Cesar Chavez (pictured), Diego Luna's biopic of the Mexican-American civil rights leader, was the winner of the audience award in the Narrative Spotlight section of the 2014 edition of the SXSW Festival in Austin. The film, which had its U.S. premiere at the Texan festival, chronicles the birth of a modern American movement led by famed civil rights leader and labor organizer.
Torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to bringing dignity and justice to others, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle for the rights of farm workers. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the system. The film starring Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson and John Malkovich, opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, March 28, released by Pantelion Films.
Additionally, the American film Exists directed by Cuban-born filmmaker Eduardo Sánchez was the winner of the Audience Award in the Midnighters section of the festival.
The 2014 edition of the SXSW Film Festival took place March 7-15.
