San Diego Latino Film Festival 2014 by Media Arts Center San Diego

welcome Welcome to the 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival!

Founder’s Welcome: As we kick-off our 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 1323, 2014), I’m constantly reminded of what an honor it is being involved with this amazing experience. Each year we connect with new and returning filmmakers, actors, community partners, sponsors, attendees, staff and volunteers; and although there are highs and lows during every festival, it’s always awe-inspiring to witness the1000s of people who participate in this annual tradition! Like the screening of this year’s acclaimed documentary about Cesar Chavez’s teachings (Cesar’s Last Fast), our annual festival and on-going non-profit work reinforce our commitment to focus on the positive and to keep moving forward! Through the art of film, we're striving to build understanding and relationships for justice-sake, and that's a humbling and life-affirming task! Thanks in large part to the annual film festival, our non-profit MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego has made more incredible strides this past year. We’ve educated 1000s of youth and adults via our filmmaker & technology workshops; and we’ve opened San Diego’s first-ever non-profit movie theater in North Park, exhibiting first-run independent and foreign films daily. Additionally, the Digital Gym CINEMA is the only movie theater in the U.S. that presents week-long releases of Spanish-speaking/Latino films monthly. If you have not seen our new Digital Gym CINEMA and community technology center yet, please come by and visit us!

Letter from Director of Programming: There’s never enough time. It’s a truth that you learn very quickly during the roller-coaster ride that is the film festival planning process. But in a way all the uncontrollable variables (and lack of sleep) enable you to appreciate the singularity of each crazy moment, and ultimately enjoy the chaos as something inevitable and beautiful. For me, the 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival is a celebration of community, culture, and cinema. It’s a diverse selection of films, a mosaic of genres, styles, and perspectives that speak to the vibrancy of Latino cinema from around the world and here in the United States. There are plenty of high-profile movies with stars (John Leguizamo, Jaime Camil) included in the program, but even more discoveries waiting to be cherished. Audiences will find pockets of light and joy, but also corners of darkness, and it’s my hope that the adventurous patron will experience them both with the same level of inquisitiveness and enjoyment. Film is a powerful medium for social change and justice, and SDLFF proves why every year. Our goal is to highlight those crucial viewpoints and perspectives that are so often marginalized by the mainstream, and it’s been my pleasure to work with our wonderful team toward achieving this objective.

Have a wonderful time at this year’s celebration of Latino Cinema and thank you for all your support. Nos vemos en el cine!

Please enjoy the films, parties, industry panels, workshops, and all the other festivities that have come to define San Diego Latino Film Festival as a positive force in the San Diego / Tijuana border region. Thank you for your support!

Ethan van Thillo Executive Director

Glenn Heath Jr. Director of Programming

Contents FROM THE DIRECTOR....................................... 03

cine gay........................................................ 32

FESTIVAL STAFF................................................ 04

arte latino/artist spotlight. ..................... 34

SPONSORS..................................................... 05

latino public broadcasting...................... 41

COMMUNITY PARTNERS.................................. 07

schedule....................................................... 42

Mexico Today............................................... 12

youth visions.............................................. 45

HBO U.S./Latino Showcase. ........................ 14

¡tu cine!........................................................ 46

Spotlight Film Showcase........................... 16

Filmmaker Workshops & Career Expo.. ..... 48

Cuban Film Showcase. ................................ 19

Festival in tijuana. ...................................... 50

Comedy Showcase...................................... 21

Ticket Information..................................... 51

un mundo extraÑo.................................... 22

NARRATIVE FEATURES. ..................................... 52

parties........................................................... 27

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES............................... 68

documania!................................................. 28

SHORT FILMS PROGRAM.................................. 74

para la familia............................................. 31

Film Index..................................................... 80

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Staff Film Festival Staff

Media Arts Center Staff

Executive Director & Founder Ethan van Thillo Director of Programming Glenn Heath Jr. Programmer and Membership Coordinator Moises Esparza

Special Events Coordinators Elena Savella Kristine Huynh Vanessa Diaz Blanca Nieto Raquel Aispuro Mike Newton Vanessa Barron

Community Outreach Coordinator Juan Lopez Marketing Coordinator Ian Virgilio Special Guests Martha Cardona - Talent Relations Manager Tony DiGregorio Isela Ramirez Alex Maal Kimberly Palafox

Narrative Jury Nicole Gomez Fisher Michael Nordine Fina Torres Documentary Jury Mario Alegre Alysa Nahmia Cristina Ibarra Ticket Coordinators Helen Guzman Maria DiGregorio Theater Managers Martin Johnson Mark Gadia

Press Coordinator Ernesto Lopez Sonido Latino Saul Silva

Graphic Design Franko Rosas Cristobal Castro

Family Programming Genevieve Rubenstein Arte Latino Andy Gonzalez

Web Design Mario Alvarado Host Yolanda S. Walther-Meade

Guest Programmers Gonzalo Lopez Miguel Rodriguez

Sponsorships Medicis Communications Programs Associate Erick Vazquez

2014 Film Festival Selection Commitee Maria Elena Delgado Ernesto Gonzalez Michael Neel

Jennifer Silva Redmond Russell Redmond Will Wellman

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Operations Manager Amanda Barcarena Media Director Ryan Kuratomi Digital Gym Cinema Manager Aidan Devlon Digital Gym Cinema Artistic Director Lisa Franek Teen Producers Coordinator Lisa Salus Workshop Coordinator Leticia Ridley Video Production Services Brian Meyers Carlos Solorio Marco Chavez Digital Gym Cinema Staff Cecil Pratt Melissa Duenas Joey Reyes Nick MacDonell Mark Allen Development Grace van Thillo Shanna Trenholm Jessie Chatigney

sponsors major sponsor s

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San Diego Latino Film Festival

sponsors o fficia l magaz ine sp onsor

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o f f i c i a l t ra n spo r tat i o n spo n so r

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o f f i c i a l e n g l i s h -l a n g u a g e r a di o s p o n sors

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San Diego Latino Film Festival

community partners MIL GRACIAS to all our wonderful Community Partners & for supporting the 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival: Azraelola Productions ADL (Anti-Defamation League) www.adl.org Border Angels www.borderangels.org Brazilian Productions www.brazilcarnival.com Centro Cultural de la Raza www.centroculturaldelaraza.com Filmout San Diego www.filmoutsandiego.com Film Consortium of San Diego filmconsortiumsd.com German Current www.germancurrentssd.org/en/ Hands That Rock! www.handsthatrock.org Hispanic American House of the Arts www.handsthatrock.org Horrible Imaginings Film Festival www.hifilmfest.com House of Colombia houseofcolombiasandiego.com House of Mexico www.houseofmexico.org House of Puerto Rico www.houseofpuertorico.com House of Spain casadeespanasd.com Latin American Arts Council of the San Diego Museum of Art www.sdmart.org NLBWA - SD www.nlbwa-sd.com MANA San Diego www.manasd.org National City Mariachi Festival and Competition www.mariachifest.com American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial Counties www.redcross.org/ca/san-diego San Diego Film Critics Society www.sdfcs.org TRIBE UCSDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies usmex.ucsd.edu

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Mexico Today

hat defines Mexico today? Amidst all of the country’s current political transition and economic volatility, it’s a valid question that citizens on both sides of the border are faced with every day. Furthermore, how do these experiences reflect outward through the lens of the cinema, our most unifying artistic medium? The films in our Mexico Today Showcase address these questions and more through fascinating and challenging human stories. In their own ways, each is about the desire to reclaim strength in a time period of Mexican history often defined by violence and uncertainty. Subverting various genres and archetypes with reckless abandon, this mosaic of Mexican cinema reinforces the need for national stability, by exposing the ripple effects of corruption, greed, and gender insecurity. In short, they are a collection of Mexico’s finest.

The Amazing Catfish SUN 3/16 / 8:30 / S1 WED 3/19 / 9:15 / S7 FRI 3/21 / 6:15 / DGC

La jaula de oro SAT 3/15 / 9:45 / S6 MON 3/17 / 8:30 / S1 SAT 3/22 / 3:30 / S1

Dir. Claudia Sainte-Luce (Mexico, 89 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) In this charming debut from director Claudia Sainte-Luce, a lonely woman named Claudia (Ximena Ayala) meets ailing matriarch Martha (Lisa Owen) in a hospital room they are both sharing. This chance encounter changes both of their lives forever; and begins a road trip involving Claudia, Martha, and her four children. Together, this group of Guadalajara residents will form a makeshift family that is uniquely progressive. This wonderful comedy has been a hit at festivals from Toronto to Locarno.

Dir. Diego Quemada-Díez (Mexico, 102 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) A trio of Guatemalan teens decide to make the 1,200 mile journey north through Mexico to the United States. Diego QuemadaDíez’s brilliant drama explores the difficult obstacles facing them along the way, and how quickly they can be separated on a moment’s notice. In the vein of Gregory Nava’s El Norte and Robert Young’s ¡Alambrista!, La jaula de oro doesn’t shy away from the difficult realities of immigration, while also developing complex characters working together to survive an unpredictable landscape. Championed as a new voice in Mexican cinema at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Heli FRI 3/14 / 10:00 / S2 MON 3/17 / 9:45 / S6 FRI 3/21 / 10:00 / S2 Dir. Amat Escalante (Mexico, 105 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) A naive and arrogant police cadet decides to steal money from his corrupt superiors, endangering his young girlfriend and her innocent family in the process. This central decision creates terrifying consequences that ripple outward, affecting everyone involved, and ultimately revealing the omniscient sense of control and power wielded by both the narcos and law enforcement officers in modern Mexico. Amat Escalante won the Best Directing award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for his intense, often disturbing crime drama.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Mexico Today Levantamuertos FRI 3/21 / 5:00 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 10:30 / S1 Dir. Miguel Nuñez (Mexico, 82 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Ivan works with dead people. He is a young coroner trying to establish a successful career path in a profession with stiff competition. Miguel Nuñez’s pitch black comedy follows Ivan as he makes his way through the hottest day of the year in a rural Mexican town filled with oddball characters and dangerous liaisons. Throw in a pet pig, and you’ve got a strange, edgy portrait of modern Mexico on the brink of madness. Somos Mari Pepa THU 3/13 / 5:30 / S2 SAT 3/15 / 5:00 / S6 MON 3/17 / 10:15 / S1 Dir. Samuel Kishi (Mexico, 100 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) A soft-spoken 16-year-old tries to start a rock band with his friends ,only to find the venture become more complicated as teenage life gets in the way. A vivacious indie film from Mexican director Samuel Kishi, Somos Mari Pepa contemplates the fragmentation of artistic expression over time and the clash of generations, all while showcasing some truly invigorating music. There aren’t many films that are this honest about the ebbs and flows of growing up, but Kishi’s film is just that.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

HBO U.S. Latino Filmmakers Showcase March 13-23, 2014

Discovering and celebrating new Latino talent behind the camera

has long been a goal and direction of our programming. Each year we work tirelessly to help young filmmakers showcase their work to a wider audience. This fosters a strong cultural and artistic environment for young filmmakers, allowing them to engage with new audiences and professionals in dynamic ways. The showcase for 2014 represents a unique, far-reaching celebration of U.S. Latino films and filmmaking that includes guest filmmakers, actors, reception, awards, audience Q&As, workshops, and special free student outreach screenings. U.S. Latino Film Showcase will include the following activities, special guests and films: Presented by My Sister’s Quinceañera Dir. Aaron Douglas Johnston 200 Cartas Dir. Bruno Irizarry

(U.S./ Puerto Rico, 99 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/13 / 6:15 / DGC | SAT 3/22 / 8:00 / S2 | SUN 3/23 / 4:30 / S7 After meeting a mysterious Puerto Rican woman named Maria (Mayra Matos) one night in New York City, Raul (Lin-Manuel Miranda) is struck by love at first sight. But fate separates the two before Raul can confess his attraction. With the help of his friend Juan (Mexican superstar Jaime Camil), the two men descend upon Puerto Rico with the hopes of finding Raul’s beautiful love interest. With an irresistible cast, flirty dialogue, and gorgeous on-location photography, 200 Cartas is a loving ode to the romantic comedy genre. Avenues Dir. Aaref Rodriguez (U.S., 88 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SAT 3/15 / 10:30 / S1 | TUE 3/18 / 10:15 / S1 | SAT 3/22 / 5:30 / S2 Recently released from prison, Saul Sanchez (Hector Atreyu Ruiz, in a stunning lead performance) returns home to Highland Park, a gang-infested neighborhood in Los Angeles. Caught between a violent past and an uncertain future, Saul finds himself struggling to start anew. Director Aaref Rodriguez’s film is an honest and moving character study that doesn’t shy away from the challenges facing a young man trying to find peace in a violent world. Detained in the Desert Dir. Iliana Sosa (USA, 95 min., 2013, English)

TUE 3/18 / 7:30 / S6 | SUN 3/23 / 5:00 / DGC Written by Josefina Lopez (Real Women Have Curves), this drama centers around two very different people on opposite sides of the immigration debate who find themselves lost in the desert. Under such drastic circumstances, the rhetoric of political ideology and judgment fade away to reveal the humanity and compassion necessary to understand another’s perspective.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

(U.S., 72 min., 2013, English)

SUN 3/16 / 3:00 / S2 | WED 3/19 / 8:00 / DGC | FRI 3/21 / 8:00 / S2 Using a cast of Mexican-Americans with no previous acting experience, Aaron Douglas Johnston creates a film of raw emotion and honesty. Set in a small town in Iowa, the Garcia family comes to grips with life’s changing routines and expectations. Older brother Silas dreams of leaving for the city, while the rest of the family focuses on planning his bratty sister’s upcoming quinceañera. Not only a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of independent filmmaking, My Sister’s Quinceañera is a lovely portrait of a family grappling with the pull of transition. Sombras de azul Dir. Kelly Daniela Norris (U.S./Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) SAT 3/15 / 5:30 / S2 | THU 3/20 / 6:00 / S1 | SUN 3/23 / 2:30 / S6 Shot entirely in Cuba, Kelly Daniela Norris’ beautiful romance follows Maribel, a young Mexican woman, as she traverses Havana in the wake of her brother’s suicide, trying to make sense of the grief she is feeling. Here, she meets Eusebio, a petty thief and wood craftsman, who becomes her tour guide through a bustling and vibrant city brimming with possibility. Particularly attuned to the smaller moments that make such a resounding emotional impact, the film is a gorgeous representation of how memory and perspective merge together. Stand Clear of the Closing Doors Dir. Sam Fleischner (U.S., 102 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SUN 3/16 / 5:00 / S6 | THU 3/20 / 6:15 / DGC Ricky’s life is dominated by his autism. He wants to see the world at his own pace but school and family restrictions often get in the way. Such a chance arises when his sister decides to hang out with a friend, leaving Ricky free to board a subway by himself and get lost in the maze of New York City’s transit routes. Sam Fleischner’s moving independent film is a lovely city symphony that is wonderfully attuned to the rhythms of its character’s emotions.

HBO U.S. Latino Filmmakers Showcase Water & Power Dir. Richard Montoya (U.S., 87 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/13 / 9:15 / S7 | SAT 3/22 / 6:00 / S1 Twin brothers with the nicknames “Water” and “Power” find themselves on opposite sides of the law in East Los Angeles. One is a decorated cop, the other a corrupt senator. Both are forced to reconcile their differences when violence threatens their futures. Based on his own play, director Richard Montoya (a member of Culture Clash) pays homage to the classic film noir with this modern tale of regret, fatality, and betrayal. Co-starring the late Lupe Ontiveras.

Documentary Features Cesar’s Last Fast Dirs. Lorena Parlee, Richard Ray Perez (U.S., 100 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English)

THU 3/13 / 8:00 / DGC | MON 3/17 / 8:00 / S2 | SAT 3/22 / 7:30 / S6 Using remarkable unseen footage and candid interviews, directors Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee examine the last act of protest in the amazing life of Cesar Chavez. The year was 1988, and for 36 days Chavez participated in a water-only hunger strike to draw attention to the disturbing and horrific effects of unfettered pesticide use on farm workers, their families, and their communities. The result is a powerful documentary that does justice to a powerful activist who spent his life fighting for the rights of others. Premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

Special Events: HBO’s U.S. Latino Filmmakers Showcase Reception Saturday, March 22, 4:00-6:00pm Mingle with filmmakers and industry executives while we celebrate new and exciting voices in U.S. Latino Cinema. Appetizers and free drinks by Stella. Venue: Bassmnt - 919 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 General Admission $15 Special Guests: Richard Montoya, Kelly Daniella Norris, Seedne Bujaidar, Aaref Rodriguez, Hector Atreyu Ruiz, and Richard Ray Perez.

Purgatorio Dir. Rodrigo Reyes (Mexico, 80 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SUN 3/23 / 5:00 / S6 Beautiful and haunting, this dream-like documentary re-imagines the U.S./Mexico border as a surreal place where spellbound residents are stuck between perception and reality. Pristine imagery is key to director Rodrigo Reyes’ ethereal vision, painting a sometimes brutal landscape with vibrant colors and textures. As a result, Purgatorio challenges the typical definition of non-fiction cinema, residing somewhere on the boundary of narrative and essay film.

A Late Man Dir. Fidel Ruiz-Healy (USA, 10 min., 2013, English)

Shorts SAT 3/22 / 124 MIN / 1:00 PM / S1 A collection of fantastic short films made by Latino filmmakers from the United States.

Llegar A Ti

Alta Exposición

Dir. Shahir Daud (USA, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Alejandro Torres Rezzio(USA, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

La Loteria Dir. Cecilia Robles (USA, 27 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Retrograde The Earth, the Way I Left It Dir. Jeff Pinilla (USA, 17 min., 2013, English)

Dir. Guy Lorey de Mola (USA, 20 min., 2013, English)

Interstate

Dir. Reinaldo Marcus Green (USA/ South Africa, 14 min., 2013, Xhosa w/ English

Dir. Camille Stochitch (USA, 20 min., 2013, English)

subtitles)

Stone Cars

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Spotlight Film Showcase Gael Garcia Bernal, Kuno Becker, Martha Higareda, Ana Serradilla, and Jaime Camil! Superstars abound in this diverse and impressive selection of entertaining spotlight films that cover a range of genres and stories. You'll laugh, you'll cry, but most importantly you'll be moved by this collection of fun and accessible Latino films.

Presented by

Besos de azúcar Dir. Carlos Cuarón (Mexico, 87 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Deseo Dir. Antonio Zavala Kugler

FRI 3/14 / 9:15 / S7 | SUN 3/16 / 7:00 / S7 Nacho is a sweet boy, but his dysfunctional family and social setting threaten to turn him into a monster. Neglect and abuse run rampant in his household, which is why the smart and entrepreneurial 13-year-old spends much of his time with Cacayo (Héctor Jiménez), a kind but dim-witted man who pirates movies for a living. When Nacho meets Mayra, the daughter of a local drug lord named La Diabla, he falls head over heels in love, despite the obvious danger. Carlos Cuaron’s coming-of-age film explores the innocence of first love and how quickly it can be tainted by the adult world.

(Mexico, 97 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Cásese quien pueda Dir. Marco Polo Constandse

Espacio interior Dir. Kai Parlange Tessmann

(Mexico, 90 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Mexico, 89 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

TUE 3/18 / 8:00 / S6 | SAT 3/22 / 7:00 / S7 Martha Higareda stars as Ana, a snobby and glamour hungry socialite who gets lost in the jungle a week before her wedding. Instead of enjoying the lead up to the greatest day of her life, Ana battles snakes, mosquitoes, and harsh landscapes. This fish-outof-water comedy features stellar performances, not to mention an essential lesson regarding vanity and selfishness.

THU 3/13 / 7:00 / S7 | SUN 3/16 / 5:00 / DGC | FRI 3/21 / 9:45 / S2 Kuno Becker stars as Lázaro, a family man who is kidnapped and held for ransom in a small room. During his imprisonment, Lázaro must come to grips with all of the disappointments and doubts he has felt over the years. Meanwhile, his wife Maria (Ana Serradilla) works with authorities to try and get her husband released. But will he ever be the same man? Freedom has its price as well. A sobering psychological drama, the film explores one man’s attempt to redefine what freedom means in his life.

El cielo es azul Dir. Andrew Fierberg (U.S., 91 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SAT 3/15 / 7:30 / S6 |WED 3/19 / 10:00 / S2 | SAT 3/22 / 7:00 / DGC On vacation from Mexico, wealthy man-children Oscar (Miguel Rodarte) and Arturo (Osvaldo Benavides) are causing havoc in New York City, partying like there’s no tomorrow. Amidst the debauchery, the two get caught up in a Homeland security investigation that threatens to derail their amusement. This rambunctious comedy of mistaken identities and sexual promiscuity is a riot from start to finish. Co-starring Stephanie Stigman (Miss Bala).

San Diego Latino Film Festival

SUN 3/16 / 10:00 / S2 | TUE 3/18 / 9:15 / S7 | SUN 3/23 / 7:00 / S7 From a chance encounter between a teenage prostitute and a sailor, we will follow a chain of relationships between archetypal characters representing different strata of polarized society in Mexico, where sexual desire due to class, status and racial prejudice, will never develop into love. Sporting an all-star cast that includes Christian Bach, Lila Downs, Edith Gonzalez, Ari Borovoy, Pedro Damián, Paulina Gaitán, Paola Nunez, Gerardo Taracena, Leonor Varela, and Geraldine Zinat, Deseo is hot-blooded cinema at it’s most extreme and erotic.

Ghetto Klown Dir. Fisher Stevens (2014, 96 min., 2014, English)

SAT 3/15 / 7:00 / DGC | FRI 3/21 / 8:30 / S1 No topic or controversy is off-limits in superstar John Leguizamo’s fifth HBO solo special adapting his Drama Desk Award-winning one-man stage show of the same name. Hilarious, edgy, and poignant, Leguizamo dissects contradictions facing current topics such as race, identity, and gender with his patented wit and subversive point-of-view. The live performance also uses colorful animation and lighting designs that compliment Leguizamo’s playful but blunt stand up comedy.

Spotlight Film Showcase Header Title Me late chocolate Dir. Joaquín Bissner (Mexico, 100 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/20 / 5:00 / S6 | SAT 3/22 / 8:30 / S1 Charming as ever, Karla Souza plays Moni, a happy woman who loses her fiance Xavi (Jorge Luis Moreno) in a car accident, and must find the strength to overcome the tragedy. Instead of falling into despair, Moni chooses to follow her passion of making chocolate. Upon arriving to class, she meets Alex (Osvaldo Benavides), a handsome instructor who may be the key to her future. If only she could stop having visions of Xavi during her daily routine. As the confection mentioned in its title, Me Late Chocolate is a sweet and soothing romantic comedy that will rejuvenate your faith in love. Pánico 5 Bravo Dir. Kuno Becker (Mexico, 84 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

FRI 3/14 / 7:00 / S7 | MON 3/17 / 6:15 / DGC | THU 3/20 / 9:15 / S7 Mexican superstar Kuno Becker (Goal!) makes his writing and directing debut with this moody story about four paramedics who cross over the Arizona/Mexico border illegally in order to respond to a distress call. But no amount of training could prepare them for what they encounter next. Exciting, dark, and politically relevant, Pánico 5 Bravo represents a major step forward for Becker as an artist; while attempting to deal with the immigration debate through the lens of the classic thriller. Una pistola en cada mano Dir. Cesc Gay (Spain, 95 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

FRI 3/14 / 8:00 / DGC | WED 3/19 / 7:00 / S7 | SUN 3/23 / 5:30 / S2 Cesc Gay’s intricate and comedic mosaic explores the intersecting lives of multiple Spanish men going through various changes in their love lives. The fates align as each man comes together at a dinner party in hilariously ironic fashion. Brilliant dialogue and acting by this amazing cast make the film an indelible exploration of the modern psyche. ¿Que le dijiste a dios? Dir. Teresa Suarez (Mexico, 88 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/13 / 7:30 / S6 | WED 3/19 / 8:00 / S2 | SAT 3/22 / 2:00 / S7 Two young maids decide to steal clothes from their wealthy boss while he is away at a wedding, setting in motion a wild journey that will take them far from their small village. They might even find their own prince charmings along the way. This rambunctious comedy musical features lively music from legendary singer Juan Gabriel and a sensational young ensemble cast. Serrat y Sabina: El simbolo y el cuate Dir. Francesc Relea (Spain, 83 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

FRI / 3/21 / 7:30 / S6 | SAT / 3/22 / 4:30 / S7 Go on the road with Joan Manuel Serrat, an icon of Latin American music, and his talented companion, Joaquin Sabina, for an amazing exploration into their world music tour. In this wild romp of a documentary, the viewer will not only get to share time with music legends, but will get a first-hand look into their creative process. Both subjects express an uncanny vulnerability and openness to the camera, making their discussions all the more interesting.

Tercera llamada Dir. Francisco Franco Alba (Mexico, 92 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SAT 3/15 / 6:00 / S1 | TUE 3/18 / 7:00 / S7 What happens when a disgruntled theater troupe tries to mount an ambitious production of Albert Camus’ Caligula? In this feisty Mexican comedy, all hell breaks loose. In the end, the film is a loving tribute to the gleeful mania of the theater. Starring amazing actors such as Karina Gidi, Irene Azuela, Mariana Trevino, Fernando Lujan and Cecilia Suarez. Thesis on a Homicide Dir. Hernán Golfrid (Argentina, 106 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SAT 3/15 / 8:30 / S1 | THU 3/20 / 7:00 / S7 | SUN 3/23 / 9:15 / S7 Argentine star Ricardo Darin plays as a respected criminologist and professor who becomes suspicious of a student after a series of murders rock the campus. His investigation leads him down a dark and dangerous path that could not only unravel his career, but make him the next victim. Who is Dayani Cristal? Dir. Marc Silver (U.S., 82 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

FRI 3/14 / 6:15 / DGC | TUE 3/18 / 8:30 / S1 | SAT 3/22 / 2:30 / S6 Mixing documentary and fiction, director Marc Silver’s hybrid film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a migrant making his way from Latin America up to the U.S./Mexico border. Intercut within this narrative is the true story of staff from the Arizona Medical Examiner’s office investigating the death of a migrant bearing the tattoo, “Dayani Cristal.” Violet Dir. Luiso Berdejo (U.S./Spain, 90 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/13 / 8:00 / S2 | MON 3/17 / 7:00 / S7 |THU 3/20 / 8:00 / DGC Alex is a young Spanish photographer visiting Santa Monica, Los Angeles hoping to learn more about his grandfather. A falling palm frond and a mysterious woman in a polaroid sets off a series of events that will lead him down a wild and fate-riddled journey through the City of Angels. This tale of happenstance and desire is both charming and romantic, and co-stars Ricardo Darin and Carlos Bardem.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Cuban Film Showcase In honor of the 55th anniversary of Instituto Cubano del Arte y

la Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC), San Diego Latino Film Festival is proud to present this group of Cuban films from both past and present. Established by the Cuban government in March 1959 post-Revolution, ICAIC quickly became an essential national institution, promoting homegrown film production, art literacy, and education. In the decades since, ICAIC faculty and students have played a large role in solidifying Cuba’s identity through the power of cinema, showing their work at film festivals around the world. We are honored to showcase some of the finest efforts produced by ICAIC alumni, including three films by the late Cuban master, Daniel Díaz Torres.

Presented by

Los dioses rotos Dir. Ernesto Daranas

Lisanka Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres

(Cuba, 96 min., 2008, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Cuba, 110 min., 2010, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

TUE 3/18 / 4:00 / DGC Laura is an acclaimed scholar obsessed with studying a famous Cuban pimp who was shot dead in the streets of Havana. In order to expand her area of study, Laura sets out to explore the seedier areas of the city; a decision that introduces her to a world of prostitution, blackmail, and violence.

SAT 3/15 / 1:00 / DGC Daniel Díaz Torres’ revealing and honest romance is set in a fictitious rural village at the peak of the Cuban missile crisis. Within this tense locale, three Cubans and one Soviet soldier become embroiled in a love square that unravels slowly over time. Paying equal attention to the complex emotional terrain and the physical landscape, Torres proves why he was one of his country’s finest dramatists.

Esther en alguna parte Dir. Gerardo Chijona (Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

FRI 3/14 / 7:30 / S6 | MON 3/17 / 8:00 / DGC | WED 3/19 / 8:30 / S1 Lino is a widower enjoying his peaceful life. This quiet existence is turned completely upside down when Larry Po, a quirky old man who suffers from multiple personality disorders, informs Lino that his wife led a double life. Cuban master Gerardo Chijona spins this intriguing setup into a fun and often comedic mystery that envelops its lead characters in an elaborate web. Hacerse el sueco Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres

La pelicula de Ana Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres (Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

SUN 3/16 / 12:30 / S2 | THU 3/20 / 8:30 / S1 Daniel Diaz Torres’ last film is a drama about a professional actress who decides to embark on a new career path, after experiencing a prolonged bout of artistic frustration. But will she spiral into a deeper and darker sense of despair? A character study of great depth and veracity, La pelicula de Ana also works beautifully as a satire of a film industry obsessed with the female body and all of its mysteries.

(2001, 105 min., Cuba, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

MON 3/17 / 4:00 / DGC Masquerading as a Swedish literature professor in Cuba, a professional thief plots a spectacular jewel heist. He ends up with more than he bargained for when he falls for the daughter of a retired police officer and is practically adopted by her family. Immersed in the colorful sights and sounds of Havana, the seemingly innocent tourist must "play the Swede.” This great comedy from Daniel Díaz Torres is a classic tale of mistaken identity in the vein of the best films by Alfred Hitchcock.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Comedy Showcase

re you ready for some comedy entertainment? SDLFF 21 offers an array of the latest Latino comedies that are vibrant, lively and fun to watch. These films span a cultural richness and unique diversity, while sharing hilarious misadventures and memorable quirky characters.

Minha Mae e uma peca Dir. André Pellenz (Brazil, 84 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) SUN 3/16 / 9:15 / S7 | WED 3/19 / 7:30 / S6 | SUN 3/23 / 12:00 PM / S6

Comedies don’t come much more wacky than this one, about a disgruntled mother with anxiety issues, from Brazilian filmmaker André Pellenz. Dona Hermínia is fed up with her grown children and decides to take some time off being a mother. She hides out in her aunt’s house to get some peace and quiet, but starts to reminisce about a rosier past when the kids needed her so badly. Blending elements of slapstick and screwball comedy, Minha Mae e uma peca is a singular tribute to every matriarch who has been driven crazy by her offspring. No sé si cortarme las venas o dejármelas largas Dir. Manolo Caro (Mexico, 98 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) MON 3/17 / 7:30 / S6 | FRI 3/21 / 7:00 / S7 | SUN 3/23 / 2:00 / S7

Bolaetrapo Dir. Guillermo Iván (Colombia, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) SAT 3/15 / 5:00 / DGC | MON 3/17 / 4:30 / S7 | SUN 3/23 / 7:30 / S6

The finals of the international tournament of “Bolaetrapo” (Rag Ball), a popular street football game, provide the initial setting for this Colombian comedy. During the final match, the captain of the Mexican team brutally strikes Nutria, a figure of the Colombian team, leaving him unconscious. This sends Nutria into a surreal flashback sequence that will change his impression of the sport forever. Vibrant, lively, and funny, Guillermo Iván’s sports film is the perfect appetizer for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. La espera desespera Dir. Coraly Santaliz (Puerto Rico, 98 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) SUN 3/16 / 6:00 / S1 | WED 3/19 / 10:30 / S1 | SUN 3/23 / 10:15 / S1

Jorge is a regular guy with a boring job. He enjoys his banal life. But after finding out that his wife will need expensive, life-saving heart surgery, Jorge decides to do the unthinkable: rob a bank for the cash. Coraly Santaliz infuses this edgy premise with a slapstick sensibility, sending Jorge down a clumsy and potentially dangerous path towards economic rejuvenation. This Puerto Rican film is rich with quirky characters, inventive plot twists, and hilarious misadventures.

How well do we really know our neighbors? Two very different couples living in the same apartment building find out just how little, when a handsome and athletic new renter moves onto their floor and two gunshots ring out. With a great cast that includes Cecilia Suárez, José María Yazpik, Marimar Vega, and Zuria Vega, this crazy dramedy plays with our expectations, while maneuvering the treacherous territory of an urban living space overrun with manic characters. El paseo 2 Dir. Harold Trompetero (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) FRI 3/14 / 8:00 / S2 | THU 3/20 / 5:30 / S2 | SAT 3/22 / 9:15 / S7

The massive Calvo family, led by patriarch Lucho (John Leguizamo) decides to take a road trip to Cartagena for a much needed break from the daily grind. But when his wife Gloria’s ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, the entire experience turns into a zany and entertaining series of misadventures, punctuated by Lucho’s frustration. Bringing the physical comedy he made famous in Hollywood films, Leguizamo returns to Colombia for this comedic romp that redefines family vacation.

Meu passado me condena: O Filme Dir. Julia Rezende (Brazil, 102 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) SAT 3/15 / 2:00 / S7 | THU 3/20 / 8:00 / S2 | SAT 3/22 / 11:30 AM / S7

When Fabio and Mia meet, they experience a rush of emotions that leads to marriage almost immediately. Happy that they have found true love, the couple embarks on their honeymoon in Europe. As if fate was slapping them in the face, the two newlyweds encounter their respective ex’s, who are now dating and on the same cruise! A box office hit in its native Brazil, Meu passado me condena: O Filme is a rousing comedy of happenstance that is as charming as it is sweet.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Un Mundo ExtraÑo

Horror, fantasy, and science fiction are labels placed upon films

attempting to show something outside the realm of everyday experience. They take the strangeness found in nature and human experience, and enhance that strangeness in order to make an audience understand something about human nature. They make political statements about a variety of topics, or perhaps they merely attempt to evoke different emotions and experiences in a safe and artistic way. Films in these genres are generally stigmatized for trying something different or uncomfortable, but it is those very differences and challenges that draw people to them. Un Mundo Extraño is an examination of genre films from Latino countries that have a unique way of telling dark, fantastic, or bizarre tales that are worthy of note. This year, we will show very different films that make clear just how diverse genre films can be. –Miguel Rodriguez

Co-Presented by

At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul Dir. José Mojica Marins (Brazil, 84 min., 1964, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) FRI 3/21 / 10:30 / S1

In 1964, a young Brazilian filmmaker by the name of José Mojica Marins, dared to bring his feverish dream to the big screen at a time when independent cinema was hardly even a word. Armed with pure determination, boundless creativity, and sincere love for his story, he was able to write, direct, and star in a film that would gain international renown for both Marins and for his home country of Brazil. This film kicked off the “Coffin Joe” series of morbid oddities that continues to this day!

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Dame tus ojos Dir. Jose Luis Gutierrez (Mexico, 87 min., 2014 Spanish w/ English subtitles) SUN 3/16 / 8:00 / S2 | SUN 3/23 / 9:45 / S6

Two young women ignite their passions and their rages by embarking on a road trip that leaves a trail of corpses for law enforcement and news outlets to follow. This Mexican thriller is part melodrama, part horror, and part violent love story in the vein of True Romance. The lead girls make you forget what they are capable of—until their next crime. Las mariposas de Sadourní Dir. Darío Nardi (Argentina, 87 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) SAT 3/15 / 10:00 / S2 | WED 3/19 / 9:45 / S6

Recalling the work of visionaries like Alejandro Jodorowsky, Darío Nardi’s gorgeous film combines theatrically bizarre and grotesque images with luscious arthouse cinematography, music, and an unforgettable cast of eccentric characters. Circus dwarf Sadourní, after serving a prison sentence for a crime of passion, searches for new life and love in a variety of bizarre settings. This film is a rare gem that takes full advantage of the possibilities of a wholly visual medium. Prepare to be transported to somewhere completely different! Viral Dir. Lucas Figueroa (Spain, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) SUN 3/16 / 9:45 / S6 | SAT 3/22 / 10:15 / S2

Part comedy, part ghost story, this film tells the story of Raul, a young Spaniard participating in a competition to gain 100,000 social media fans in one week. The hook is that he must spend the whole time locked up in a technology store and broadcast his experiences to the public. When haunted spirits begin to appear at night, Raul uncovers a mystery that goes far deeper than he suspects. Blending elements of satire and horror, Lucas Figueroa’s film is a surprisingly resonant genre film.

Stella Artois salutes the spirit of independent film.

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Closing Date: 2/15/13 QC: CS

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parties

After Parties, Receptions & more fun! Mingle w/ filmmakers, live music, appetizers, and drinks all supporting Media Arts Center San Diego’s education / community outreach programs. Opening Night Party Thursday, March 13, 2014 | 9pm - 1am Cafe Sevilla, 353 5th Ave. San Diego 921001 / (619) 233-5979 After watching 1 of 4 great San Diego premieres, please join us for a fabulous opening celebration at the always popular Cafe Sevilla! Help us kick-off our 21st Anniversary with a bang. Live music by AFRO JAZZIACS, one hosted drink, appetizers, and lots of fun. Celebrities and filmmakers from opening night films will also be in attendance for meet and greet. FREE transportation from movie theater to Cafe Sevilla provided by FIVE STAR TOURS all night. Park your car at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas Hazard Center, watch a movie, then let FIVE STAR TOURS take you to the party. Ticket Prices: $20 - Party Only / $25 - Party + 1 Film Ticket Choose one: Espacio Interior (7:00pm) | ¿Que le dijiste a Dios?(7:30pm) | Violet (8pm) | Roa (8:30pm) Entrance includes appetizers, one hour hosted SANGRIA (10:0011:00pm), live music, DJ, change to mingle with special guests, y mas! Fashion & Film Party Saturday, March 15, 2014, 8:00pm-11:00pm This year the SDLFF is partnering with Ella PR & Creative Flow Media to bring you a fabulous Charity Fashion Show! Join us for an evening of drinks, gourmet appetizers, dessert bar, live music by emerging new band Luneaux, tequila tasting bar, DJ and VIP red carpet limo arrivals ALL included with your $30.00 contribution. Fashion Show featuring some of Fashion Week acclaimed designers, NOIA, Dos Caras Swimwear & Isabel Vianey. At Media Arts Center San Diego’s DIGITAL GYM in North Park (2921 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, Ca 92104). Sponsors: Lisse Xpress, Brilliant Treats, Achiote, Sapporo, Tequila tres Toños, Mezcal Mala noche, EC econtact, OOH Fashionista, NOIA, Isabel Vianey, Dos Caras. Tickets: $30 Party Only / $35 Party + Film Films to choose from prior to film include: Bolaetrapo (5pm) or Ghetto Klown (7pm)

Venue: Bassmnt - 919 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 General Admission $15

HBO’s U.S. Latino Filmmakers Showcase Reception Saturday, March 22, 2014 4:00-6:00pm Mingle with filmmakers and industry executives while we celebrate new and exciting voices in U.S. Latino Cinema. Appetizers and free drink by Stella. Venue: Bassmnt - 919 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101 General Admission $15 Awards Ceremony Sunday March 23, 4:00-6:00pm Be the first to find out the winners of our competitive film awards in categories like Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, and Best Short Film. Celebrate with the winning filmmakers! Appetizers and free drink by Stella. Venue: TBD General Admission: $15 Closing Night Party Saturday, MARCH 22, 2014 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM Location: Broadway Pier 1000 N. Harbor Drive The 21st Annual San Diego San Diego Latino Film Festival will roll out the red carpet at the Broadway Pier Event Center. This one-of-akind experience includes a VIP Lounge area w/ tequila stations, silent auction, 1 complimentary drink provided by Stella Artois, three bars and a dance space that still leaves you with plenty of room to mix and mingle. Hosted by Ricardo Berron (Univision Despierta San Diego). Proceeds from this year’s Closing Night Celebration benefit MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego’s year-round education programs/services for all ages. Arrive early and enjoy Mariachi and the retro Latin sounds of South Bay’s Colour. Fine Tequilas to be served. Or take in a closing night film and arrive later to enjoy the innovative musical stylings of Cumbia Machine.

Celebrities in attendance include: Martha Higareda, Edith Gonzalez, Richard Montoya, Claudia Lizaldi, Pedro Damian & Paulina Gaitan. Ticket Prices: $40 – Party + 1 Film Ticket / $80 – VIP Lounge/ Party + Film Prior to the party choose one of the following films to see: CASASE QUIEN PUEDA (7:00pm) | CESAR’S LAST FAST (7:30pm) | 200 CARTAS (8pm) | ME LATE CHOCOLATE (8:30pm) For more information and tickets, please contact 619-230-1938 or visit www.sdlatinofilm.com

Presented by San Diego Latino Film Festival

documania! Chateles del Campo SAT 3/15 / 3:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 1:00 / DGC Dir. Jason Outenreath (Nicaragua, 70 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) This engaging and knowing documentary takes the viewer deep into the rural countryside of Nicaragua to explore the work of local teachers with children from impoverished backgrounds. We see the passion and dedication of these professionals, but also the conflicts in bureaucracy and lesson plans that threaten to stall the overall educational system. Director Jason Outenreath’s camera lingers like a fly on the wall, always respectful of the subjects and the poetry of their daily routines. Cidade Cinza (Grey City) SUN 3/16 / 2:30 / S6 Dirs. Marcelo Mesquita, Guilherme Vallengo (Brazil, 85 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) In the opening moments of this powerful documentary about underground graffiti, the camera hovers over São Paulo, Brazil, viewing the expansiveness with a feeling of calm solemnity. Scale and scope are key elements to both the landscape’s imposing frame and the intricate murals that have popped up on concrete walls all around the city. Alternating between interviews with artists responsible for the upswing in tagging and the politicians trying to stave off their chosen medium, Cidade Cinza is both a gorgeously rendered vision of the creative process and the political implications that inevitably follow.

Documania!

Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This engaging selection of documentary films represent the genre at it’s most socially relevant and dynamic. From the rural landscapes of Nicaragua to the concrete walls of Rio de Janeiro, the factories of Colombia to the symphony halls of Brazil, this diverse showcase explores stories both big and small, politically charged and emotionally poignant.

El Caso CocaCola FRI 3/14 / 4:30 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 3:15 / DGC Dirs. Germán Gutiérrez, Carmen Garcia (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Colombia is the trade union murder capital of the world. Since 2002, more than 470 workers’ leaders have been brutally killed, usually by paramilitaries hired by private companies intent on crushing the unions. Among these unscrupulous corporate brands is the poster boy for American business: Coca-Cola. These unpunished crimes spur U.S. activists David Kovalik, Terry Collingsworth and Ray Rogers into an ambitious crusade against the soft drink giant. A searing indictment of a major corporate brand, El caso Cocacola takes us on a riveting legal game of cat and mouse via the U.S. federal court and the Stop Killer Coke! campaign.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Don Ca SAT 3/15 / 3:15 / DGC SUN 3/23 / 3:00 / S2 Dir. Patricia Ayala Ruiz (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Hypnotic and wise, Patricia Ayala Ruiz’s documentary portrait of Camilo Arboleda Arroyo explores how one man’s presence empowered an entire community ravaged by Civil War. A descendant of slave owners and belonging to a wealthy family, Arroyo fled his life of luxury for the town of Guapi Camilo, a forgotten Afro-Colombian coastal town. Here, he began working as a teacher with misbegotten youths, transforming the education system in the process. El Huaso SAT 3/15 / 12:00 PM / S6 WED 3/19 / 4:00 / DGC Dir. Carlo Guillermo Proto (Chile, 80 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Gustavo Proto is a Chilean who moved his family to Toronto hoping to secure them a better life. Now 58, he struggles with bouts of depression and flirts with the idea of suicide. Hoping to fend off these morbid and potentially devastating feelings, Gustavo returns to Chile to fulfil his childhood dream of become a huaso, a Chilean cowboy. Directed by Gustavo’s son, Carlo, El Huaso is a sobering and emotionally resonant documentary about the pressures of parenting and the power of family support systems.

documania! Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America THU 3/13 / 4:00 / DGC TUE 3/18 / 6:00 / S1 SUN 3/23 / 7:00 / DGC Dir. Rodrigo H. Vila (Argentina, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) This haunting music documentary is a deeply intimate journey into the life and music of Mercedes Sosa, one of the most influential singers and personalities of the 20th century. Told through her own voice, the film acts as an autobiographical guide through her life, her successes and failures, her love stories and all her suffering. Features multiple interviews and testimonies from some of Latin America’s most influential musicians and luminaries, all speaking candidly about Sosa's importance as an artist who went beyond the borders of music and became an icon for her generation. Palabras mágicas SAT 3/22 / 12:00 PM / S6 Dir. Mercedes Moncada Rodríguez (Nicaragua/Mexico, 82 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) A highly surreal documentary that examines the history and terrain of Lake Managua, which has become Nicaragua’s key sewer and waste dumping site. Director Mercedes Moncada Rodríguez sees the tainted but majestic body of water as an allegory for her country’s revolution. The vibrant cinematography depicts a landscape that seems picturesque on the surface but hides an underbelly of trauma and rot. Prova de Artista MON 3/17 / 5:00 / S6 Dir. José Joffily (Brazil, 84 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) Centered around the intense professional landscape of Brazil’s orchestra scene, this music documentary envelops the viewer in a world where art, sacrifice, and dedication clash on a daily basis. Director José Joffily is equally concerned with his subjects, as he is with their musical accomplishments and failures; burrowing into their daily routines and experiences in order to paint an overall picture of their lifestyle.

DOCU-SHORTS

WED 3/19 / 95 MIN / 5:30 PM / S2 An assemblage of captivating, bold, and gorgeously rendered short documentaries from Latino filmmakers worldwide. ¡Adiós Padresitos! Dir. Javier Macipe (Ecuador/ Spain, 29 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Aún Nos Queda El Recuerdo Dir. Mariano Rentería Garnica (Mexico, 18 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Hombres de Barro Dir. Luis Abraham González Roch (Mexico, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) The Mayor Dir. Theo Rigby (USA, 11 min., 2013, English) Minerita Dir. Raúl De La Fuente (Bolivia/ Spain, 27 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

San Diego Latino Film Festival

para la famila En Familia Shorts Showcase SUN 3/16 / 88 MIN./ 1:00 / S1 An array of captivating and imaginative short films that will thrill the entire family. These thoughtful films will transport you and your loved ones to diverse and fully realized animated and live-action worlds full of unforgettable adventures.

Bitseller Dir. Juanma Sánchez Cervantes (Spain, 10 min., 2013, No Dialogue) The Catch Dir. Alonso Alvarez Barreda (USA, 11 min., 2013, English)

Bring the entire family to enjoy these great SDLFF 2014 - PARA LA FAMILIA films; perfect for all ages, and expressing a diverse curiosity that we may grow from childhood and throughout our lives. Whether tender portrayals of youth’s exuberance, or stories about facing life’s challenges, these films reinforce the power of love, friendship and the use of our creative imaginations to help overcome obstacles and set us on hopeful journeys of discovery.

Presented by Anina SAT 3/15 / 11:30 AM / S7 SUN 3/23 / 11:30 AM/ S7 Dir. Alfredo Soderguit (Uruguay/Colombia, 80 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) In this simple and stunning animated film, young Anina gets into a playground skirmish, and she is faced with an unfair and completely strange punishment that sends her on a fantastical journey. Perfect for the whole family, Anina is the rare children’s film that respects both the profound intensity of a child’s mind and the adult world that surrounds it. Not only a marvel of filmmaking at its purest form, Anina is also tender testament to the ingenuity of a young girl bursting with creativity. Mi mejor regalo SAT 3/15 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 11:30 AM / S7 SAT 3/22 / 5:00 / S6 Dir. José Gerardo (Mexico, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Newly heartbroken and alone, Daniel (Plutarco Haza) also struggles to make a living as an actor. In short, his life is looking like a complete failure. Then his ex-girlfriend's father, Don Gustavo, unexpectedly knocks on his door and informs him that he has an 8-year-old daughter named Samantha. Suddenly, Daniel is faced with a whole new set of problems that make his previous complaints seem trivial. In the similar vein of the smash hit Instructions Not Included, Mi Mejor Regalo is a story about unexpected love and finding the strength to persevere despite life’s many obstacles. Co-starring Claudia Lizaldi.

Eideann Dir. Alvaro Granados (Spain, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Flamingo Dir. Carl Zitelmann (Venezuela, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Galus Galus Dir. Clarissa Duque (Venezuela, 11 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Lluvia en los Ojos Dir. Rita Basulto (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Pedro Pan Dir. Andrea Puente (USA, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Project K-9 Dir. Francisco J. Cabrera, Alicia Esteban, Elsa Esteban, Juan A. Forero, Victoria González, Adrián Parra (Spain, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) El Regreso del Vampiro Dir. Cristian Alain Vázquez Carrasco (Mexico, 6 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Sr. Barrientos - Fuera de Juego Dir. Kike Florido (Spain, 5 min., 2013, No Dialogue) Un Día en Familia Dir. Pedro “Zulu” González (Mexico, 7 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

San Diego Latino Film Festival

cine gay showcase

ince the 9th annual Cine Gay Showcase, San Diego Latino Film Festival has been furthering its mission to correct the often distorted and cliched images seen on television and movies, by revealing LGBT lives and experiences through dynamic films and documentaries. Each film explores identity and sexuality in complex ways, challenging the historical exclusion of underrepresented communities in the media. As always, this is an ongoing pursuit that will highlight perspectives of gay life in different corners of the world; underlining the universal experience as well as the unique expressions of the Latino LGBT community.rlining the universal experience as well as the unique expressions of the Latino LGBT community.

Co-Presented by

El Cañaveral SUN 3/23 / 12:30 / S2 Dir. Samuel Lopez (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Fearing for his life, Joaquín, an HIV+ gay Salvadoran political activist, seeks asylum in Canada but the outcome of his refugee claim looks bleak. He is summoned to the Border Agency where he will receive the response to his refugee claim. Brutally frank and perceptive, Samuel Lopez’s documentary looks closely at how identity and ideology converge in one man’s pursuit of sanctuary. Margarita SAT 3/15 / 12:30 / S2 SUN 3/16 / 5:30 / S2 TUE 3/18 / 6:15 / DGC Dirs. Dominique Cardona, Laurie Colbert (Canada, 90 min., 2012, English) Margarita works as a live-in maid for power couple Ben and Gail and their teenage daughter Mali. She’s dating a beautiful female medical student and is happy taking the lead of the family’s domestic routine. This all changes when a series of bad investments threaten to bankrupt the family permanently. To cut costs, Ben and Gail fire Margarita, an action that completely upsets all sense of cohesion in the household. Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert’s tender drama gets at the heart of unlikely friendships and the rash actions that can potentially taint them forever.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

La Partida SAT 3/15 / 8:00 / S2 TUE 3/18 / 5:30 / S2 Dir. Antonio Hens (Cuba, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Stacked up against seemingly unsurmountable circumstances, two young men living in Havana turn to male prostitution to make ends meet. Their unquenchable thirst for easy money begins to spiral out of control, pushing their already unstable personal lives to the point of no return. More importantly, their newfound profession threatens to ruin the one relationship they care about the most: the one they share with each other. Quebranto SUN 3/16 / 7:30 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 3:15 / DGC Dir. Roberto Fiesco (Mexico, 92 min., 2013, Spanish with English subtitles) An unforgettable portrait of a mother and son. Doña Lilia Ortega is an actress who lives with her son, Fernando, once a famous child actor who came out as a transvestite and now calls herself, Coral Bonelli. Living together under one roof, the two reminisce about the past and discuss topics ranging from gender, desire, and performance. This marvelous documentary is a profoundly moving statement about the challenges of identity.

cine gay showcase YO, INDOCUMENTADA SUN 3/16 / 1:00 / DGC Dir. Andrea Raraneko (Venezuela, 61 min., 2012, Spanish with English subtitles) Tamara, Desiree, and Victoria are all Venezuelan women from different walks of life. On first glance, this lawyer, stylist, and art student have very little in common. However, each carries an identification card that bears a different name. Each is a transsexual woman who has changed her gender. However, the Venezuelan government does not recognize their transition. In fact, the country still suffers from rampant homophobia and prejudice. Andrea Raranenko’s stunning documentary is protest art at its finest, giving these subjects a voice in order to make a change, both personally and nationally.

CINE GAY SHORTS

FRI 3/21 / 113 MIN./ 6:00 PM / S1 A collection of short films detailing the LGBTQ related experiences of Latinos from around the world. Alex y Fabio Ya No Están Dir. Alejandro D. Orengo Colon(Puerto Rico, 18 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Antes de Palavras Dir. Diego Carvalho Sá (Brazil, 13 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) Bajo El Último Techo Dir. Edgar A. Romero (Mexico, 12 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Carreteras Dir. Denisse Quintero (Mexico, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) O Pacote Dir. Rafael Aidar (Brazil, 19 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) O Ser Un Elefante Dir. Ulises Pérez Mancilla (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Solsticio Dir. Juan Francisco Viruega (Spain, 20 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) You’re Dead To Me Dir. Wu Tsang (USA, 13 min., 2013, English)

San Diego Latino Film Festival

arte latino Featured Artists: Silfredo La O: Cuban Cinema, Silfredo is a Professional dancer in the Afro Cuban and Haitian tradition - Popular Latin dances and Modern dance. He graduated from the National School of the Arts in Havana, Cuba in 1994 where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree as a certified Dance Professor and Professional dancer. As an artist, his “work is a reflection of the contrasts in my life, divided and integrated for the last years of my life in the United States, but with its origins in Cuba, where I was born and raised. In my painting, I merge my history as an Afro-Cuban and Modern dance performer, with my present as a visual artist. From Cuba, I incorporate Afro-Cuban spirituality, the rural landscapes of eastern Cuba, my childhood, and my memories of growing up in a Communist island.” Silfredo is now a dance instructor at local colleges.

Winning Poster Artist spotlight

jimmy carbo Jimmy Carbo, this years winner of the Film Festival Poster contest, is a plastic/visual artist who has been working since youth in the Arts mainly in painting and sculpting, but also in other art forms such as digital media and music. He has studied courses in Mexico City in schools such as the National Plastic Arts Academy and Real Academia de San Carlos. He has had several exhibitions collective and individual, and has been working in painting and sculpting for films in the Baja Studios in past years as a scenic artist.

The 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival presents: Arte Latino 2014

MARCH 13-23

Once again, our annual film festival is honored to have great artists, live music, local vendors y más in the lobby of UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas (7510 Hazard Center Dr. Suite #100). Please support these wonderful artists and vendors during the 11-day film festival. All purchases of art benefit the San Diego Latino Film Festival as well!

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Debi Winger: Animation, Debi is an artist, face and body painter and illustrator who is available for commission work. “Drawing is my passion and obsession. It all started at a very young age, sitting in front of the tv with my sketch pad and watching Saturday morning cartoons. Soon I developed my own characters and much later on I started painting.”

Fabi Munguia: Horror SiFi - Born in Mexico now living in Los Angeles, Fabi is an accomplished artist showing in galleries on both sides of the border, as well as an accomplished chalk art artist

Curator: Andy Gonzalez has been curating with the San Diego Latino Film Festival for many years, as well as galleries in San Diego and L.A. and the San Diego Repertory Theater (Lyceum Gallery). He now owns and operates the “La Onda Arte Latino” art gallery at NTC/ Liberty Station. Wednesday, March 19, 5-9PM - Meet the Artists at the theater with special guest performances. Saturday, March 29, 5-8PM - Meet the Artists/Closing reception at “La Onda Arte Latino” Art Gallery, 2690 Historic Decatur Rd. Barracks 19, San Diego 92106 Arte Latino 2014: For Questions about or to purchase art please contact Andy Gonzalez at Laondaart@att.net or call 858-405-8888

San Diego Latino Film Festival

latino public broadcasting showcase

A leader in providing Latino stories to Public television. Saturday, March 22, 10am GETTING YOUR PROJECT ON PBS - Pitch Session Thinking about submitting your proposal to LPB’s Public Media Content Fund, partner with local PBS station KPBS, or want feedback from funders, filmmakers, and local PBS executives? Come and pitch your idea to us! Screen a trailer and get feedback. If you have a project that you feel is suitable for PBS, you should not miss the opportunity to have a personal 10-minute pitch session with Luis Ortiz, KBPS producer John Decker, and filmmaker Cristina Ibarra (Las Marthas). To take advantage of this opportunity, contact Leticia Ridley at 619-230-1938

Presented by

Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle Dir. Phillip Rodriguez (U.S., 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU / 3/20 / 7:30 / S6 | SAT / 3/22 / 5:00 / DGC Ruben Salazar, one of the most important journalists covering the Chicano movement of the late 1960s, was killed under mysterious circumstances by a law enforcement officer in 1970. This documentary seeks to investigate Salazar’s death and more importantly, contextualize his work as a reporter during a period of great unrest. Includes interviews with Salazar’s friends, family, and colleagues.

Las Marthas Dir. Cristina Ibarra

The State of Arizona Dirs. Carlos Sandoval, Catherine Tambini

(U.S., 90 min., 2014, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(U.S., 90 min., 2014, English)

SAT / 3/22 / 3:00 / S2 | SUN / 3/23 / 3:15 / DGC The border town of Laredo hosts one of the largest celebrations of George Washington's birthday with it's Mexican sister-city, Nuevo Laredo. This 116-year-old tradition has become a month-long jubilee epitomized by the renowned Colonial Ball. Young society girls spend a year preparing for this event, in which they will wear $30,000 gowns - the median family income of Laredo. Awardwinning filmmaker Cristina Ibarra takes us on a year-long journey following two of these Mexican-American debutants, celebrating their unique personalities, but also looking at the social and economic implications of the celebration they love so dearly.

SUN / 3/16 / 2:00 / S7 | FRI / 3/21 / 4:00 / DGC In 2010, the Arizona Senate passed controversial immigration law SB1070, also known as the “papers please” law, igniting a national maelstrom. Mixing in interviews with footage of heated protest rallies and television coverage, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue — activists, politicians, Latino immigrants, ranchers, controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the newly empowered Tea Party movement, for whom illegal immigration is a flashpoint subject — depicting a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values. Latino Public Broadcasting Showcase. San Diego Latino Film Festival

schedule

San Diego Latino Film Festival

schedule

San Diego Latino Film Festival

youth visions

march 15, sat. 3:30pm T

he Media Arts Center San Diego presents a collection of youth produced films from young filmmakers. The filmmakers represent a growing population of young people who have found their medium of expression lies in telling stories through film. This handpicked selection of short films feature both fictional and non-fiction pieces; produced by filmmakers of varying experience levels, and addressing topics that range from gun violence, water conservation, and social justice. Presented by

Hogar Infantil La Gloria: A Home for Children Truth Alexandria 'Magik' Rice, 15 min.

Chris Callipari - St. Augustine High School, 12 min.

Hogar Infantil La Gloria: A Home for Children is a documentary short film that explains a “day in the life” of the children at Hogar Infantil La Gloria.

How does society define the sexual exploitation of children? In this documentary, eighteenyear-old youth advocate, Magik explores the complexities between sex work, trafficking, sexual exploitation, victimization and survivalism.

Teen Producers Project, 30 sec.

Behind the Wall - Before I Die in Hillcrest

Produced for the San Diego Water Authority's water conservation PSA contest, this 30 second piece asks San Diegans to think about the impact their plants have on the water supply.

Marea Shanks - High Tech High International, 6 min.

Waste No Water

When a local artist installed the local edition of a global art project, he wasn't expecting the profound impact it would have on both himself and the community of Hillcrest.

Hugs and Bags

Changing Face of El Cajon Blvd.

Hugs and Bags is a "love movement" that supplies sweaters, blankets, socks, mittens, etc. to woman in need.

Teen Producers Project, 3 min.

Teen Producers Project, 2 min.

El Cajon Boulevard has long been an iconic location. Changing Face of El Cajon Blvd. focuses on the transformation and revival of a small strip of El Cajon Blvd.

I Am Not a Dummy

Before I Die

With aspirations of becoming a doctor and saving his sick mother, a young scholar struggles to find a balance between his academic commitments and his turbulent home life.

Teen Producers Project Advanced, 7 min

Teen tennis player Taylor Rhodes was at the top of his game. Until one day an almost fatal car accident costs him his legs. Paralyzed, Taylor realizes he will not be able to play tennis again. About to give up all hope on ever playing tennis again, Taylor runs into a woman named Laura. Although she can't bring Taylor's legs back, she just might be able to boost his self esteem enough for him to keep going. Food Justice Teen Producers Project, 3 min.

The Teen Producers document the Mid-City Can Food Justice event to examine healthy food alternatives in City Heights, and to reveal an unmet need among Muslim high school students in the area. Beyond the Crossfire High Tech High Chula Vista, 3 min

Investigate what young people can do to reduce the amount of gun violence in our country. High School Students Honor Victims of Arapahoe Shooting High Tech High Chula Vista, 57 sec.

After hearing about the shooting at Arapahoe High School today, High Tech High Chula Vista students broke into an impromptu march and rally to honor all the victims and families affected by this latest tragedy. Get Help Not Guns Teen Producers Project, 30 sec.

Get Help Not Guns tells the story of how violence does not have to be the answer to any differences you might be having; and how it is okay to seek help.

Teen Producers Project Advanced, 8 min

Life After DACA: One Policy, Different Outcomes Michael Lozano, Voicewaves - Long Beach, 4 min.

VoiceWaves interviewed four “DACAmented” youth to explore the many different ways DACA has changed the way they live their lives, and the hopes they have for a better future. "Ni De Aqui, Ni De Alla" (Neither from here or from there) Teen Producers Project, 7 min.

Alejandra, a young student who was brought illegally to the US by her parents at a young age, recounts her memories of coming here; the challenges she faces because she is undocumented; and how she turned to activism to help express herself. Photo City: The Art of Change in City Heights Crawford High School Teen Producers, 3 min.

What does photography tell us about our surroundings, and what role does it play in shaping society? Students from Crawford High School in City Heights explore how a group of middle school students use photography as a tool for transformation. "This Is Their Home"- an interview with Christian Ramirez, AFSC Teen Producers Project, 6 min.

Christian Ramirez explains the history of the Dream Act, controversial legislation that would give some undocumented students access to higher education and a path to citizenship. Today’s Border: A Student Perspective Crawford High School TPP, 3 min.

In a Chicano Literature class at Crawford High School in City Heights, young students explore their relationship with today’s U.S./Mexico border. San Diego Latino Film Festival

¡tu cine!

inema meets education! Middle School and High School students are invited to experience our variety of educational and entertaining films, during specifically curated morning screenings in celebration of the 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival. This is a fabulous opportunity for students and educators to experience the virtues of international cinema, and to engage in discussion about key themes and social concerns. The goal is to encourage student dialogue about films that are both entertaining and educational; while also inspiring them to consider careers in filmmaking and digital media.

Presented by

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm CHATELES DEL CAMPO (Middle School Screening) Dir. Jason Outenreath (Nicaragua, 70 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) This engaging and knowing documentary takes the viewer deep into the rural countryside of Nicaragua to explore the work of local teachers with children from impoverished backgrounds. We see the passion and dedication of these professionals, and also the conflicts in bureaucracy and lesson plans that threaten to stall the overall educational system. Director Jason Outenreath’s camera lingers like a fly on the wall, always respectful of the subjects and the poetry of their daily routines. TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 10:00am - 12:00pm ANINA (Middle School Screening) Dir. Alfredo Soderguit (Uruguay/Colombia, 80 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) In this simple and stunning animated film, young Anina gets into a playground skirmish. She is faced with an unfair and completely strange punishment that sends her on a fantastical journey. Perfect for the whole family, Anina is the rare children’s film that respects both the profound intensity of a child’s mind and the adult world that surrounds it. Not only a marvel of filmmaking at its purest form, Anina is also tender testament to the ingenuity of a young girl bursting with creativity. CESAR’S LAST FAST (High School Screening) Dirs. Lorena Parlee, Richard Ray Perez (U.S., 100 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English) Using remarkable unseen footage and candid interviews, directors Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee examine the last act of protest in the amazing life of Cesar Chavez. The year was 1988, and for 36 days Chavez participated in a water-only hunger strike to draw attention to the disturbing and horrific effects of unfettered pesticide use on farm workers, their families, and their communities. The result is a powerful documentary that does justice to a powerful activist who spent his life fighting for the rights of others. Premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

LAS MARTHAS (High School Screening) Dir. Cristina Ibarra (U.S., 90 min., 2014, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles) The border town of Laredo hosts one of the largest celebrations of George Washington's birthday with it's Mexican sister-city, Nuevo Laredo. This 116-year-old tradition has become a month-long jubilee epitomized by the renowned Colonial Ball. Young society girls spend a year preparing for this event, in which they will wear $30,000 gowns - the median family income of Laredo. Awardwinning filmmaker Cristina Ibarra takes us on a year-long journey following two of these Mexican-American debutants, celebrating their unique personalities, but also looking at the social and economic implications of the celebration they love so dearly. THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 10:00am - 12:00pm YOUTH VISIONS SHORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 21 MI MEJOR REGALO (Middle School Screening) Dir. José Gerardo (Mexico, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles) Newly heartbroken and alone, Daniel (Plutarco Haza) also struggles to make a living as an actor. In short, his life is looking like a complete failure. Then his ex-girlfriend's father, Don

¡tu cine! Gustavo, unexpectedly knocks on his door and informs him that he has an 8-year-old daughter named Samantha. Suddenly, Daniel is faced with a whole new set of problems that make his previous complaints seem trivial. In the similar vein of the smash hit Instructions Not Included, Mi Mejor Regalo is a story about unexpected love and finding the strength to persevere despite life’s many obstacles. CIDADE CINZA (High School Screening) Dirs. Marcelo Mesquita, Guilherme Vallengo (Brazil, 85 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles) In the opening moments of this powerful documentary about underground graffiti, the camera hovers over São Paulo, Brazil, viewing the expansiveness with a feeling of calm solemnity. Scale and scope are key elements to both the landscape’s imposing frame and the intricate murals that have popped up on concrete walls all around the city. Jumping back and forth between interviews with artists responsible for the upswing in tagging and the politicians trying to stave off their chosen medium, Cidade Cinza is both a gorgeously rendered vision of the creative process and the political implications that inevitably follow.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Filmmaker Workshops & Career Expo SHORT FILM WEEKEND BOOTCAMPS (Producing A Short Film)

March 15, 16, 22, & 23, 10:00am - 2:00pm Co-presented by Film Consortium San Diego

Prepping you for weekend film competitions such as 48-Hr & more! Instructed by Jodi Cilley (Film Consortium San Diego, UCSD Extension Digital Arts Center). 4 hands-on intensive workshops over four days cover all you need to know to produce your own short film! Classes include: Screenwriting (Saturday, March 15, 10am-2pm) / Pre Production (Sunday, March 16, 10am-2pm) / Film Production (Saturday, March 22, 10am-2pm) / Post Production/Distribution (Sunday, March 23, 10am-2pm). Fee: $150 – 4 workshops, 4hrs each or $50 per class. Location: Digital Gym (2921 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104). Register at: http://digitalgym.org/filmmakerbootcamp/ MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego’s 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival presents..

FILMMAKER WORKSHOPS & CAREER EXPO Continuing MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego’s long tradition of nurturing emerging filmmakers through our year-long digital media programming and services, this year’s 21st Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival includes a first-ever CAREER EXPO featuring Funding Opportunities, Networking Mixers, Hands-On Workshops, Local Filmmaker Spotlight Screenings & Panel Discussions. Sponsored by HBO, LPB & National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC). Events/Activities to Include:

GET YOUR PROJECT ON PBS - PITCH SESSIONS Saturday, March 22, 10AM-12:30PM

Have a project you feel is suitable to submit to PBS; a proposal to LPB's Public Content Media Fund; want to partner with a local PBS station; or need feedback from funders and filmmakers? Come and pitch your idea to us! Screen a trailer and get feedback before submitting it anywhere. Join us for: GET YOUR PROJECT ON PBS PITCH SESSION. Don’t miss this excellent chance to have a personal 10-minute pitching session with PBS. Space is limited; so take advantage of this great opportunity, and sign up via the Google form ASAP at: https://docs.google.com/a/mediaartscenter.org/forms/

San Diego Latino Film Festival

LATINOS IN TV Spotlight & Panel Discussion Saturday, March 15, 10AM at Digital gym CINEMA

Panel discussion with television actors including Frankie J. Alvarez from Looking. Learn the ins and outs of getting into television. Plus, visiting guests will showcase various scenes of their television work on some of today’s hottest television shows. Facilitated by: TBA. Tickets: $11.00 General Admission / $9 Students & Seniors / $8.50 Members. HBO’s U.S. LATINO FILMMAKERS RECEPTION Saturday, March 22, 4-6pm.

This intimate reception is a chance to mingle w/ HBO, LPB and other industry execs; plus, many visiting filmmakers/ actors from across Latin America, Mexico, San Diego Baja California Region, and U.S. Appetizers, drinks, live music, & networking opportunities! Tickets: $15.00 General Admission / $10 Students & Seniors / $8.50 Members. Location: Bassmnt - 919 4th Ave. San Diego, CA 92101 FRONTERA FILMMAKERS Film Showcase Monday, March 17, 6:00 PM

Annual showcase of short films by Baja California and San Diego filmmakers. Talented filmmakers in the San Diego/ Tijuana border region share their vision of the world with awe-inducing short narratives and documentaries. These films open our eyes to new experiences; whether it’s a difficult decision regarding the health of a loved one, or an inside look at New Mexico’s chile industry; all are captured by gifted local film artists. Shorts to be screened include: Adverso (Dir. Rubén García), The Chile Film / La Sangre Rojo Y Verde de Nuevo Mexico (Dir. Kelly Brinn Urig), Crossing South (Dir. Steven Javitz), Debajo del Cuero (Dir. Gabriel Arvizu Rodríguez), El Día de San Juan (Dir. Erika Torres), Skin Destination (Dir. Adriana Trujillo). Tickets: $11.00 General Admission / $9 Students & Seniors / $8.50 Members.

Filmmaker Workshops & Career Expo FILM CONSORTIUM SAN DIEGO Film Showcase Sunday, March 16th, 3:30pm

A collection of short films celebrating local college students & emerging filmmakers. Curated by Film Consortium San Diego. Short Films: TBA. Tickets: $11.00 General Admission / $9 Students & Seniors / $8.50 Members. FISCAL SPONSORED Projects Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30pm.

Each year MEDIA ARTS Center San Diego is the fiscal sponsor for numerous film/video/media projects. At this year’s film festival, we are proud to spotlight two of them: 18 Bakers (Andrew Bracken) & Declare Yourself A Winner: Stories from the Latino Community (Yvette Lopez Cooper). Declare Yourself a Winner will be celebrated during the film festival at a special reception and screening of Josefina Lopez’ Detained in the Desert, on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30pm. 18 Bakers will be interviewing attendees of this year’s film festival at the movie theater, gathering stories and perspectives of living on the Border.

All events and activities to take place at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas Hazard Center (7510 Hazard Center Dr., San Diego, CA 92108), unless otherwise noted. Supported by: HBO, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC), LPB, The Bravo Foundation, and the San Diego Foundation’s Creative Catalyst: Individual Artist Fellowship Program.

Info/Tickets: leticia@mediaartscenter.org, 619-230-1938, www.sdlatinofilm.com For year-round education programs, access to equipment, fiscal sponsorship and filmmaker resources, please visit: http:// mediaartscenter.org/. Receive discounts to all workshops & events, BECOME A MEMBER today at: http://mediaartscenter.org/membership

San Diego Latino Film Festival

films and schedule - tijuana

Ticket Information Header Title Festival Tickets BOX OFFICE:

Starting on March 1st, tickets and passes may be purchase at the UltraStar Mission Valley at the Hazard Center Box Office. 7510 Hazard Center Drive, Off 163 Freeway on Friars Road in Mission Valley. Box Office Hours: 12:30PM-10:00PM Daily. For any movies screening at the Digital Gym CINEMA, tickets can also be bought starting March 1st. The Digital Gym CINEMA in North Park is located at 2921 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104 (off 805 Freeway, between 30th St and Kansas). Box office hours: 12pm-8pm, Monday-Friday. TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: www.sdlatinofilm.com Online sales stop at midnight the day before screening. All online tickets can be picked up at concierge desk at the theatre during the festival. Tickets must be claimed at least 30 minutes BEFORE showtime. TICKET PRICES : General Admission per Screening: $11.00 Students, Seniors, Military: $9.00 Members: $8.50

$ 2 0 0 FESTIVAL PASS Includes OVER 100 programs, no waiting in lines, VIP seating, 4 workshops, 1 year FREE MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO Amigo membership, free festival souvenir poster, and entrance into all Festival Parties. Show your Membership Card for special benefits during the festival! The Festival Pass is NON-TRANSFERRABLE – A $1,400 value $ 1 0 0 FILM PASS Includes entrance to 11 films, no waiting in lines and VIP seating. The Festival Pass is NON-TRANSFERABLE – a $127 value $ 4 5. 0 0 2 0 1 4 5-Mov ie Ticke t Pack See any 5 movies for only $45! Get the Movie Ticket Pack today. A $58 value! To purchase a ticket in advance online or for more information: www.sdlatinofilm.com / 619-230-1938 Note: Group Sales Opportunities Also Available!

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features 12 segundos

200 Cartas FRI 3/14 / 8:30 / S1 SUN 3/16 / 7:00 / DGC SUN 3/23 / 10:00 / S2

THU 3/13 / 6:15 / DGC SAT 3/22 / 8:00 / S2 SUN 3/23 / 4:30 / S7

Dir. Kenneth C. Muller (Mexico/Guatemala, 82 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Bruno Irizarry (U.S./Puerto Rico, 99 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

After her boss goes missing, Selma travels to a mountainous region called “La Frontera” to investigate his disappearance. In this primitive and dangerous locale, she will find a complex web of deception, betrayal, and murder; not to mention one very unfriendly dog. Selma’s safety (and sanity) are always in question, leaving the audience breathless in the process. 12 Segundos is a heart-pounding thriller that creates a high level of tension in every scene, and takes the audience on a wild ride into a rural heart of darkness.

When he meets a mysterious Puerto Rican woman named Maria (Mayra Matos), Raul (Lin-Manuel Miranda) is struck by love at first sight. But fate separates the two before Raul can confess his attraction. With the help of his friend Juan (Mexican star Jaime Camil), the two men arrive in Puerto Rico with the hopes of finding Raul’s beautiful love interest. With an irresistible cast and flirty dialogue. 200 Cartas is a loving ode to the romantic comedy genre. U.S Latino Showcase.

The Amazing Catfish

Amores Peligrosos SUN 3/16 / 8:30 / S1 WED 3/19 / 9:15 / S7 FRI 3/21 / 6:15 / DGC

TUE 3/18 / 10:00 / S2 FRI 3/21 / 4:30 / S7 Dir. José Antonio Dorado (Colombia, 107 min.., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Claudia Sainte-Luce (Mexico, 89 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In this charming debut from director Claudia Sainte-Luce, a lonely woman named Claudia (Ximena Ayala) meets ailing matriarch Martha (Lisa Owen) in a hospital room they are both sharing. This chance encounter changes both of their lives forever; and begins a road trip involving Claudia, Martha, and her four children. Together, this group of Guadalajara residents will form a makeshift family that is uniquely progressive. This wonderful comedy has been a hit at festivals from Toronto to Locarno. Mexico Today Showcase.

Las analfabetas

Anina SAT 3/15 / 4:30 / S7 MON 3/17 / 10:00 / S2 FRI 3/21 / 5:30 / S2 Dir. Moisés Sepúlveda (Chile, 73 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The amazing Paulina Garcia (star of Gloria) stars as Ximena, a lonely woman in her 50s who has kept her illiteracy a secret from the outside world. When she meets a young schoolteacher named Jackeline, Ximena is given the opportunity to learn how to read. But will she be willing and able to accept the challenge? In Moisés Sepúlveda’s lovely drama about friendship and understanding, this simple scenario takes on added weight thanks to the beautiful performances and natural dialogue.

Sofia’s love affair with a foreigner is starting to get hot and heavy. Her relationship gets even more intense after they meet a powerful and mysterious couple who lure them into an underground world of deceit. In the hothouse vein of a classic novela, José Antonio Dorado’s steamy melodrama is both sensual and dangerous, full of plot twists and betrayals that consistently surprise. Will Sofia be able to survive this dangerous love, or will passion get the best of her?

San Diego Latino Film Festival

SAT 3/15 / 11:30 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 11:30 / S7 Dir. Alfredo Soderguit (Uruguay/Colombia, 80 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In this simple and stunning animated film, young Anina gets into a playground skirmish. She is faced with an unfair and completely strange punishment that sends her on a fantastical journey. Perfect for the whole family, Anina is the rare children’s film that respects both the profound intensity of a child’s mind and the adult world that surrounds it. Not only a marvel of filmmaking at its purest form, Anina is also tender testament to the ingenuity of a young girl bursting with creativity. Para la familia Showcase.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul FRI 3/21 / 10:30 / S1

Avenues SAT 3/15 / 10:30 / S1 TUE 3/18 / 10:15 / S1 SAT 3/22 / 5:30 / S2

Dir. José Mojica Marins (Brazil, 84 min., 1964, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Aaref Rodriguez (U.S., 88 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles

Recently released from prison, Saul Sanchez (Hector Atreyu Ruiz in a stunning lead performance) returns home to Highland Park, a gang-infested neighborhood in Los Angeles. Caught between a violent past and an uncertain future, Saul finds himself struggling to start anew. Director Aaref Rodriguez’s film is an honest and moving character study that doesn’t shy away from the challenges facing a young man trying to find peace in a violent world. U.S. Latino Showcase.

Besos de azúcar

Bolaetrapo FRI 3/14 / 9:15 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 7:00 / S7

SAT 3/15 / 5:00 / DGC MON 3/17 / 4:30 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 7:30 / S6

Dir. Carlos Cuarón (Mexico, 87 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Guillermo Iván (Colombia, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Nacho is a sweet boy, but his dysfunctional family and social setting threaten to turn him into a monster. Neglect and abuse run rampant in his household, which is why the smart and entrepreneurial 13-year-old spends much of his time with Cacayo (Héctor Jiménez), a kind but dim-witted man who pirates movies for a living. When Nacho meets Mayra, the daughter of a local drug lord named La Diabla, he falls head over heels in love, despite the obvious danger. Carlos Cuaron’s coming-of-age film explores the innocence of first love and how quickly it can be tainted by the adult world. Spotlight Film.

Cásese quien pueda

El cielo es azul TUE 3/18 / 8:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 7:00 / S7 Dir. Marco Polo Constandse (Mexico, 90 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Martha Higareda stars as Ana, a snobby and glamour hungry socialite who gets lost in the jungle a week before her wedding. Instead of enjoying the lead up to the greatest day of her life, Ana battles snakes, mosquitoes, and harsh landscapes. All the while her punk rocker sister (played by Miriam Higareda) lives it up with the groom’s family. This fish-out-of-water comedy features stellar performances, not to mention an essential lesson regarding vanity and selfishness. Spotlight Film.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

SAT 3/15 / 7:30 / S6 WED 3/19 / 10:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 7:00 / DGC Dir. Andrew Fierberg (U.S., 91 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

On vacation from Mexico, wealthy man-children Oscar (Miguel Rodarte) and Arturo (Osvaldo Benavides) are causing havoc in New York City, partying like there’s no tomorrow. Their sense of entitlement is only outmatched by their unchecked stamina. Amidst the debauchery, the two get caught up in a Homeland security investigation that threatens to derail their amusement. This rambunctious comedy of mistaken identities and sexual promiscuity is a riot from start to finish. Co-starring Stephanie Stigman (Miss Bala). Spotlight Film.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features A Coleção Invisível

Dame tus ojos THU 3/13 / 4:30 / S7 TUE 3/18 / 4:30 / S7

SUN 3/16 / 8:00 / S2 SUN 3/23 / 9:45 / S6

Dir. Bernard Attal (Brazil, 89 min., 2012, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Jose Luis Gutierrez (Mexico, 87 min., 2014 Spanish w/ English subtitles)

When a young band promoter named Beto loses all of his friends in a car accident, he begins to spiral down a rabbit hole of guilt and resentment. In an attempt to leave his trauma behind, Beto ventures into the Brazilian countryside in search of a collection of rare drawings. Here he meets an art collector and his family that changes his outlook on life. Contains beautiful location photography and honest performances that help make this drama a lasting portrait of redemption.

Deseo

Detained in the Desert SUN 3/16 / 10:00 / S2 TUE 3/18 / 9:15 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 7:00 / S7

TUE 3/18 / 7:30 / S6 SUN 3/23 / 5:00 / DGC Dir. Iliana Sosa (USA, 95 min., 2013, English)

Dir. Antonio Zavala Kugler (Mexico, 97 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Sexy, stylish, and sophisticated, this Mexican melodrama about a soldier who falls in love with a servant, weaves multiple steamy vignettes together to examine the way fate and romance make fools of us all. Sporting an all-star cast that includes Christian Bach, Lila Downs, Edith Gonzalez, Ari Borovoy, Pedro Damián, Paulina Gaitán, Paola Nunez, Gerardo Taracena, Leonor Varela, and Geraldine Zinat, Deseo is hot-blooded cinema at it’s most extreme and erotic. Spotlight Film.

Written by Josefina Lopez (Real Women Have Curves), this drama centers around two very different people on opposite sides of the immigration debate who find themselves lost in the desert. Under such drastic circumstances, the rhetoric of political ideology and judgment fade away to reveal the humanity and compassion necessary to understand another’s perspective. Will screen as part of the US/ Latino showcase presented by HBO. U.S. Latino Showcase.

Los dioses rotos

Los dueños TUE 3/18 / 4:00 / DGC Dir. Ernesto Daranas (Cuba, 96 min., 2008, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Laura is an acclaimed scholar obsessed with studying a famous Cuban pimp who was shot dead in the streets of Havana. In order to expand her area of study, Laura sets out to explore the seedier areas of the city, a decision that introduces her to a world of prostitution, blackmail, and violence. Cuban Film Showcase.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

THU 3/13 / 5:00 / S6 TUE 3/18 / 8:00 / DGC SUN 3/23 / 6:00 / S1 Dirs. Ezequiel Radusky, Agustín Toscano (Argentina, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Sergio and his family work on an estate in Northern Argentina, and occupy the main residence while their boss is away. Their routine is interrupted when Pia, the eldest daughter of the absent owners, returns to the house a few days before her father’s wedding. Ezequiel Radusky and Agustín Toscano masterfully dissect issues of wealth and poverty within this seemingly subtle scenario, making a powerful statement about class in the process. Premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features Espacio interior

La espera desespera THU 3/13 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 5:00 / DGC FRI 3/21 / 9:45 / S2

SUN 3/16 / 6:00 / S1 WED 3/19 / 10:30 / S1 SUN 3/23 / 10:15 / S1

Dir. Kai Parlange Tessmann (Mexico, 89 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Coraly Santaliz (Puerto Rico, 98 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Kuno Becker stars as Lázaro, a family man who is kidnapped and held for ransom in a small room. During his imprisonment, Lázaro must come to grips with all of the disappointments and doubts he has felt over the years. Meanwhile, his wife Maria (Ana Serradilla) works with authorities to try and get her husband released. But will he ever be the same man? Freedom has its price as well. A sobering psychological drama, the film explores one man’s attempt to redefine what freedom means in his life. Spotlight Film.

Jorge is a regular guy with a boring job. He enjoys his banal life. But after finding out his wife will need an expensive, life-saving heart surgery, Jorge decides to do the unthinkable: rob a bank for the cash. Coraly Santaliz infuses this edgy premise with a slapstick sensibility, sending Jorge down a clumsy and potentially dangerous path towards economic rejuvenation. This Puerto Rican film is rich with quirky characters, inventive plot twists, and hilarious misadventures.

Esclavo de Dios

Esther en alguna parte FRI 3/14 / 7:30 / S6 MON 3/17 / 8:00 / DGC WED 3/19 / 8:30 / S1

FRI 3/14 / 5:30 / S2 FRI 3/21 / 9:15 / S7 Dir. Joel Novoa (Argentina/Venezuela, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Extreme religious beliefs drive the two lead characters of this heart-pounding political thriller. David is a veteran Mossad agent attempting to thwart terrorist activities in Argentina; while Ahmed is a sleeper cell agent for a Muslim extremist group. He finally gets his chance to carry out a suicide mission in Buenos Aires. Both men embark on a bloody and harrowing journey to justify their fundamental ideologies no matter the cost. Director Joel Novoa avoids the temptation to demonize either character, instead painting both as complex individuals and products of their respective belief systems.

Dir. Gerardo Chijona (Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Lino is a widower enjoying his peaceful life. This quiet existence is turned completely upside down when Larry Po, a quirky old man who suffers from multiple personality disorders, informs Lino that his wife led a double life. Cuban master Gerardo Chijona spins this intriguing setup into a fun and often comedic mystery that envelops its lead characters in an elaborate web. Cuban Film Showcase.

Esto no es una cita SAT 3/15 / 9:15 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 8:30 / S1 Dir. Guillermo Fernández Groizard (Spain, 76 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Robert and Paula are polar opposite personalities who work together in a bustling Madrid office. But one day they find themselves alone, because almost all of their entire company has chosen to take vacations at the same time. During this one fateful day, the two colleagues will begin a hilarious and entangled relationship full of pitfalls, judgments, and assumptions. A wonderful romantic comedy that explores the surprising ways that trust, loyalty, and appreciation can wiggle their way into our lives at the most unsuspecting times. World Cinema.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features Ghetto Klown

Hacerse el sueco SAT 3/15 / 7:00 / DGC FRI 3/21 / 8:30 / S1

MON 3/17 / 4:00 / DGC Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres (2001, 105 min., Cuba, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Fisher Stevens (2014, 96 min., 2014, English)

No topic or controversy is off-limits in superstar John Leguizamo’s fifth HBO solo special adapting his Drama Desk Award-winning one-man stage show of the same name. Hilarious, edgy, and poignant, Leguizamo dissects contradictions facing current topics such as race, identity, and gender with his patented wit and subversive point-of-view. The live performance also uses colorful animation and lighting designs that compliment Leguizamo’s playful but blunt stand up comedy.

Masquerading as a Swedish literature professor in Cuba, a professional thief plots a spectacular jewel heist. He ends up with more than he bargained for when he falls for the daughter of a retired police officer and is practically adopted by her family. Immersed in the colorful sights and sounds of Havana, the seemingly innocent tourist must "play the Swede.” This great comedy from Daniel Díaz Torres is a classic tale of mistaken identity in the vein of the best films by Alfred Hitchcock. Cuban Film Showcase.

Heli FRI 3/14 / 10:00 / S2 MON 3/17 / 9:45 / S6 FRI 3/21 / 10:00 / S2 Dir. Amat Escalante (Mexico, 105 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A naive and arrogant police cadet decides to steal money from his corrupt superiors, endangering his young girlfriend and her innocent family in the process. This central decision creates terrifying consequences that ripple outward, affecting everyone involved; and ultimately revealing the omniscient sense of control and power wielded by both the narcos and law enforcement officers in modern Mexico. Amat Escalante won the Best Directing award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for his intense, often disturbing crime drama. Mexico Today Showcase.

I Am From Chile THU 3/13 / 10:00 / S2 SUN 3/23 / 3:30 / S1 Dir. Gonzalo Diaz (Chile, 109 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A wealthy young Chilean named Salvador (Diego Ruiz) visits his aunt Maria (Paulina Garcia from the critically acclaimed Gloria) in London. She lives in a small flat with multiple other emigres trying to make a living in the sprawling city. During his time abroad, Salvador experiences a rush of conflicting emotions, as he watches Maria struggle with her alcohol addiction; and while his new roommates battle the bureaucratic red tape facing immigrants looking for a better life. Director Gonzalo Diaz weaves this political subtext with a coming-of-age story full of nuance and sobering epiphany.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features LA JAULA DE ORO

LEVANTAMUERTOS SAT 3/15 / 9:45 / S6 MON 3/17 / 8:30 / S1 SAT 3/22 / 3:30 / S1

FRI 3/21 / 5:00 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 10:30 / S1 Dir. Miguel Nuñez (Mexico, 82 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Diego Quemada-Díez (Mexico, 102 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A trio of Guatemalan teens decide to make the 1,200 mile journey north through Mexico to the United States. Diego Quemada-Díez’s brilliant drama explores the difficult obstacles facing them along the way, and how quickly they can be separated on a moment’s notice. In the vein of Gregory Nava’s El Norte and Robert Young’s Alambrista!, La jaula de oro doesn’t shy away from the difficult realities of immigration; while also developing complex characters working together to survive an unpredictable landscape. Championed as a new voice in Mexican cinema at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Mexico Today Showcase.

Ivan works with dead people. He is a young coroner trying to establish a successful career path in a profession with stiff competition. Miguel Nuñez’s pitch black comedy follows Ivan as he makes his way through the hottest day of the year in a rural Mexican town filled with oddball characters and dangerous liaisons. Throw in a pet pig, and you’ve got a strange, edgy portrait of modern Mexico on the brink of madness. Mexico Today Showcase.

LISANKA

LA LLAMADA SAT 3/15 / 1:00 / DGC

SUN 3/16 / 12:00 / S6 WED 3/19 / 6:15 / DGC

Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres (Cuba, 110 min., 2010, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. David Nieto (Ecuador, 76 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Daniel Díaz Torres’ revealing and honest romance is set in a fictitious rural village at the peak of the Cuban missile crisis. Within this tense locale, three Cubans and one Soviet soldier become embroiled in a love square that unravels slowly over time. Paying equal attention to the complex emotional terrain and the physical landscape, Torres proves why he was one of his country’s finest dramatists. Cuban Film Showcase.

It’s the last day of school and Nicolas is about to be expelled after yet another class prank has gone awry. This forces his mother, Aurora, a high-powered advertising executive obsessed with her work, to trek across town in order to convince school officials to lessen the punishment. Director David Nieto paints both characters as three-dimensional people in desperate need of a wake-up call. Part comedy, part coming-of-age drama, the film follows mother and son as they separately make peace with their failures and look forward to starting fresh.

Margarita

Las mariposas de Sadourní SAT 3/15 / 10:00 / S2 WED 3/19 / 9:45 / S6

SAT 3/15 / 12:30 / S2 SUN 3/16 / 5:30 / S2 TUES 3/18 / 6:15 / DGC Dirs. Dominique Cardona, Laurie Colbert (Canada, 90 min., 2012, English)

Margarita works as a live-in maid for power couple Ben and Gail and their teenage daughter Mali. She’s dating a beautiful female medical student and is happy taking the lead on the family’s domestic routine. This all changes when a series of bad investments threaten to bankrupt the family permanently. To cut costs, Ben and Gail fire Margarita, an action that completely upsets all sense of cohesion in the household. Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert’s tender drama gets at the heart of unlikely friendships and the rash actions that can potentially taint them forever. Cine Gay Showcase. Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

Dir. Darío Nardi (Argentina, 87 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features Matrimonio

Me late chocolate SUN 3/16 / 4:30 / S7 FRI 3/21 / 8:00 / DGC

THU 3/20 / 5:00 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 8:30 / S1

Dir. Carlos Jaureguialzo (Argentina, 85 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Joaquín Bissner (Mexico, 100 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Cecilia Roth (All About My Mother) and Dario Grandinetti play a married couple who have been together over twenty years. Over the course of one day, Carlos Jaureguialzo’s film will explore the little moments in their daily routine and how these actions represent a photograph of their relationship as a whole. Using a script that adheres to the complexities and inconsistencies of a long-standing emotional union, Matrimonio is a film made for adult movie-goers looking for a resonant and truthful drama.

Charming as ever, Karla Souza plays Moni, a happy woman who loses her fiance Xavi (Jorge Luis Moreno) in a car accident, and must find the strength to overcome the tragedy. Instead of falling into despair, Moni chooses to follow her passion of making chocolate. Upon arriving to class, she meets Alex (Osvaldo Benavides), a handsome instructor who may be the key to her future. If only she could stop having visions of Xavi during her daily routine. As the confection mentioned in its title, Me Late Chocolate is a sweet and soothing romantic comedy that will rejuvenate your faith in love.

Meu passado me condena: O Filme SAT 3/15 / 2:00 / S7 THU 3/20 / 8:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 11:30 AM / S7

Mi mejor regalo SAT 3/15 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 11:30 AM / S7 SAT 3/22 / 5:00 / S6

Dir. Julia Rezende (Brazil, 102 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

Dir. José Gerardo (Mexico, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

When Fabio and Mia meet, they experience a rush of emotions that leads to marriage almost immediately. Happy that they have found true love, the couple embarks on their honeymoon in Europe. As if fate were slapping them in the face, the two newlyweds encounter their respective ex’s who are now dating and are also on the very same cruise! A box office hit in its native Brazil, Meu passado me condena: O Filme is a rousing comedy of happenstance that is as charming as it is sweet. Comedy Showcase.

Newly heartbroken and alone, Daniel (Plutarco Haza) also struggles to make a living as an actor. In short, his life is looking like a complete failure. Then his ex-girlfriend's father, Don Gustavo, unexpectedly knocks on his door and informs Daniel that he has an 8-year-old daughter named Samantha. Suddenly, Daniel is faced with a whole new set of problems that make his previous complaints seem trivial. In the similar vein of the smash hit, Instructions Not Included, Mi Mejor Regalo is a story about unexpected love and finding the strength to persevere despite life’s many obstacles. Co-starring Claudia Lizaldi. Para la familia.

Minha Mae e uma peca

My Sister’s Quinceañera SUN 3/16 / 3:00 / S2 WED 3/19 / 8:00 / DGC FRI 3/21 / 8:00 / S2

SUN 3/16 / 9:15 / S7 WED 3/19 / 7:30 / S6 SUN 3/23 / 12:00 / S6 Dir. André Pellenz (Brazil, 84 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

Comedies don’t come much more wacky than this one about a disgruntled mother with anxiety issues, from Brazilian filmmaker André Pellenz. Dona Hermínia is fed up with her grown children and decides to take some time off from being a mother. She hides out in her aunt’s house to get some peace and quiet, but starts to reminisce about a rosier past when the kids needed her so badly. Blending elements of slapstick and screwball comedy, Minha Mae e uma peca is a singular tribute to every matriarch who has been driven crazy by her offspring. Comedy Showcase.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Dir. Aaron Douglas Johnston (U.S., 72 min., 2013, English)

Using a cast of Mexican-Americans with no previous acting experience, Aaron Douglas Johnston creates a film of raw emotion and honesty. Set in a small town in Iowa, the Garcia family comes to grips with life’s changing routines and expectations. Older brother Silas dreams of leaving for the city, while the rest of the family focuses on planning his bratty sister’s upcoming quinceañera. Not only a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of independent filmmaking, My Sister’s Quinceañera is a lovely portrait of a family grappling with the inevitability of transition. Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features No sé si cortarme las venas o dejármelas largas MON 3/17 / 7:30 / S6 FRI 3/21 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 2:00 / S7 Dir. Manolo Caro (Mexico, 98 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

How well do we really know our neighbors? Two very different couples living in the same apartment building find out just how little. A handsome, athletic new renter moves onto their floor, and suddenly two gunshots ring out. With a great cast that includes Cecilia Suárez, José María Yazpik, Marimar Vega, and Zuria Vega, this crazy dramedy plays with our expectations while maneuvering the treacherous territory of an urban living space overrun with manic characters.

Pánico 5 Bravo FRI 3/14 / 7:00 / S7 MON 3/17 / 6:15 / DGC THU 3/20 / 9:15 / S7 Dir. Kuno Becker (Mexico, 84 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Mexican superstar Kuno Becker (Goal!) makes his writing and directing debut with this moody story about four paramedics who cross over the Arizona/Mexico border illegally in order to respond to a distress call. But no amount of training could prepare them for what they encounter next. Exciting, dark, and politically relevant, Pánico 5 Bravo represents a major step forward for Becker as an artist; while attempting to deal with the immigration debate through the lens of the classic thriller. Spotlight Film.

El paseo 2 FRI 3/14 / 8:00 / S2 THU 3/20 / 5:30 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 9:15 / S7 Dir. Harold Trompetero (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The massive Calvo family, led by patriarch Lucho (John Leguizamo) decides to take a road trip to Cartagena for a much-needed break from the daily grind. When his wife Gloria’s ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, the entire experience turns into a zany and entertaining series of misadventures punctuated by Lucho’s frustration. Bringing the physical comedy he made famous in Hollywood films, Leguizamo returns to Colombia for this comedic romp that redefines family vacation. Spotlight Film.

La Partida SAT 3/15 / 8:00 / S2 TUE 3/18 / 5:30 / S2 Dir. Antonio Hens (Cuba, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Stacked up against seemingly unsurmountable circumstances, two young men living in Havana turn to male prostitution to make ends meet. Their unquenchable thirst for easy money begins to spiral out of control, pushing their already unstable personal lives to the point of no return. More importantly, their newfound profession threatens to ruin the one relationship they care about the most: the one they share with each other. Cine Gay Showcase.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features La paz

La pelicula de Ana FRI 3/14 / 9:45 / S6 TUE 3/18 / 9:45 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 12:30 / S2

SUN 3/16 / 12:30 / S2 THU 3/20 / 8:30 / S1 Dir. Daniel Díaz Torres (Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Santiago Loza (Argentina, 73 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Recently released from the hospital after suffering an unknown malady, Liso (played by Lisandro Rodriguez) experiences an existential crisis,from being consumed by a life of pampering and privilege. What follows is a subtle and assured drama crafted by director Santiago Loza; one that uses a measured cinematic tone to investigate the nuances of a young man’s restless spirit. It’s a sobering character study that says a lot about masculinity and class in modern Argentina.

Daniel Diaz Torres’ last film is a drama about a professional actress who decides to embark on a new career path after experiencing a prolonged bout of artistic frustration. But will she spiral into a deeper and darker sense of despair? A character study of great depth and veracity, La pelicula de Ana also works beautifully as a satire about a film industry obsessed with the female body and all of its mysteries. Cuban Film Showcase.

La piscina FRI 3/14 / 10:15 / S1 MON / 3/17 / 5:30 / S2 SUN 3/23 / 1:00 / DGC Dir. Carlos Quintela (Venezuela, 65 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In the elegant opening shot, a thick layer of fog dissipates to reveal a calm swimming pool. This will function as the only setting for Carlos Quintela’s coming-of-age film about a young swimming instructor tasked with mentoring four very different teenagers for the day. Diana only has one leg, while Dany is overweight and has Down’s syndrome. Rodrigo has a walking disability and Oscar refuses to speak. As a group, they make for an unlikely human mosaic, but over the course of the film they will each grow in surprising ways. Anchored by gorgeous cinematography and unforgettable performances.

Una pistola en cada mano FRI 3/14 / 8:00 / DGC WED 3/19 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 5:30 / S2 Dir. Cesc Gay (Spain, 95 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Cesc Gay’s intricate and comedic mosaic explores the intersecting lives of multiple Spanish men going through various changes in their love lives. S. (Javier Camara) would like to reconcile with his estranged wife despite her relationship with another man; while G. (Ricardo Darin) discovers an act of infidelity by pure accident. Then there’s P. (Eduardo Noriega) and L. (Luis Tosar), suffering from bouts of insecurity in bed. The fates align as each man comes together at a dinner party in hilariously ironic fashion. Brilliant dialogue and acting by this amazing cast make the film an indelible exploration of the modern psyche.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features Polvo FRI 3/14 / 4:00 / DGC THU / 3/20 / 10:00 / S2

Puerta de Hierro, el exilio de Perón FRI / 3/14/ 6:00 / S1 THU / 3/20 / 4:30 / S7

Dir. Julio Hernández Cordón (Guatemala, 80 min., 2012, English w/ Spanish subtitles)

Dir. Dieguillo Fernández, Víctor Laplace (Argentina, 100 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Ignacio is a single father about to marry Alejandra, who is pregnant with his child. While the future may seem bright, both are still deeply affected by their past relationships. In order to move forward with their lives, the couple decides to make a documentary about the women who are looking for their husbands and fathers who disappeared during the 1982 Guatemalan Civil War. Polvo is an intricate drama that is deeply interested in how the past creeps up on all types of characters, and could potentially offer respite for those still haunted by traumatic memories.

In 1955, president Juan Perón of Argentina who was deposed by a military coup, named Revolución Libertadora, forced him to leave the country before finally returning in 1973. Dieguillo Fernández and Víctor Laplace’s forceful biopic examines this time period in the fateful leader’s life, including his romantic correspondence with another woman unbeknownst to his wife. Such secrets complicate the politician’s place in history, while also painting him as a man torn apart by weakness and guilt.

¿Que le dijiste a dios?

El regreso THURS 3/13 / 7:30 / S6 WED 3/19 / 8:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 2:00 / S7

THU 3/13 / 9:45 / S6 THU 3/20 / 10:30 / S1 Dir. Patricia Ortega (Venezuela, 114 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Teresa Suarez (Mexico, 88 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Two young maids decide to steal clothes from their wealthy boss while he is away at a wedding, setting in motion a wild journey that will take them far from their small village. They might even find their own prince charmings along the way. This rambunctious comedy musical features lively music from legendary singer Juan Gabriel and a sensational young ensemble cast.

A young Wayuu girl narrowly escapes the massacre of her beach-dwelling community at Bahia Portete in Venezuela, and then attempts to rebuild her life in urban Maracaibo. Here she befriends a Castilian girl and learns to overcome differences in language and culture. But will her past eventually catch up to her. Patricia Ortega’s neo-realist film complicates this question by examining how circumstance and fate intertwine, even in the smallest stories. It also proves that resilience is the key to overcoming violence and trauma.

Roa

Sofia y el terco THU 3/13 / 8:30 / S1 MON 3/17 / 9:15 / S7 THU 3/20 / 9:45 / S6 Dir. Andrés Baiz (Colombia, 91 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In the late 1940s, Juan Roa Sierra (Mauricio Puentes) was accused of killing the mayor of Bogota and popular presidential candidate, Jorge Eliecer Gaitan. With this detailed period piece and political thriller, director Andrés Baiz retraces the steps of history to examine exactly what happened that changed the course of Colombia’s history forever. Co-starring Catalina Sandino Moreno (The Bridge, Maria Full of Grace), Roa is both an intense genre film and evocative look at how historical events can change depending on the perspective. Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

THU 3/13 / 10:30 / S1 WED 3/19 / 4:30 / S7 Dir. Andrés Burgos (Colombia, 74 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dissatisfied with her tedious homelife, Sofia (Carmen Maura) decides to leave her stalwart but mundane husband behind and embark on a once in a lifetime vacation to a place she's only dreamed of visiting: the ocean. Andrés Burgos’ subtle and affecting drama is a gorgeous portrait of one woman’s quest to redefine her life by embracing the unexpected. It’s a great cinematic showcase for Maura’s subtly brilliant acting style.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

narrative features Solo

Sombras de azul FRI 3/14 / 5:00 / S6 THU 3/20 / 4:00 / DGC

SAT 3/15 / 5:30 / S2 THU 3/20 / 6:00 / S1 SUN 3/23 / 2:30 / S6

Dir. Guillermo Rocamora (Uruguay, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

This comedy from Uruguay follows Nelson, a 45-year-old member of the Air Force band, who becomes unbelievably depressed after his wife leaves him. A music contest in his small town gives Nelson the chance to prove his worth again; while an impending promotion in the military threatens to relocate him to a wintry new climate. Will he choose redemption or a new career path? This conflict resides at the heart of Guillermo Rocamora’s assured deadpan character piece.

Somos Mari Pepa THU 3/13 / 5:30 / S2 SAT 3/15 / 5:00 / S6 MON 3/17 / 10:15 / S1

Dir. Kelly Daniela Norris (U.S./Cuba, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Shot entirely in Cuba, Kelly Daniela Norris’ beautiful romance follows Maribel, a young Mexican woman, as she traverses Havana in the wake of her brother’s suicide, trying to make sense of the grief she is feeling. Here, she meets Eusebio, a petty thief and wood craftsman, who becomes her tour guide through a bustling and vibrant city brimming with possibility. Particularly attuned to the smaller moments that make such a resounding emotional impact, the film is a gorgeous representation of how memory and perspective merge together.

Stand Clear of the Closing Doors SUN 3/16 / 5:00 / S6 THU 3/20 / 6:15 / DGC Dir. Sam Fleischner (U.S., 102 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Samuel Kishi (Mexico, 100 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A soft-spoken 16-year-old tries to start a rock band with his friends only to find the venture become more complicated as teenage life gets in the way. A vivacious indie film from Mexican director Samuel Kishi, Somos Mari Pepa contemplates the fragmentation of artistic expression over time and the clash of generations, all while showcasing some truly invigorating music. There aren’t many films that are this honest about the ebbs and flows of growing up, but Kishi’s film is just that. Mexico Today Showcase.

Tercera llamada

Thesis on a Homicide SAT 3/15 / 6:00 / S1 TUE 3/18 / 7:00 / S7 Dir. Francisco Franco Alba (Mexico, 92 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

What happens when a disgruntled theater troupe tries to mount an ambitious production of Albert Camus’ Caligula? In this feisty Mexican comedy, all hell breaks loose. All of the usual suspects are present: the film features a neurotic director, a foul-mouthed producer, and a sizable cast of eccentric actors all clamouring for the spotlight. Watching these larger- than-life personalities bounce off each other is a pure delight and a loving tribute to the gleeful mania of the theater. Starring amazing actors such as Karina Gidi, Irene Azuela, Mariana Trevino, Fernando Lujan and Cecilia Suarez. Mexico Today Showcase.

Ricky’s life is dominated by his autism. He wants to see the world at his own pace, but school and family restrictions often get in the way. Such a chance arises when his sister decides to hang out with a friend, leaving Ricky free to board a subway by himself and get lost in the maze of New York City’s transit routes. Sam Fleischner’s moving independent film is a lovely city symphony that is wonderfully attuned to the rhythms of its character’s emotions. U.S./Latino Showcase.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

SAT 3/15 / 8:30 / S1 THU 3/20 / 7:00 / S7 SUN 3/23 / 9:15 / S7 Dir. Hernán Golfrid (Argentina, 106 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Argentine star Ricardo Darin plays as a respected criminologist and professor who becomes suspicious of a student after a series of murders rock the campus. His investigation leads him down a dark and dangerous path that could not only unravel his career, but make him the next victim. Hernán Golfrid directs this surreal thriller with careful attention to color patterns and shadowy lighting, creating a menacing mood that matches the psychologically intense story. Spotlight Film.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

narrative features Viaje a Tombuctú

Violet SAT 3/15 / 2:30 / S6 SUN / 3/16 / 10:15 / S1 SAT / 3/22 / 9:45 / S6

THU 3/13 / 8:00 / S2 MON 3/17 / 7:00 / S7 THU 3/20 / 8:00 / DGC

Dir. Rossana Diaz Costa (Peru, 100 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Luiso Berdejo (U.S./Spain, 90 min., 2013, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Ana and Lucho meet as children and share an instant connection. As they grow up together in Peru during the 1980s, their relationship grows from friendship to complicated romance, which mirrors the country’s own transition into a chaotic political climate. During this time of transition, the couple decides to take a road trip with friends into the countryside, hoping to find peace from the violence in search of a utopian sense of community only found in the imaginary place referenced in the film’s title.

Alex is a young Spanish photographer visiting Santa Monica, Los Angeles hoping to learn more about his grandfather. A falling palm frond and a mysterious woman in a polaroid sets off a series of events that will lead him down a wild and fateriddled journey through the City of Angels. Will he find the answers about family and love that he so desperately wants? This tale of happenstance and desire is both charming and romantic, and co-stars Ricardo Darin and Carlos Bardem. Spotlight Film.

Viral

Water & Power SUN 3/16 / 9:45 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 10:15 / S2 Dir. Lucas Figueroa (Spain, 95 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

THU 3/13 / 9:15 / S7 SAT 3/22 / 6:00 / S1 Dir. Richard Montoya (U.S., 87 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Twin brothers with the nicknames “Water” and “Power” find themselves on opposite sides of the law in East Los Angeles. One is a decorated cop, the other a corrupt senator. Both are forced to reconcile their differences when violence threatens their futures. Based on his own play, director Richard Montoya (a member of Culture Clash) pays homage to the classic film noir with this modern tale of regret, fatality, and betrayal. Narrated by Emilio Rivera (Sons of Anarchy) and co-starring the late Lupe Ontiveras. U.S. Latino Showcase.

Wakolda (The German Doctor) WED 3/19 / 6:00 / S1 SUN 3/23 / 8:00 / S2 Dir. Lucía Puenzo (Argentina, 93 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

An Argentine family meets a mysterious doctor from Germany while traveling through Patagonia. The man shows an unnatural interest in their teenage daughter, sparking speculation that he might have ulterior motives besides friendship. Lucía Puenzo’s sharply observed drama takes the audience back to a time and place where Nazi paranoia captured the attention of an entire nation. Eventually, the doctor’s true identity is revealed, sending shockwaves through a small community unaware of the pure evil that was living in their midst.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

documentary features El cañaveral

El caso CocaCola SUN 3/23 / 12:30 / S2

FRI 3/14 / 4:30 / S7 SUN 3/16 / 3:15 / DGC

Dir. Samuel Lopez (El Salvador, 58 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Fearing for his life, Joaquín, an HIV+ gay Salvadoran political activist, seeks asylum in Canada but the outcome of his refugee claim looks bleak. He is summoned to the Border Agency where he will receive the response to his refugee claim. Brutally frank and perceptive, Samuel Lopez’s documentary looks closely at how identity and ideology converge in one man’s pursuit of sanctuary. Cine Gay Showcase.

Cesar’s Last Fast

Dirs. Germán Gutiérrez, Carmen García (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Colombia is the trade union murder capital of the world. Since 2002, more than 470 workers’ leaders have been brutally killed, usually by paramilitaries hired by private companies intent on crushing the unions. Among these unscrupulous corporate brands is the poster boy for American business: Coca-Cola. These unpunished crimes spur U.S. activists David Kovalik, Terry Collingsworth and Ray Rogers into an ambitious crusade against the soft drink giant. A searing indictment of a major corporate brand, The Coca-Cola Case takes us on a riveting legal game of cat and mouse via the U.S. federal court and the Stop Killer Coke! campaign. Documania! Showcase

Chateles del campo THU 3/13 / 8:00 / DGC MON 3/17 / 8:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 7:30 / S6

SAT 3/15 / 3:00 / S2 SAT 3/22 / 1:00 / DGC Dir. Jason Outenreath (Nicaragua, 70 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dirs. Lorena Parlee, Richard Ray Perez (U.S., 100 min., 2014, Spanish w/ English)

Using remarkable unseen footage and candid interviews, directors Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee examine the last act of protest in the amazing life of Cesar Chavez. The year was 1988, and for 36 days Chavez participated in a wateronly hunger strike to draw attention to the disturbing and horrific effects of unfettered pesticide use on farm workers, their families, and their communities. The result is a powerful documentary that does justice to a powerful activist who spent his life fighting for the rights of others. Premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. U.S. Latino Showcase.

Cidade Cinza (Grey City)

Don Ca SUN 3/16 / 2:30 / S6 Dirs. Marcelo Mesquita, Guilherme Vallengo (Brazil, 85 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

In the opening moments of this powerful documentary about underground graffiti, the camera hovers over São Paulo, Brazil, viewing the expansiveness with a feeling of calm solemnity. Scale and scope are key elements to both the landscape’s imposing frame and the intricate murals that have popped up on concrete walls all around the city. Alternating between interviews with artists responsible for the upswing in tagging and the politicians trying to stave off their chosen medium, Cidade Cinza is both a gorgeously rendered vision of the creative process and the political implications that inevitably follow. Documania! Showcase.

This engaging and knowing documentary takes the viewer deep into the rural countryside of Nicaragua to explore the work of local teachers with children from impoverished backgrounds. We see the passion and dedication of these professionals, but also the conflicts in bureaucracy and lesson plans that threaten to stall the overall educational system. Director Jason Outenreath’s camera lingers like a fly on the wall, always respectful of the subjects and the poetry of their daily routines. Documania! Showcase.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

SAT 3/15 / 3:15 / DGC SUN 3/23 / 3:00 / S2 Dir. Patricia Ayala Ruiz (Colombia, 90 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Hypnotic and wise, Patricia Ayala Ruiz’s documentary portrait of Camilo Arboleda Arroyo explores how one man’s presence empowered an entire community ravaged by Civil War. A descendant of slave owners and belonging to a wealthy family, Arroyo fled his life of luxury for the town of Guapi Camilo, a forgotten Afro-Colombian coastal town. Here, he began working as a teacher with misbegotten youths, transforming the education system in the process. Documania! Showcase.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

documentary features El Huaso

Las Marthas SAT. 3/15 / 12:00 PM / S6 WED. 3/19 / 4:00 / DGC

SAT / 3/22 / 3:00 / S2 SUN / 3/23 / 3:15 / DGC

Dir. Carlo Guillermo Proto (Chile, 80 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Cristina Ibarra (U.S., 90 min., 2014, English and Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Gustavo Proto is a Chilean who moved his family to Toronto hoping to secure them a better life. Now 58, he struggles with bouts of depression and flirts with the idea of suicide. Hoping to fend off these morbid and potentially devastating feelings, Gustavo returns to Chile to fulfil his childhood dream of become a huaso, a Chilean cowboy. Directed by Gustavo’s son, Carlo, El Huaso is a sobering and emotionally resonant documentary about the pressures of parenting and the power of family support systems. Documania! Showcase.

The border town of Laredo hosts one of the largest celebrations of George Washington's birthday with its Mexican sister-city, Nuevo Laredo. This 116-year-old tradition has become a month-long jubilee epitomized by the renowned Colonial Ball. Young society girls spend a year preparing for this event, in which they will wear $30,000 gowns - the median family income of Laredo. Award-winning filmmaker Cristina Ibarra takes us on a year-long journey following two of these Mexican-American debutants, celebrating their unique personalities, but also looking at the social and economic implications of the celebration they love so dearly. Latino Public Broadcasting Showcase.

Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America THUR 3/13 / 4:00 / DGC TUES 3/18 / 6:00 / S1 SUN 3/23 / 7:00 / DGC

Palabras mágicas

Dir. Rodrigo H. Vila (Argentina, 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

This haunting music documentary is a deeply intimate journey into the life and music of Mercedes Sosa, one of the most influential singers and personalities of the 20th century. Told through her own voice, the film acts as an autobiographical guide through her life, her successes and failures, her love stories and all her suffering. Features multiple interviews and testimonies from some of Latin America’s most influential musicians and luminaries, all speaking candidly about Sosa's importance as an artist who went beyond the borders of music and became an icon for her generation. Documania! Showcase.

Prova de artista

SAT 3/22 / 12:00 PM / S6 Dir. Mercedes Moncada Rodríguez (Nicaragua/Mexico, 82 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A highly surreal documentary that examines the history and terrain of Lake Managua, which has become Nicaragua’s key sewer and waste dumping site. Director Mercedes Moncada Rodríguez sees the tainted but majestic body of water as an allegory for her country’s revolution. The vibrant cinematography depicts a landscape that seems picturesque on the surface but hides an underbelly of trauma and rot. Documania! Showcase.

Purgatorio MON 3/17 / 5:00 / S6

SUN 3/23 / 5:00 / S6

Dir. José Joffily (Brazil, 84 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Rodrigo Reyes (Mexico, 80 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Centered around the intense professional landscape of Brazil’s orchestra scene, this music documentary envelops the viewer in a world where art, sacrifice, and dedication clash on a daily basis. Director José Joffily is equally concerned with his subjects as he is with their musical accomplishments and failures; burrowing into their daily routines and experiences in order to paint an overall picture of their lifestyle. Documania!

Beautiful, and haunting, this dream-like documentary re-imagines the U.S./Mexico border as a surreal place where spellbound residents are stuck between perception and reality. Pristine imagery is key to director Rodrigo Reyes’ ethereal vision, painting a sometimes brutal landscape with vibrant colors and textures. As a result, Purgatorio challenges the typical definition of non-fiction cinema, residing somewhere on the boundary of narrative and essay film. U.S./Latino Showcase.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

documentary features Quebranto SUN 3/16 / 7:30 / S6 SAT 3/22 / 3:15 / DGC

Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle THU / 3/20 / 7:30 / S6 SAT / 3/22 / 5:00 / DGC

Dir. Roberto Fiesco (Mexico, 92 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dir. Phillip Rodriguez (U.S., 90 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

An unforgettable portrait of a mother and son. Doña Lilia Ortega is an actress who lives with her son, Fernando, once a famous child actor who came out as a transvestite and now calls herself, Coral Bonelli. Living together under one roof, the two reminisce about the past and discuss topics ranging from gender, desire, and performance. This marvelous documentary is a profoundly moving statement about the challenges of identity. Cine Gay Showcase.

Ruben Salazar, one of the most important journalists covering the Chicano movement of the late 1960s, was killed under mysterious circumstances by a law enforcement officer in 1970. This documentary seeks to investigate Salazar’s death and more importantly, contextualize his work as a reporter during a period of great unrest. Includes interviews with Salazar’s friends, family, and colleagues. Latino Public Broadcasting Showcase.

Serrat y Sabina: El simbolo y el cuate FRI / 3/21 / 7:30 / S6 SAT / 3/22 / 4:30 / S7

The State of Arizona SUN / 3/16 / 2:00 / S7 FRI / 3/21 / 4:00 / DGC

Dir. Francesc Relea (Spain, 83 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dirs. Carlos Sandoval, Catherine Tambini (U.S., 90 min., 2014, English)

Go on the road with Joan Manuel Serrat, an icon of Latin American music, and his talented companion, Joaquin Sabina, for an amazing exploration into their world music tour. In this wild romp of a documentary, the viewer will not only get to share time with music legends, but will get a first hand look into their creative process. Both subjects express an uncanny vulnerability and openness to the camera, making their discussions all the more interesting. Spotlight Film.

In 2010, the Arizona Senate passed controversial immigration law SB1070, also known as the “papers please” law, igniting a national maelstrom. Mixing in interviews with footage of heated protest rallies and television coverage, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue — activists, politicians, Latino immigrants, ranchers, controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the newly empowered Tea Party movement, for whom illegal immigration is a flashpoint subject — depicting a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values. Latino Public Broadcasting Showcase. Latino Public Broadcasting Showcase.

Who is Dayani Cristal?

Yo, indocumentada FRI. 3/14 / 6:15 / DGC TUES. 3/18 / 8:30 / S1 SAT. 3/22 / 2:30 / S6 Dir. Marc Silver (U.S., 82 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Mixing documentary and fiction to reveal the complexities defining the immigration issue, director Marc Silver’s hybrid film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as a migrant making his way from Latin America up to the U.S./Mexico border. Intercut within this narrative is the true story of staff from the Arizona Medical Examiner’s office investigating the death of a migrant bearing the tattoo, “Dayani Cristal.” A mystery and allegory of the highest order, Who is Dayani Cristal challenges the viewer to connect the dots within a complex story that could have multiple different outcomes. U.S. Latino Showcase.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

SUN / 3/16 / 1:00 / DGC Dir. Andrea Raranenko (Venezuela, 61 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Tamara, Desiree, and Victoria are all Venezuelan women from different walks of life. On first glance, this lawyer, stylist, and art student have very little in common. However, each carries an identification card that bears a different name. Each is a transsexual woman who has changed her gender. However, the Venezuelan government does not recognize their transition. In fact, the country still suffers from rampant homophobia and prejudice. Andrea Raranenko’s stunning documentary is protest art at its finest, giving these subjects a voice in order to make a change, both personally and nationally. Cine Gay Showcase.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

short films Cine Gay

113 MIN., FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 6:00 PM A collection of short films detailing the LGBTQ related experiences of Latinos from around the world. Dynamic, honest, and vital, these films are a beautiful reminder of the power of acceptance, perseverance, and love. Alex y Fabio Ya No Están Dir. Alejandro D. Orengo Colon

You’re Dead To Me Dir. Wu Tsang (USA, 13 min., 2013, English)

Andrea, a grieving Chicana mother, confronts an uninvited family member before her Día de los Muertos celebration. By night’s end, death offers her a choice that she couldn’t make in life.

(Puerto Rico, 18 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Alex and Fabio’s intricate relationship is examined through a series of flashbacks, highlighting their initial insatiable desire for one another to the inopportune turn of events that led to the dismantling of their relationship. What results is not only an examination of a broken relationship, but an honest portrayal of modern love and its oftentimes fleeting nature.

CORTOS ESPAÑOLES

122 MIN., TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 5:00 PM A spirited arrangement of extraordinary short films from Spain which deal deftly with themes related to love, greed, power, and the endurance of the human spirit. Democracia Dir. Borja Cobeaga

Antes de Palavras Dir. Diego Carvalho Sá (Brazil, 13 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

A fragmented account of the growing attraction between Celio and Dario; two classmates who are brought together by a series of serendipitous encounters and their own naive curiosity. As they attempt to internally come to terms with their connection, Celio’s paramour, Sofia, takes it upon herself to decipher the feelings she knows exist between the two boys. Bajo El Último Techo Dir. Edgar A. Romero (Mexico, 12 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Beto, an imaginative and precocious 9 year-old, feels creatively stifled by his overbearing grandparents who act as his guardians. He finds an outlet through a friendship he forms with Stephany, his transgender neighbor, who helps him see the world in unexpected ways. Carreteras Dir. Denisse Quintero (Mexico, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Carmela, a young shopkeeper, leads a serene life in the Mexican countryside. Her world is flipped upside down with the arrival of Abril, a vibrant and intrepid force of nature. Carmela must make the decision between keeping her quotidian life intact or pursuing an adventure into the unknown with Abril. O Pacote Dir. Rafael Aidar (Brazil, 19 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

The rapidly developing relationship between two teenagers living in San Paolo comes to a halt after the realization one of them is HIV+. Together, they must decide whether or not the stigma associated with this reality will keep them apart. O Ser Un Elefante Dir. Ulises Pérez Mancilla (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

After the death of his longtime lover, a man becomes obsessed with the personality of elephants, who they say, never forget. Solsticio Dir. Juan Francisco Viruega (Spain, 20 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In this loose iteration of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a young orchestra director returns to the island where she was born after losing her family in bizarre circumstances. There, she must cross three emotional thresholds in order to forgive herself and begin anew.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

(Spain, 11 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The head of a company suggests a controversial method for boosting employee morale, much to the chagrin of an individual who believes the success of the proposed plan is detrimental to his well-being. Mi Ojo Derecho Dir. Josecho de Linares (Spain, 13 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Zurdo visits his estranged grandmother after years of not seeing her, due to his other obligations. Despite his initial embarrassment for falling so deeply out of touch with her, he soon realizes that not even time or distance could break the special bond they share with one another. Ngutu Dir. Felipe del Olmo and Daniel Valledor (Spain, 4 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Ngutu is a struggling newspaper vendor faced with the harsh truth that his job may soon be obsolete. He is forced to come up with an ingenious solution to maintain his relevancy. El Otro Dir. Jorge Dorado (Spain, 18 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Andres is a misanthrope who lives in a caravan in the woods. While running some errands, he meets Daniela and forms a connection with her. The next morning, he wakes up naked in the woods with no trace of Daniela. Peluquero Futbolero Dir. Juan Manuel Aragón (Spain, 13 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A well-to-do man stumbles through a desolate neighborhood and finds himself at the mercy of a soccer fanatic barber whose obsession reveals more than a pointed critique on Spain’s social and economic issues. Pequeño Bloque de Cemento Con Pelo Alborotado Conteniendo El Mar Dir. Jorge López Navarrete (Spain, 16 min., 2013, No Dialogue)

This is the elegiac account of a dog and a mare who journey through the countryside together. Despite their obvious differences, the two develop a strong and undeniable connection with one another in this beautiful meditation on the unifying power of nature.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

short films El Rastrillo Se Quiere Comprometer Dir. Santi Veiga

Cólera Dir. Aritz Moreno

(Spain, 14 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Spain, 7 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

El Rastrillo, an atypical and free-spirited individual, is issued an ultimatum by his put-upon girlfriend. He must find something to commit to in order for her to believe that he is invested in their relationship. El Rastrillo rises to the occasion and learns that beneath his preposterous veneer exists a true romantic.

A townsman is infected with a mysterious disease. His neighbors take matters into their own hands to ensure his infection does not spread.

Sexo Explicito Dir. José Manuel Carrasco

(Argentina, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

La Donna Dir. Nicolás Dolensky

A frank but playful discussion about sex reveals an underlying tension between a couple.

Two men and a woman have a booze filled dinner as they playfully flirt with one another, sing, and enjoy witty banter. A subtle action changes the mood of the room leading to a palpable emotional emptiness between the guests.

Voice Over Dir. Martín Rosete

Gente Buena Dir. David Norris

(Spain/ USA, 10 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Puerto Rico, 9 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Spain, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Three extreme situations disguise a completely relatable one in this short film about survival and courage. Wade in the Water Dir. Stefano Ridolfi

Pito is trying to enjoy the simple pleasures that arise from watching an exciting game of basketball and drinking his favorite beer. A malfunction with his television and a visit from a stranger threaten to ruin his perfect afternoon. Guárdame Puesto Dir. Alfredo Hueck

(Spain, 13 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Two bumbling comrades find themselves in possession of VW Beetlle…with a woman inside the trunk. The three begin a zany adventure that will change the course of their lives forever.

CORTOS INTERNACIONALES

123 MIN., SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1:00 PM A collection of international short films that present varied accounts of the Latino experience. Hilarious, heart-wrenching, and at times, inspiring, these works serve as a reminder of the unifying power of cinema.

(Venezuela, 11 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A couple throws caution to the wind despite their better judgment and attempts to find a parking space at a popular Caracas destination. Their relationship is tested throughout their zany search for the perfect spot. La Novia Dir. Esteban Zabala (Costa Rica, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A taxi driver is tempted by the bizarre proposal a mysterious passenger makes, setting the stage for a moral duel of how far one will go for monetary gains.

Acalanto Dir. Arturo Soboia (Brazil, 23 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

An illiterate, elderly woman seeks to soothe the pain of her missing son by asking a close friend to read an old letter her son wrote to her many years ago. The two develop a tender friendship as they both become complicit in sharing hope that her son will be found. Aja Por Instinto Dir. Paulo de Tarso Disca (Brazil, 15 min., 2013, Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

A romantic comedy of errors in which several individuals living in the same apartment complex become entangled through a series of mishaps and misunderstandings. It all begins when Jorge vows to stay single, a promise challenged by the arrival of his beautiful new neighbor, Erica. Camionero Dir. Sebastían Miló (Cuba, 28 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A teenager attending a boarding school in Cuba during the 1970s suffers incessantly grotesque abuse from his peers, prompting one of his classmates to take a stance against the aggressors. Contains graphic violence.

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

short films DOCU-SHORTS

108 MIN., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 5:30 PM An assemblage of captivating, bold, and gorgeously rendered short documentaries from Latino filmmakers worldwide. ¡Adiós Padresitos! Dir. Javier Macipe

EN FAMILIA

88 MIN., SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 1:00 PM An array of captivating and imaginative short films that will thrill the entire family. These thoughtful films will transport you and your loved ones to diverse and fully realized animated and live-action worlds full of unforgettable adventures. Bitseller Dir. Juanma Sánchez Cervantes

(Ecuador/ Spain, 29 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A group of priests living in the Sucumbios Province of Ecuador, an area rich in petroleum, receive a letter from the Vatican asking them to vacate their posts immediately. A new order is put in their place who value “Tradition, Family, and Property” above everything else and are complicit in the destruction of the natural habitat for capitalistic gains. One of the priests who is initially asked to leave, begins a hunger strike in protest. Aún Nos Queda El Recuerdo Dir. Mariano Rentería Garnica (Mexico, 18 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A portrait of Morelia’s independent movie theaters of the past, the elderly individuals who reminisce fondly about them, and the local film enthusiasts fighting to keep the cult of cinema alive in an attempt to restore the city’s long-lost affinity for films. Hombres de Barro Dir. Luis Abraham González Roch

(Spain, 10 min., 2013, No Dialogue)

An old fashioned author must replace his antiquated typewriter with a modern laptop. What ensues is a battle between himself and a corrective “bit” inside the computer who tries to rectify the author’s constant errors. The Catch Dir. Alonso Alvarez Barreda (USA, 11 min., 2013, English)

A young boy makes a morally dubious choice during a church service that complicates his tenuous relationship with his father. Eideann Dir. Alvaro Granados (Spain, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Mexico, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A Scottish shepherd and a sheep from his flock become the accidental inventors of one of our favorite modern pastimes.

Don Pedro and Don Francisco are two local artisans from San Felipe, Guanajuato who look back upon more prosperous times. As they recall better days, they attempt to come to terms with being forgotten by a society that does not revere and prioritize pottery.

Flamingo Dir. Carl Zitelmann (Venezuela, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The Mayor Dir. Theo Rigby (USA, 11 min., 2013, English)

Paul Bridges, a Republican mayor in Georgia, takes a stance against harsh anti-immigrant laws as a result of his close ties with a family comprised of undocumented individuals. What results is a beautifully rendered examination on the constantly evolving definition of a “family unit” and its importance. Minerita Dir. Raúl De La Fuente (Bolivia/ Spain, 27 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Lucía, Ivone, and Abigail work as night watchwomen or inside the mines of Cerro Rico in Potosí, Bolivia. It is a lawless territory where the male miners feel entitled to have their way with the local females, after risking their lives working the mines day after day. The women struggle to survive their circumstances using the only two tools available to them: courage and dynamite.

A surrealist animated adventure about a child who must embark on a dream-like journey to overcome emotional obstacles. Through his travels, he encounters an array of characters and challenges that inspire him to develop a sunnier outlook on life. Galus Galus Dir. Clarissa Duque (Venezuela, 11 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A lonely drifter finds an egg and nurtures it until it hatches into a rooster. The two form an immediate bond and must navigate through various obstacles to stick together. A zany and vibrantly animated story about finding friendship in the unlikeliest of places. Lluvia en los Ojos Dir. Rita Basulto (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Sofia reminisces about the circumstances that led to her fractured arm. As she delves deeper into the experience, she realizes that her wildly active imagination can be used as a tool to overcome the painful memory. Pedro Pan Dir. Andrea Puente (USA, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Elena and Manuel are young siblings who flee Fidel Castro’s communist regime in Cuba as part of Operation Pedro Pan. Once in the United States, they are separated by circumstances outside of their control and must fight against all odds to reunite with one another.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

short films Project K-9 Dir. Francisco J. Cabrera, Alicia Esteban, Elsa Esteban, Juan A. Forero, Victoria González, Adrián Parra (Spain, 5 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A weapon of mass destruction- which takes its form as an adorable yellow dog- escapes from a maximum security military lab. The military launches an effort to capture this canine before he wreaks havoc on humanity.

Crossing South Dir. Steven Javitz (Mexico, 28 min., 2013, English)

A travel series which explores Tijuana and Northern Baja California. The host, Jorge Meraz, takes you beyond typical tourist traps to expose customs, places, and foods unknown to the typical visitor, revealing a beautiful cultural landscape that is oftentimes ignored. Debajo del Cuero Dir. Gabriel Arvizu Rodríguez

El Regreso del Vampiro Dir. Cristian Alain Vázquez Carrasco

(Mexico, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

(Mexico, 6 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A vampire awakens in the modern age after centuries of deep slumber in this animated short. He experiences an identity crisis, finding himself in a hostile territory where he is no longer considered a threat. Through attempts to find his place in the world, he finds an unexpected solution to reconcile and placate his inner turmoil. Sr. Barrientos - Fuera de Juego Dir. Kike Florido

A documentary highlighting a Tijuana bikers club and how one of its injured members is overcoming physical injuries caused by an accident, in order to get back on his motorcycle. El Día de San Juan Dir. Erika Torres (Mexico, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A man experiencing an identity crisis finds his purpose in life working as a museum security guard.

(Spain, 5 min., 2013, No Dialogue)

Mr. Barrientos, an innkeeper and soccer enthusiast, receives an enigmatic visitor during the stormy night of a big match. The unexpected guest turns the tranquil inn into a site of continuous and calamitous chaos, prompting Mr. Barrientos to go to extreme lengths to restore order. Un Día en Familia Dir. Pedro “Zulu” González (Mexico, 7 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A Sunday trip to the Bosque de Chapultepec fails to inspire happiness within the patriarch of a visiting family. However, a thoughtfully posed question forces him to find the source of his dejection, and engenders the beginning of a more positive outlook on life.

Skin Destination Dir. Adriana Trujillo (Mexico, 10 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

This short experimental film explores the state of emergency that exists in Mexico from the perspective of the body as an agent ,utilizing found footage film techniques. It reveals the precarious nature of establishing a consistent self-identity as a result of a changing political landscape and intricate border dynamics. Susan Dir. Norman Mackinnon (USA, 7 min., 2013, English)

Susan, a homeless woman living in San Diego, tries to rectify her relationship with her estranged son when she comes across the means to do so in this uplifting and inspiring short film. FRONTERA FILMMAKERS 107 MIN., MONDAY, MARCH 17, 6:00 PM Talented filmmakers in the San Diego/Tijuana border region share their vision of the world in these awe-inducing short narrative and documentary films. From a difficult decision regarding the health of a loved one, to an inside look at the chile industry in New Mexico, these films are sure to open your eyes to new experiences as captured by gifted local film artists. Adverso Dir. Rubén García (Mexico, 12 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A man struggling to provide for his paralyzed wife is driven to make a drastic decision regarding her care in an effort to end both of their suffering. The Chile Film (La Sangre Rojo Y Verde de Nuevo Mexico) Dir. Kelly Brinn Urig (USA, 25 min., 2013, English)

The Chile Pepper is the heart and soul of New Mexico. This is a documentary about the importance of the chile pepper in New Mexico, its history, its health benefits, and its effects on the farming industry.

HECHO EN USA 124 MIN., SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1:00 PM A collection of fantastic short films made by Latino filmmakers from the United States. Alta Exposición Dir. Cecilia Robles (USA, 27 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Morgana, a flight attendant with dreams of being a professional photographer, is tasked with a final assignment before being accepted to her first-choice visual arts school: she must take the perfect self-portrait. She draws upon several outlandish experiences - including encounters with a French trapeze artist and a Japanese bellboy studying Mexican cuisine- to concoct the perfect frame. The Earth, the Way I Left It Dir. Jeff Pinilla (USA, 17 min., 2013, English)

A death in the family leaves a child reeling from the traumatic event. A foreign visitor from the stars arrives serendipitously to remind the child about the power of imagination in this poignant short film about preserving youthful innocence. Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

short films Interstate Dir. Camille Stochitch (USA, 20 min., 2013, English)

Joaquin teaches undocumented individuals living is Los Angeles how to drive ,with the intention of taking them to Utah where they can acquire a driver’s license without a social security number. However, a Homeland Security Investigator’s inquiries into his business, force Joaquin to make a difficult decision that could have dire consequences for the undocumented drivers. A Late Man Dir. Fidel Ruiz-Healy (USA, 10 min., 2013, English)

Securitech Security Services get more than they bargained for when an eccentric individual, who may not be who he says he is, shows up for a job interview the company is extremely motivated to fill. Llegar A Ti Dir. Alejandro Torres Rezzio (USA, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

MÉXICO RARO Y QUERIDO

95 MIN., THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 6:00 PM A celebration of local short films from the San Diego/Tijuana border region. Estatuas Dir. Roberto Fiesco (Mexico, 17 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The unveiling of a statue honoring Emiliano Zapata becomes the site in which the demands of a struggling city are manifested through the commemorative speech delivered by a young boy. Inframundo Dir. Ana Mary Ramos (Mexico, 9 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

An idyllic landscape serves as the backdrop for a callous man’s journey as he fulfills ruthless tasks. A hapless misstep results in a cruel twist of fate, and he finds himself on the receiving end of the heartless actions he inflicted on others. Música Para Después de Dormir Dir. Nicolás Rojas Sanchez (Mexico, 12 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

José, a stubborn elderly man, makes the affecting decision to let go of his past in order to enter his life’s next chapter. By letting go, he soon realizes that he is brought closer to fulfilling his life’s remaining desire: to be reunited with his true love.

Fidencio, a retired violinist, sets off on a journey to reunite his old bandmates in order to greet his son who is visiting from a place far, far, away with their beautiful music.

La Loteria Dir. Shahir Daud (USA, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Augusto, a young man living in the Dominican Republic, has a stroke of luck and wins the U.S. Greencard Lottery. Despite his palpable excitement, the fortuitous event results in him having to make several difficult decisions about his relationship with his girlfriend. Retrograde Dir. Guy Lorey de Mola (USA, 20 min., 2013, English)

Susan invites John up for a nightcap after a successful date. Their incessant flirting implies a passionate night is in the cards. However, John produces a blinking device during a bathroom break that makes it perfectly clear he is not there for a one-night stand in this twisty, suspenseful, and surprising short film. Stone Cars Dir. Reinaldo Marcus Green (USA/ South Africa, 14 min., 2013, Xhosa w/ English subtitles)

April, a teen living in the dangerous Khayelitsha township, must make a decision about her sexuality when she learns her boyfriend is leaving to participate in a Xhosa rite of passage. The tradition, which enables the township’s boys to enter manhood, poses various life-threatening risks that may impede April’s boyfriend from ever returning.

Perdona Nuestras Ofensas Dir. Israel Ahumada (Mexico, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Edgar is obsessed with his neighbor and is eager to make his affection for her known. Before he can put his depraved plan of seduction in action, he must rid himself of the obstacle standing in his way: his mother. Príncipe Dir. Indra Villaseñor Amador (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A high school student who is eager to impress her friends goes on a date with a beautiful young model. Instead of being swept off her feet, she falls prey to her date’s predatory behavior, and is forced to question what price she has to pay to achieve the admiration of her peers. ¿Qué Es La Guerra? Dir. Luis Beltrán (Mexico, 10 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

In this animated short, a young girl named Marina finds herself stuck in a bomb shelter after a massive nuclear attack. As her anxiety begins to build, she becomes determined to vacate her confinement at all costs. Tras de Ti Dir. Josué Hermes (Mexico, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Lazlo loves Sirena, but she deceives him with Lazlo’s shadow in a short film about the dreams of those who love, who live in fear, and die for love. Contains graphic nudity. Velasco Dir. Mariana Gonzalez (Mexico, 16 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

When the owner of a liquor dynasty passes away, his surviving children begin feuding about what to do with the company. Greed becomes the main motivator as the youngest of the clan tries to convince his siblings to sell the company and reap the benefits.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

short films SPOTLIGHT SHORTS These superlative shorts will screen prior to a feature film. Estrela Radiante Dir. Fabiana Servilha (Brazil, 2013, 24 min., Portuguese w/ English subtitles)

A man from the countryside tries to unravel the mystery behind his friend’s bizarre physical reactions to a mysterious object that fell from the sky. Will precede the screening of AT MIDNIGHT I’LL TAKE YOUR SOUL on Friday, March 21, 10:30 PM. El Reloj Dir. Yolanda Cruz (Mexico, 7 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Every Sunday morning, a Zapotec Grandpa comes to the city of Oaxaca to visit his granddaughter for a day. Their ritual consists of attending mass and window-shopping throughout the city; but on this particular Sunday, things take a different turn when they pass by a booth selling watches. Will precede the screening of LAS MARTHAS on Saturday, March 22, 3:00 PM. Zero Hour Dir. Dan Carrillo Levy

She wants to forget about her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel. The procedure? Total obliteration of all physical and emotional memories of him. The result? Freedom. Dolores Dir. Tatiana Villacob Meléndez (Colombia, 13 min., 2012, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Dolores Salinas makes a living praying for the soldiers who have passed away fighting for conservative ideals during a civil war. Her belief system is challenged when she receives the body of her own son, a serviceman for the liberal faction of the battle. Gajes del Oficio Dir. Mariana Gironella (Mexico, 12 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

The day his daughter turns 15, a taxi driver decides to work a short shift as he makes his way around town picking up last minute supplies for the party. However, an unexpected passenger and an absurd turn of events may impede him from getting to his daughter’s Quinceañera on time. Hermanas Dir. Cristina Kotz Cornejo

(USA/Mexico, 7 min., 2013, English)

Paula and Lorenzo are two lovers traveling down a desolate desert road. An unexpected event prompts them to make a decision that may tear them apart forever. Written by Academy Award Nominee Guillermo Arriaga (Babel, 21 Grams, Amores Perros) and starring Jaime Camil and Camilla Belle. Will precede the screening of 200 CARTAS on Saturday, March 22, 8:00 PM.

¡VIVA MUJERES!

101 MIN., SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 1:00 PM A celebration of women filmmakers changing the landscape of cinema with their thought-provoking, unique, and necessary short films. Adán Dir. Paloma Martinez

(Mexico, 14 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

An unfortunate eviction causes further emotional turmoil between two sisters. As Lupe prepares for the big move, Luz uses this opportunity to go further down a selfdestructive path mitigated by her boyfriend. Lupe and Luz must learn to reconcile the judgment they have for one another if they hope to salvage their volatile relationship. Lula Dir. Vanessa Batista (Cuba, 8 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

A precocious 4 year old is aware the world around her is falling apart due to war. During a walk on the beach, she asks her mother, “What is war?” The answer unfolds poetically in this lyrically powerful short film.

(Mexico/USA, 18 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Adán is abducted by a Mexican cartel and is pushed to make his first kill as a young assassin. If he disobeys, he risks putting his family’s life in danger. Adán must decide whether to maintain his humanity intact or become a killer himself. Alianza Dir. Camilla Mantovani (Spain, 15 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Maribel returns home after her father’s funeral. There, she discovers secrets about him through her mother, making her question everything she knew about the man she so dearly loved. El Bosón de Higgs Dir. Cristina G. Molina (Spain, 10 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Carlos, a scientist who works with the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, finds a way to harness its powers in order to travel back in time to win his ex-girlfriend back after their breakup. Des(Pecho)Trucción Dir. María Ruiz (Venezuela, 11 min., 2013, Spanish w/ English subtitles)

Note: screening times & dates subject to change.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Film Index #

12 segundos – page 52 200 Cartas – page 52

Acalanto – page 75 Adán – page 79 ¡Adiós Padresitos! – page 76 Adverso – page 77 Aja Por Instinto – page 75 Alex Y Fabio Ya No Estan – page 74 Alianza – page 79 Alta Exposición – page 77 The Amazing Catfish – page 52 Amores Peligrosos – page 52 Antes de Palavras – page 74 Las analfabetas – page 52 Anina – page 52 At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul – page 53 Aún Nos Queda El Recuerdo – page 76 Avenues – page 53

Bajo El Último Techo – page 74 Besos de azucar – page 53 Bitseller – page 76 Bolaetrapo – page 53 El Bosón de Higgs – page 79

Camionero – page 75 El canaveral – page 68 Carreteras – page 74 Cásese quien pueda – page 53 El caso CocaCola – page 68 The Catch – page 76 Cesar’s Last Fast – page 68 Chateles del campo – page 68 The Chile Film (La Sangre Rojo y Verde de Nuevo Mexico) – page 77 Cidade cinza – page 68 El cielo es azul – page 53 A Colecao Invisivel – page 54 Cólera – page 75 Crossing South – page 77

Dame tus ojos – page 54 Debajo del Cuero – page 77 Democracia– page 74 Deseo – page 54 Des(Pecho)Trucción – page 79 Detained in the Desert – page 54 El Día De San Juan – page 77 Un Día en Familia – page 77 Los diosos rotos – page 54 Dolores – page 79 Don Ca – page 68 La Donna – page 75 Los duenos – page 54

The Earth, the Way I Left It – page 77 Eideann – page 76 Esclavo de Dios – page 55 Espacio Interior – page 55 La espera desespera – page 55 Estatuas – page 78 Esther en alguna parte – page 55 Esto no es una cita – page 55 Estrela Radiante – page 79

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Gajes del Oficio – page 79 Galus Galus – page 76 Gente Buena – page 75 Ghetto Klown – page 56 Guardame Puesto – page 75

Perdona Nuestras Ofensas – page 78 La piscina – page 60 Una pistola en cada mano – page 60 Polvo – page 61 Príncipe – page 78 Project K-9 – page 77 Prova de artista – page 69 Puerta de Hierro, el exilio de Peron – page 61 Purgatorio – page 69

Flamingo – page 76

Hacerse el sueco – page 56 Heli – page 56 Hermanas – page 79 Hombres De Barro – page 76 El Huaso – page 69

I Am From Chile – page 56 Inframundo – page 78 Interstate – page 78

La jaula de oro – page 57

A Late Man – page 78 Levantamuertos – page 57 Lisanka – page 57 La llamada – page 57 Llegar A Ti – page 78 La Loteria – page 78 Lluvia en Los Ojos – page 76 Lula – page 79

Margarita – page 57 Las mariposas de Sadourni – page 57 Matrimonio – page 58 Las marthas – page 69 The Mayor – page 76 Me late chocolate – page 58 Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America – page 69 Meu passado me condena: O Filme – page 58 Mi mejor regalo – page 58 Minerita – page 76 Mi Ojo Derecho – page 74 Minha Mae e uma peca – page 58 Música Para Despues de Dormir – page 78 My Sister’s Quinceanera – page 58

¿Qué Es La Guerra? – page 78 ¿Qué le dijiste a dios? – page 61 Quebranto – page 70

El Rastrillo Se Quiere Comprometer –page 75 El regreso – page 61 El Regreso del Vampiro – page 77 El Reloj – page 79 Retrograde – page 78 Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle – page 70 Roa – page 61

Serrat y sabina: El simbolo y el cuate – page 70 Sexo Explicito – page 75 Skin Destination – page 77 Sofia y el terco – page 61 Solo – page 62 Solsticio – page 74 Sombras de azul – page 62 Somos mari pepa – page 62 Sr. Barrientos, Fuera de Juego – page 77 Stand Clear of the Closing Doors – page 62 The State of Arizona – page 70 Stone Cars – page 78 Susan – page 77

Tercera llamada – page 62 Thesis on a Homicide – page 62 Tras de ti – page 78

Velasco – page 78 Viaje a Tombuctu – page 63 Violet – page 63 Viral – page 63 Voice Over – page 75

Ngutu – page 74 No sé si cortarme las venas o dejármelas largas – page 59 La Novia – page 75

Wade in the Water – page 75 Wakolda – page 63 Water & Power – page 63 Who is Dayani Cristal? – page 70

El Otro – page 74 O Pacote – page 74 O Ser Un Elefante – page 74

Yo, indocumentada – page 70 You’re Dead To Me – page 74

Zero Hour – page 79

Palabras magicas – page 69 Panico 5 Bravo – page 59 El Paseo 2 – page 59 La Partida – page 59 La paz – page 60 Pedro Pan – page 76 La pelicula de Ana – page 60 Peluquero Futbolero – page 74