This May, six film festivals across the country highlight Latinx and Latin American cinema, featuring a substantial selection of films from these regions. From the Caribbean diaspora to archival Colombian cinema, to new films by up-and-coming filmmakers, these events will showcase a variety of recent features and short films. These festivals provide local and national audiences with the opportunity to experience some of the finest contemporary films from Latin America and the Latinx USA.
Check them out!
THIRD HORIZON FILM FESTIVAL
May 9-12
The 7th edition of Third Horizon Film Festival returns to Miami, Florida from May 9th through the 12th, with films by the Caribbean and its diaspora’s cutting-edge moving-image artists. With several shorts programs as well as curated events screening at the Pérez Art Museum and the Koubek Center, the Miami festival showcases Latinx and Caribbean up-and-coming artists. Some highlights include the closing night’s screening of Ian Harnarine’s Doubles, the Dominican film Ramona by Victoria Linares Villegas, and the documentary Calls from Moscow / Llamadas desde Moscú by Luis Alejandro Yero.
CINE LAS AMÉRICAS
May 15-19
The 26th edition of the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival will take place May 15-19 in Austin, Texas, showcasing new releases, narratives, documentaries, music videos, “Emergencia” youth films, and a special Hecho en Tejas (Made in Texas) series. Over 25 countries will be represented and awards will be given in both juried and audience favorite categories. Some highlights include the Colombian documentary Igualada by Juan Mejía Botero, the Mexican drama Sujo by Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez, and the Latinx documentary God Save Texas: La Frontera by Iliana Sosa.
THE COLOMBIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NEW YORK
May 16-19
The festival which is dedicated to the exhibition of Colombia’s roots and talent is determined to unify the existing diaspora of the country and the New York community. This year’s 11th edition showcases a curated selection of fiction, non-fiction shorts and features, as well as screenings of restored Colombian films. This year’s opening night film is the documentary El viaje de la marimba by Marino Aguado. The documentary is a living portrait of how ancestral music is nourished by the soil in which it is born or the air that its creators breathe.
CINEMA TUCSÓN
May 22
Cinema Tucsón, the ongoing monthy series of Mexican films at the Fox Tucson Theatre, will present in May, a special screening of Down the Rabbit Hole / Fiesta en la madriguera. Based on the celebrated debut novel by Mexican author Juan Pablo Villalobos and adapted by Academy Award winner Nicolás Giacobone (Birdman), Down the Rabbit Hole delves into the dichotomy of privilege and peril. Directed by acclaimed Mexican writer-filmmaker Manolo Caro (Tales of an Immoral Couple, The House of Flowers), this satirical dramedy navigates the complexities of a young kid’s world with poignant precision, offering a compelling exploration of innocence and corruption within a realm of extravagance.
PHILADELPHIA LATINO ARTS & FILM FESTIVALS
May 26-July 7
The Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival (PHLAFF) was established in 2012 and has become the Greater Philadelphia region’s only festival showcasing the extraordinary and innovative work of emerging and established Latine/x/a/o filmmakers. PHLAFF’s programming focuses on the diverse experiences and realities of our people. PHLAFF has evolved into an international film festival that brings the best of Latine/x/a/o stories to a wide audience. PHLAFF attracts a diverse audience, developing a new space in the Philadelphia region where filmmakers, actors, producers and creatives can meet with other artists, engage with audiences and present and discuss innovative work.
LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
May 29 —June 2
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), presented by the Latino Film Institute (LFI) is dedicated to showcasing the entirety of human experience from the Latino perspective, whether through film, television, digital, music, art, or any other vehicle, regardless of platform. This year’s lineup, in its 23rd edition, includes a selection of fiction and non-fiction shorts and features that showcase the Latino experience. Screening at its opening and closing night is In The Summers by Alessandra Lacorazza and Grassland by William Bermudez, Sam Friedman, respectively.
