, and A Thousand Pines by Noam Osband and Sebastián Díaz.
CINEMA TUCSÓN
March 27
Cinema Tucsón, the ongoing monthy series of Mexican films at the Fox Tucson Theatre, will present in March, the classic film Victims of Sin / Víctimas del pecado. Rarely screened in the United States and long due for rediscovery, the film is famed Mexican director Emilio Fernández’s unique blend of film noir, melodrama, and musical. Fully restored in 4K from the original 35mm nitrate camera negative, which had been damaged from mishandling over the decades. Starring the Cuban-born acting-dancing sensation Ninón Sevilla as Violeta, a cabaret performer who adopts the abandoned child of Rita and Rodolfo , her murderous pimp. Motherhood forces Violeta to give up her career, but the kindhearted club owner Santiago saves her from a life of poverty and prostitution—until Rodolfo, freed from prison, seeks to reclaim his son.
