LALIFF 2024 Digital Program Guide

See Hollywood
from all angles.
Discover comprehensive entertainment coverage that provides
transparency, amplifies silenced voices and showcases emerging
cultural trends. For just $1, LALIFF members and attendees get
6 months of unlimited digital access to the L.A. Times (then $4/week).
Visit latimes.com/laliff or
scan the QR code to subscribe.
Offer valid for new L.A. Times subscribers only.

THANK YOU TO OUR
2024 SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
PLATINUM SPONSOR
PREMIER SPONSOR
GRAND SPONSOR
LFI FELLOWSHIP SPONSORS
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
4

OFFICIAL SPONSORS
SUPPORTERS
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AltaMed
Andrea’s Healthy Kitchen
BECiNE
Cartuna
Chago Ahogadas
CNN en Español
Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles
El Pescador
eTech Rentals
Fever-Tree
Fotokem
Gilbert’s El Indio
Go Metro
MGM+
NGLmitú
Pernod Ricard
Poquito Más
Porto’s Bakery
ShortsTV
Silver Service Events
Sony Pictures Animation
Toon Boom
5

ESPN FILMS
joins the
LATINO FILM INSTITUTE
and the
LOS ANGELES LATINO
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
in celebrating the
2024 films and filmmakers
at this year's festival.
We join in celebrating the
incredible work of the
LATINO FILM INSTITUTE
and the
LOS ANGELES LATINO
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
We join in celebrating the
incredible work of the
LATINO FILM INSTITUTE
and the
LOS ANGELES LATINO
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.

LETTER
FOUNDER
FROM
THE
This year we kick off the 23rd edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film
Festival convinced, now more than ever, of the importance of our mission. We are
doubling our efforts to build a home for the Latino community in the entertainment
industry while remaining committed to excellence. Because that’s what our community
deserves: excellence! This is a place to celebrate the individual countries, flavors,
colors, languages and perspectives of Latinos in the US and abroad.
We must not get complacent, however. Our community faces two simultaneous
challenges: proper compensation and proper representation in front and behind the
camera. I promise you that the Latino Film Institute will continue to work tirelessly
to be part of the solution to both of these problems. At a time when our industry is
faced with the responsibility of evaluating our commitment to fair practices, LALIFF
is proud to offer a safe space for dialogue, connection, and the enjoyment of work by
filmmakers and artists of our community.
Enjoy LALIFF 2024. See you at the movies!
Edward James Olmos
Founder & Chairman of the Latino Film Institute (LFI)
7

HOW TO
EXPERIENCE
LALIFF
Dear Guests! Below you will find some important information regarding tickets and access to all
public LALIFF 2024 events. Please read them carefully to ensure you have the best experience. If
you have any questions you can contact us at boxoffice@latinofilm.org
Tickets are available for purchase online HERE and at the venue. If a screening appears as “sold
out”, don’t panic! We will have rush line access for last minute openings. (Subject to availability)!
TICKETS & PASSES
Tickets
Opening Night + Gala: $250
Closing Night Film + Reception: $150
Opening Night Film: $75
LALIFF Music (Live Performances): $25
Single Screening Ticket: $15
Passes
All Access Pass: $750
Industry Pass: $300
Student Pass: $100
BOX OFFICES
TCL Chinese Theater 6
Ovation Hollywood
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Regal Cinema L.A. LIVE
Stadium 14
1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Wednesday, May 29
Thursday, May 30
Friday, May 31
Saturday, June 1
Sunday, June 2
1:00PM - 3:00PM
5:30PM - 10:00PM
5:30PM - 10:00PM
11:00AM - 9:30PM
11:00AM - 5:30PM
Friday, May 31
Saturday, June 1
6:00PM - 10:30PM
4:00PM - 10:00PM
8

GO METRO TO LALIFF
Regal Cinema L.A. LIVE
Go Metro to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival at LA Live
by connecting to the A, B, D, E or J Line and exiting at 7th St / Metro
Center Station OR the A, E or J Line to Pico Station.
TCL CHINESE THEATRE
Go Metro to the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival at TCL
Chinese Theatre by connecting to the B Line and exiting Hollywood /
Highland Station.
PARKING
Parking at the Ovation Hollywood
Enter the underground parking garage from Highland Ave. in front of Loews Hollywood or
on Orange Court between Hollywood Blvd. and Franklin Ave.
Please contact the LADOT parking operator SP+ at (323) 468-0720 for questions, concerns, or
more information about this parking facility.
Parking Rates
$2.00 every 20 minutes; $6.00 every hour
Daily Maximum of $20.00
Enjoy up to 4 hours for $3 with validation from the TCL Chinese Theatre and the TCL Chinese Theatre
6. Regular parking rates apply thereafter.
Parking at Regal Cinema L.A. LIVE
Park in West Garage (Lot W) Gates E and F only. Located south of Olympic Blvd. at Georgia St. and
West Rd.
Enjoy up to 4 hours for $8 with Regal Cinemas with validation (must show proof of L.A. LIVE movie
ticket for the current day to receive validation and only one validation per vehicle).
West Garage (LOT , Gates E & F Only)
Lot W Parking Rates (with Regal L.A. LIVE validation only)
$8 for the first 4 hours (or fraction thereof)
$18 for the first 4 ½ hours (or fraction thereof)
$10 each additional ½ hour (or fraction thereof)
$40 daily maximum
Flat Rate:
$15 cars entering after 9PM and exiting before 4:30AM
9

OPENING
NIGHT
IN THE SUMMERS
ALESANDRA LACORAZZA USA 90 MIN. 2024
WEDNESDAY | MAY 29 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE IMAX THEATRE
Two sisters’ annual summer trek to their father’s home in Las Cruces, New Mexico takes
them on a journey of discovery spanning the formative years of their lives as they navigate
the highs and lows of their father’s loving but reckless world.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
In 2024, Alessandra Lacorazza’s feature debut In the Summers won Sundance
Film Festival’s Best Director and Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Dramatic Film. In
2020, she became a WGA-East and FilmNation NY Screenwriters Workshop
fellow. Alessandra’s short film "Mami" premiered at Palm Springs ShortFest
and her work has garnered the support of the Tribeca Film Festival Creators
Market, Future of Film is Female, and NYFA.
Alessandra is a queer Colombian American writer-director and owner of the
Meerkat Media Cooperative based in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where she directs,
produces, and edits artful videos for foundations, news magazines, publishers,
and non-profits.
10

WORLD PREMIERE
GRASSLAND
WILL BERMUDEZ & SAM FRIEDMAN USA 85 MIN. 2024
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE THEATER 1
CLOSING
NIGHT
Exploring the failures of the criminal justice system from a unique angle, Grassland follows
a single Latina mother whose illegal marijuana business is jeopardized when her young son
befriends their new neighbors.
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
William Bermudez is an Argentine American writer and director from Boston, now based
in Los Angeles. After making short films throughout his childhood, he earned a B.F.A. in
Film at Pratt Institute. His thesis and proof of concept short "Beneath the Grass" screened
at festivals across the country, won Jury Pick for best student film at NFFTY, and was
selected for streaming on NoBudge. Focusing on flawed characters dealing with intimate
relationships, he aims to bring empathy and understanding to every project he develops.
Sam Friedman is a Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer from Montclair,
New Jersey. His early experience with directing for television introduced him to
creative collaboration at a young age, only strengthening his ability to communicate
on set. Sam's passion for creating emotive visuals for writers and directors of various
backgrounds has led him to embrace themes of empathy and non-conformity. Sam
graduated from Pratt Institute in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film. In 2022,
he won Jury Pick and received Honorable Mention for best student film at NFFTY.
11

I S P R O U D T O
C O N T I N U E
O U R S U P P O R T O F
WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT,
CELEBRATE, AND WELCOME
THE LOS ANGELES LATINO
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
EGEDA US
IS THE US-BASED
IBEROAMERICAN
PRODUCERS
ASSOCIATION.
EGEDA US, as a major link between the Spanish film industry and the
North American and Latino film industries is proud to bring the best
of Ibero-American cinema to audiences in the United States. As the
premier association dedicated to promoting and protecting the
interests of Ibero-American audiovisual producers, we are
committed to showcasing the talent and creativity of our
filmmakers on the global stage.
Join us in celebrating the vibrant world of Ibero-American cinema
at our upcoming events and screenings. Follow us on social media
and stay tuned for updates! With EGEDA US, you'll discover the best
of Spanish cinema and more.
We invite you to share the news about your projects with us
Email us to: garlene.mendez@egeda.com
egedaus
www.egeda-us.com

FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEAT
ADDITIONAL
ABOUT 30 [ARTURO A LOS 30]
MARTIN SHANLY | ARGENTINA | 91 MIN. | 2023
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 8:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
PRESENTED WITH CHISPA | KARINA LOMELIN RIPPER | USA | 12 MIN. | 2024
Attending a former schoolmate’s wedding, Arturo escapes unharmed from a car accident between the church and the
reception. As guests react in various ways, the crash triggers a series of memories for Arturo, unfolding in flashback, of the
most significant events and people from his life.
ADDITIONAL
14
BIONICO'S BACHATA [LA BACHATA DE BIÓNICO]
YOEL MORALES | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 80 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
PRESENTED WITH WHY AM I LIKE THIS | ANDRES ROVIRA | USA | 19 MIN. | 2024
A raw vision of love in a hostile Caribbean city, Bionico’s Bachata follows a hopeless romantic, addicted to crack, who must
take control of his life if he wants to marry the woman he loves.

URES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES
ADDITIONAL
ALEMANIA
MARÍA ZANETTI | ARGENTINA, SPAIN | 87 MIN. | 2023
THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 6:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
PRESENTED WITH UNIÓN DE REYES | DANNY PINO | USA | 34 MIN. | 2023
Seeking relief from an unstable family dynamic, a teenage girl wants to take a school-study trip away from home for a
semester, in search of freedom and new experiences.
ADDITIONAL
BOCA CHICA
GABRIELLA A. MOSES | DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 97 MIN. | 2023
THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
At 12, Desi dreams of becoming a famous singer. But her goal is threatened by the insidious future that awaits some of
the girls in her town – a future that may be perpetuated by some of those closest to her. A story of courage, hope, and the
power of finding your own voice.
15

FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEAT
IGUALADA
JUAN MEJÍA BOTERO | COLOMBIA, MEXICO, USA | 81 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 9:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
PRESENTED WITH LUTHIER I CARLOS GONZÁLEZ PENAGOS I COLOMBIA I 12 MIN. I 2023
A powerful and moving feature documentary, Igualada shows how Black Colombian activist Francia Márquez transformed
the derogatory term "Igualada," into a symbol of rights defiance. Her presidential campaign inspires a nation to dream of
a more equitable future, challenging societal norms.
WORLD PREMIERE
16
PAPER BUTTERFLY [MARIPOSA DE PAPEL]
RAFAEL MEDINA ADALFIO | VENEZUELA, USA | 66 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 8PM | TCL CHINESE 3
A compelling documentary that intimately captures the lives of Andean farmers and their challenging journey to transport
agricultural goods to markets in central Venezuela.

URES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES
MEMORIES OF A BURNING BODY
[MEMORIAS DE UN CUERPO QUE ARDE]
ANTONELLA SUDASASSI FURNISS | COSTA RICA, SPAIN | 90 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 5:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
PRESENTED WITH RED ONION | IRIS ALMARAZ | USA | 10 MIN. | 2024
In an era of repressive taboos, three young women learned what it meant to be a woman through unspoken cultural rules.
Now, their fearless voices are joined in the body of a single, strong 65-year-old woman through whom their memories,
secrets and hidden desires are revisited.
POWER ALLEY [LEVANTE]
LILLAH HALLA | BRAZIL, FRANCE, URUGUAY | 99 MIN. | 2023
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 10PM | TCL CHINESE 3
In this poignant exploration of queer sisterhood and resilience sure to engage and inspire, a spirited teen volleyball
player confronts an unwanted pregnancy and is thrust into a battle for autonomy and identity in a society marked by
conservative norms.
17

FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEAT
WORLD PREMIERE
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
MABEL VALDIVIEZO | USA | 90 MIN. | 2024
THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 3
Respected filmmaker and artist Mabel Valdiviezo reunites with her family in Peru after 16 years of silence, confronting
haunting childhood memories and her troubled past as an undocumented immigrant in the United States.
WORLD PREMIERE
18
SISTERS
MAR NOVO | USA, MEXICO | 97 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
Three Mexican American sisters who have drifted apart embark on a pilgrimage through Mexico to honor their beloved
grandmother. While following her footsteps, they find themselves immersed in the magical culture and adventures with
colorful strangers.

URES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES
RAIN [LLUVIA]
RODRIGO GARCÍA SAIZ | MEXICO | 95 MIN. | 2023
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 1:45PM | TCL CHINESE 3
PRESENTED WITH BROTHERLY BLOOD | ALEJANDRA LÓPEZ | USA | 14 MIN. | 2024
Six artfully interwoven narratives explore the human condition, as various characters navigate the streets of Mexico City
against the backdrop of intermittent rain.
THE STRIKE
JOEBILL MUÑOZ & LUCAS GUILKEY | USA | 86 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 3
A feature documentary shedding light on a generation of men who endured decades of solitary confinement in the
notorious supermax prison Pelican Bay and, against all odds, launched the largest hunger strike in U.S. history.
19

FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES FEATURES
20
TOLL [PEDÁGIO]
CAROLINA MARKOWICZ | BRAZIL, PORTUGAL | 101 MIN. | 2023
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 4PM | TCL CHINESE 1
Suellen, a toll booth attendant, realizes she can use her job to raise some extra money illegally. But this is only for a socalled
noble cause: to send her son to an expensive gay conversion workshop led by a renowned foreign priest.
20
VALENTINA OR THE SERENITY
[VALENTINA O LA SERENIDAD]
ÁNGELES CRUZ | MEXICO | 86 MIN. | 2023
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 3PM | TCL CHINESE 4
PRESENTED WITH LA BRUJA | MANUEL VILLARREAL | USA | 13 MIN. | 2024
When Valentina loses her father in a river accident, she will not accept his death, and looks for him everywhere. Unsuccessful
at finding him, she soon retreats into loneliness. And as time passes, she slowly learns to accept his absence and overcome
her grief with the help of her family.

LALIFF
AN EXPANDED SHOWCASE
SPOTLIGHTING THE FILMS
OF L.A.-BASED FILMMAKERS,
EXCLUSIVELY AT REGAL LA LIVE!

LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EA
F.L.Y.
RAFAEL ALBARRÁN & TRENT KENDRICK | USA | 105 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
In this slice-of-life comedy, longtime exes Max and Rafael get stuck sharing a house during Covid lockdown, along with
Max’s new boyfriend, Hunter. Things get rocky as Max navigates the situation with Raf, who just moved to L.A. with a dream
of becoming the next drag superstar.
WORLD PREMIERE
22
THE UNEXPECTEDS
ALEJANDRO MONTOYA MARIN | USA | 90 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:45PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
Gary and his friends think they’ve hit the jackpot after investing all their savings in a charismatic influencer’s moneymaking
deal. But when it all turns out to be a scam, they are left with only the desire for revenge. Not only do they plan to
get their money back, but they also intend to expose the entire system that took advantage of them.

STSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE LALIFF EASTSIDE
WORLD PREMIERE
SAY A LITTLE PRAYER
PATRICK PEREZ VIDAURI | USA | 104 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 6:45PM | TCL CHINESE 6
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 4:30 PM I REGAL LA LIVE 13
Three best friends recite an ancient prayer to the patron saint of ‘all things lost’ to find their true loves, unleashing chaos
that tests their friendship.
US PREMIERE
THE WINGWALKER
ALONSO ALVAREZ-BARREDA | MEXICO | 117 MIN. | 2024
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 9:45PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
As his daughter faces a heart transplant, a young widower’s life takes an unexpected turn when a misdemeanor lands him
in jail, and he is deported. Facing impossible odds to reunite with his child, he orchestrates the boldest border crossing
plan in history in order to return to American soil and his daughter’s side.
23

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SHORTS

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
PRESENTED WITH
A FEATURE
US PREMIERE
CHISPA
KARINA LOMELIN RIPPER | USA | 12 MIN. | 2023
PRESENTED WITH ABOUT 30 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 8:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Peculiar events transpire at the mall after dark when a mall electrician undergoes a haunting transformation after a mysterious electrical
current brothers shocks witness her their system. parents' death and years later hunt down the killer to enact revenge.
US PREMIERE
LUTHIER
CARLOS GONZÁLEZ PENAGOS | COLOMBIA | 12 MIN. | 2023
PRESENTED WITH IGUALADA | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 10PM | TCL CHINESE 3
In the South American mountains, a reclusive luthier creates a mystical connection between nature and the musical instruments he
builds, and decides to revive the last red condor.
26
UNIÓN DE REYES
DANNY PINO | USA | 34 MIN. | 2023
PRESENTED WITH ALEMANIA | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 6:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
After his father suffers a heart attack, David discovers secrets from his father's past and is forced to confront his own blood-ties back to
his father's homeland, Cuba.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
WORLD PREMIERE
BROTHERLY BLOOD
ALEJANDRA LÓPEZ | USA | 14 MIN. | 2024
PRESENTED WITH RAIN | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 1:45PM | TCL CHINESE 3
Two step brothers witness their parents' death and years later hunt down the killer to enact revenge.
WORLD PREMIERE
LA BRUJA
MANUEL VILLARREAL | USA | 13 MIN. | 2024
PRESENTED WITH VALENTINA OR THE SERENITY | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 3PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Facing the loss of a family member compounded by an immigration raid, a boy and his Abuela navigate their grief, discovering hope in a
fairytale about a magical witch.
WORLD PREMIERE
RED ONION
IRIS ALMARAZ | USA | 10 MIN. | 2024
PRESENTED WITH MEMORIES OF A BURNING BODY | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 5:45PM | TCL CHINESE 4
As the layers of Red Onion unpeel, a racy story about a phone sex operator named Sasha transforms into a bittersweet exploration of
intimacy, death, and human connection.
WORLD PREMIERE
WHY AM I LIKE THIS
ANDRES ROVIRA | USA | 19 MIN. | 2024
PRESENTED WITH BIONICO'S BACHATA | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
Leni must hurdle through a tumultuous day, and the most irritating party in Los Angeles, as a life-altering deadline grows closer. But her
ADHD kicks into high gear and threatens to make her world implode.
27

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
UNHINGED
SHORTS PROGRAM 1
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
BUSINESS TRIP [VIAJE DE NEGOCIOS]
GERARDO COELLO ESCALANTE | MEXICO | 13 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
A gift from his father becomes the key to a terrible secret that ten-year-old Daniel must unravel.
DREAM CREEP
CARLOS A.F. LOPEZ | USA | 13 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
A couple awakens in the night to sounds emanating from an unlikely orifice.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
28
RE-ÉKSODOS
JULIA HORTA PAIVA | BRAZIL | 16 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
In that phase of life known as reincarnation, a soul decides that it wants to be reborn as a home and turns to the Grandmaster to ask for
his blessing, but the transition is more complicated than imagined.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
BORDER HOPPER
NICO CASAVECCHIA | USA, SPAIN | 14 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
When a Latinx filmmaker is offered a dream job abroad, she discovers a shortcut to navigate the U.S. immigration system and get the
coveted travel permit she needs. But what seems like a magic solution soon shows unexpected supernatural consequences.
COUSINS [PRIMOS]
RICARDO VARONA | PUERTO RICO | 22 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
During a teenage road trip to the west coast of Puerto Rico, sixteen-year-old Cristóbal begins to suspect that his crush, Yazmín, and cousin
Marcos are secretly seeing each other.
GROWN
ALFONSO MORGAN - TERRERO | USA | 10 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
In their mother’s absence, two Dominican brothers take her car out to get food one night in the Bronx, starting a chain reaction of events.
THE BULLFIGHTER
GISELLE BONILLA | USA | 16 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 1 | SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 9:15PM | TCL CHINESE 1
Ex-bullfighter Felipe Fernando de la Fernand gets a job as a flag-waving parking attendant to stage one last redemptive bullfight to reclaim
his honor.
29

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
SPACES/PLACES
SHORTS PROGRAM 2
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
GARDENS [JARDINES]
ALFREDO TORRES | USA, MEXICO | 24 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
While waiting in limbo at a Tijuana shelter, displaced LGBTQ+ folks hoping to find asylum in the United States offer support and healing to
one another as they process their heartbreak and joy.
WORLD PREMIERE
MEMORIA
STEVEN URIBE | USA | 10 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
The night before he leaves for college, a father and son’s last shift together at their small family restaurant turns deadly.
30
QUERIDO PEQUEÑO HAITI
DIANA LARREA | USA | 8 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
Experimental documentary “Querido Pequeño Haití” is a love letter that bids visual farewell to a disappearing neighborhood.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
DÍA DE LOS GUERREROS
SERGIO LIRA | USA | 15 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
Two Mexican-American best friends in inner-city Houston find themselves on a journey with the spirits of their indigenous ancestors as
one seeks to overcome the loss of his daughter and save his new bar from ghoulish gentrifiers.
LITTLE HAITI, MIAMI, USA
XF SERRANO | USA | 9 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
A Cuban woman ventures out into the Miami neighborhood of Little Haiti in order to solve the mystery of who the man appearing in one
of her son’s paintings is–and find him.
US PREMIERE
PRINT RESISTANCE [RESISTENCIA ROTULAR]
PAMELA FINK | MEXICO | 10 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
As the government tries to rid Mexico’s streets of graphic art, its funny, vibrant and colorful artistic identity is in danger of disappearing.
WORLD PREMIERE
SOME SARDINES [UNAS SARDINAS]
JULIA BEYER AGOSTINI | ARGENTINA, FRANCE | 18 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a misunderstanding transpires between a couple at dinner, their world takes an absurd turn.
31

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
THE WAVES CALL YOU [TE LLAMAN LAS OLAS]
ANA VERDE | USA, PUERTO RICO | 14 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 2 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 12:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a Puerto Rican seamstress faces financial problems, she ponders leaving her island home to live with her daughter in the
United States.
A BIRD CALLED MEMORY [PÁSSARO MEMÓRIA]
LEONARDO MARTINELLI | BRAZIL, UNITED KINGDOM | 15 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a bird named Memory forgets his way home, a trans woman searches for him in the streets–but the city can be a hostile place.
FIRST, I DREAM [PRIMERO, SUEÑO]
ANDRÉS LIRA | USA | 17 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
“First I Dream” delves into the lives of farmworkers in America, their experiences with migration, and the daily circumstances–including
exploitation and poverty– that come with living in the shadows as an undocumented laborer.
WORLD PREMIERE
32
LA BRUJA
JULIO RAMIREZ MARTINEZ | USA | 7 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a group of high school kids host a house party, they summon an evil force from a Mexican folktale as a joke. But the joke is on them
when evil finds–and haunts–them.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
OCASO
SHORTS PROGRAM 3
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
CARNÍVORA
FELIPE VARGAS | USA | 12 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When their mother vanishes, two estranged sisters are forced to become caretakers for their catatonic grandmother…only to realize that
Grandma isn’t Grandma at all.
IRON LUNG
ANDREW REID | USA | 12 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a storm knocks out the power, a polio survivor’s iron lung stops functioning–leaving her caretaker sister in a race against time to
save her life.
WORLD PREMIERE
VIRGENCITA
ANA ISABEL DOW | USA | 13 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
While living with her ailing Abuela after her mother’s death, six-year-old Lucía comes face-to- face with a powerful and insatiable deity
who grants wishes. Can Lucía find a way to satisfy the deity in order to be granted her own greatest wish?
33

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
US
ADDITIONAL
PREMIERE
VITANUOVA
NILES ATALLAH | CHILE, MEXICO, SPAIN | 13 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
When a message in an algorithmic bottle relates a story of extinction from the past to a clay humanoid in the present, troubling
times unfold.
NOSOTRAS
SHORTS PROGRAM 4
THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
ADDITIONAL
FANCY FLOREZ'S SUMMER STAYCATION
MARISSA DÍAZ | USA | 9 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 4 | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
Fancy Florez, a resourceful ten-year-old without friends or funds, sets out to enjoy a luxurious summer in her neighbor’s neglected pool,
but her game plan is thwarted by her archenemy from school.
ADDITIONAL
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
34
PATRON SAINT [PATRONA]
FANIE SOTO | MEXICO | 15 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 4 | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
When an older woman loses both her job and direction in life, she prays for a sign – and an unusual one appears in the shape of the
Virgin Mary.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
WORLD
ADDITIONAL
PREMIERE
VIVIR
GERARDO MARAVILLA | USA | 9 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 3 | SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 3:30PM | TCL CHINESE 6
In her darkest hour, a despairing Latina artist crosses paths with a mysterious immortal and faces the ultimate choice.
ADDITIONAL
DULCE
ALEYDA ORTIZ | USA | 4 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 4 | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
A mother tries to explain the concept of death to her curious young daughter.
ADDITIONAL
LOS MOSQUITOS
NICOLE CHI | USA, COSTA RICA | 14 MIN. | 2024
SHORTS PROGRAM 4 | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
When they move to the U.S., a fifteen-year-old Honduran teen and her younger cousin must forge new bonds in the community and their
daily lives as they learn to redefine their concept of family.
US PREMIERE
PRESSURE
CHE MARCHETI | BRAZIL | 2 MIN. | 2023
SHORTS PROGRAM 4 | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
When a woman who has held her feelings back for far too long reaches the breaking point, she must face the emotions that are brimming
to the surface and threaten to overflow.
35

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
SO THEY SAY [ASÍ DICEN]
NATALIA LUQUE | CHILE, USA | 18 MIN. | 2023
WOMEN STORIES SHORTS PROGRAM | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
When an aborted fetus is found floating in a lake, rumors spread like wildfire in a small Chilean town, and the search is on for the person
responsible.
WORLD PREMIERE
TRAILER [TRASH] MAGIC
ERIKA MIRANDA | USA | 15 MIN. | 2024
WOMEN STORIES SHORTS PROGRAM | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
Born into a family of Mexican-American witches living in a trailer park in Georgia, nine-year-old Fox dreams of becoming a Baptist preacher.
The only problem is, she might just be the most powerful sorceress of them all.
ANÍM
ANIMATED SHO
FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7P
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
36
AVEL
DANIEL MARIN | ARGENTINA | 9 MIN. | 2024
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
ADDITIONAL
When Avel takes down his bird's cage and sets off on his motorcycle towards the hill, the wind sings through the cage bars, and a journey
through time begins that returns us to the purest notion of freedom.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
WORLD PREMIERE
THE INTERPRETER [LA INTÉRPRETE]
SOFÍA ROVALETTI | ARGENTINA, USA | 12 MIN. | 2024
WOMEN STORIES SHORTS PROGRAM | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
As the hospital interpreter, Maria attentively translates various conversations, but will soon receive one call she will never forget.
YAYA
LETICIA AKEL ESCÁRATE | CHILE | 20 MIN. | 2023
WOMEN STORIES SHORTS PROGRAM | THURSDAY | MAY 30 | 9:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
A young woman with Down syndrome forms an unlikely friendship with a rebellious teenager who suggests they get tattoos.
ATE
RTS PROGRAM
M | TCL CHINESE 4
INTERMITTENCE [INTERMITENCIA]
ANA SOFÍA NAVIA LÓPEZ | USA | 2 MIN. | 2023
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Director Ana Sofia Navia Lopez combines rotoscope and family videos as if they were her own, blurry and intermittent recollections of
her father, who died tragically when she was fourteen, with audio from one of their many driving lessons in which he expresses his fear
of death.
37

ORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHO
NYANGA
MEDHIN TEWOLDE SERRANO | MEXICO | 20 MIN. | 2023
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Based on historical fact, “Nyanga” tells the story of Nyanga, who was kidnapped off the coast of Africa during the colonial era, brought to
Mexico, and although enslaved, never stopped dreaming of freedom.
STRASS
JULIÁN LASSA ORTIZ | ARGENTINA | 8 MIN. | 2023
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
After surviving a street attack,Tomás and his boyfriend find safe shelter only to be confronted by a mysterious shadow.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
THE STRANGE CASE OF THE HUMAN CANNONBALL
[EL EXTRAÑO CASO DEL HOMBRE BALA]
ROBERTO VALENCIA (BETO VAL) | ECUADOR | 10 MIN. | 2023
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
When a mysterious man is found unconscious in a village square inhabited by only six residents, his life and his future is in their hands.
US PREMIERE
38
TWO LESS [DOS MENOS]
TAROA ZÚÑIGA SILVA & CARLOS ZERPA | CHILE, VENEZUELA | 9 MIN. | 2024
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Two young migrant women die in obscure circumstances involving repressive entities from the Chilean state.

RTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS SHORTS
REMEMBER US
PABLO LEON | USA, COLOMBIA | 14 MIN. | 2024
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
A journalist documents the experiences of three different people who lived through the tragic Salvadoran Civil War in the 1980s.
WORLD PREMIERE
THE OTHER SIDE
NIKI LÓPEZ | USA | 9 MIN. | 2022
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Equal parts thrills and chills, “The Other Side” is a spooky horror-comedy set in the forgotten coves and catacombs of the haunted
Caribbean where two best friends are thrust into a world of monsters and mayhem to battle a dark force unleashed on their island town.
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
TRUMPET VOICE [VOZ DE TROMPETA]
PILAR SMOJE GUEICO & DAVID MONARTE SERNA | CHILE | 12 MIN. | 2023
ANIMATED SHORTS PROGRAM | FRIDAY | MAY 31 | 7PM | TCL CHINESE 4
Unable to communicate with the world except through music, a fifty year old trumpeter battles his inner demons, who force him to face
his memories – and deepest fears – or lose his trumpet forever.
39

EPISO
EPISODIC SHOR
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7
WORLD PREMIERE
LAS AMAZONAS DE YAXUNAH
ALFONSO ALGARA | MEXICO, USA | 52 MIN. | 2024
SUNDAY | JUNE 2 | 4:30PM | TCL CHINESE 3
A powerful and moving feature documentary, Igualada shows how Black Colombian activist Francia Márquez transformed
the derogatory term "Igualada," into a symbol of rights defiance. Her presidential campaign inspires a nation to dream of
a more equitable future, challenging societal norms.
WORLD PREMIERE
DREAMS & SCHEMES
DANIEL FERMÍN PFEFFER AND CARLOS CARDONA | USA | 19 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
When a message in an algorithmic bottle relates a story of extinction from the past to a clay humanoid in the present, troubling
times unfold.
40
THE LAND
ANDRÉS ORELLANA & BRITTANY ANDERS ESPARZA | USA | 25 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
A young woman with Down syndrome forms an unlikely friendship with a rebellious teenager who suggests they get tattoos.

DICS
US PREMIERE
REY MYSTERIO VS THE DARKNESS
CALAVERA HERMANOS | MEXICO | 90 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 1:15PM | TCL CHINESE 3
The greatest hero of earth chooses his biggest fan to become his new sidekick.
TS PROGRAM
PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
WORLD ADDITIONAL PREMIERE
GRINGO LATINO
ERIC DELGADO | USA | 29 MIN. | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
In her darkest hour, a despairing Latina artist crosses paths with a mysterious immortal and faces the ultimate choice.
VIDA
MARIA VALDEZ | USA | 21 MIN. | 2023
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 | 7PM | REGAL LA LIVE 13
Leni must hurdle through a tumultuous day, and the most irritating party in Los Angeles, as a life-altering deadline grows closer. But her
ADHD kicks into high gear and threatens to make her world implode.
41

SPECIAL SC
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LATINO FILM INSTITUTE
Join us to celebrate the the second year of the mitú x Walmart Filmmaker Mentorship
Program! The mission of the program is to provide a platform and resources for rising
Latino filmmakers to help amplify the stories of our community.
FRIDAY I MAY 31 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 3
1. "AGUA MADRE", DIRECTED BY SOFIA AYERDI
2. "PICK ONE", DIRECTED BY MATHEW SERRANO
3. "THE HUMMINGBIRD", DIRECTED BY MANUEL VILLAREAL
4. "NANA CARMEN", DIRECTED BY KARLA GUTIERREZ"
42

REENINGS
INCLUSION FELLOWSHIP
DEAR DIABLO
AMBAR NAVARRO
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
When an angsty pre-teen Lupe is forced into a belated baptism,
she remains staunchly true to her punk roots, confronting eerie
church hallucinations and the Devil himself.
FIAT LUX 5000
DANIEL EDUVIJES CARRERA
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Devoted son Manuel Espinoza grapples with the challenges of
caring for his dementia-afflicted father while navigating the
complexities of his own life and gay relationship.
GRANADA
GIANFRANCO FERNÁNDEZ-RUIZ
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
After an extinct fruit miraculously grows en masse in her backyard,
Zoila wages war and uproots a deeply unsettled history.
KUSI SMILES [KUSI SONRIE]
SISA QUISPE
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Unable to sing since her mother passed away, Kusi, a Quechua
teenager, joins a traditional family celebration in the Andes and
embarks on a path of healing among sisterhood, community, and
connecting with the land.
QUEEN OF SAMBA
STACY PASCAL GASPARD | USA | 2024
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Andres, disengaged and apathetic, finds himself in a physical
altercation during school.
43

RAT [RATA]
GISELLE BONILLA
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
A tenant releases a rat from its trap, unleashing chaos in her
apartment complex.
SHOW ME HOW TO DIE
[ENSÉÑAME COMO MORIR]
GERARDO MARAVILLA
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
After her grandmother passed away, a grieving woman becomes
fascinated with the idea of learning what it feels like to die,
believing it will allow her to feel close to her grandma in death in a
way she never felt in life.
SOY YO
LAUREN BALLESTEROS
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
A day in the life of a feisty free spirited artist who helps her
awkward teenage granddaughter find her "chingona" magic and
live a life of no regret.
THE MAN WITH A BUFFALO HEAD
ERIC ARMANDO IBARRA
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
In a border town, cousins Moi and Gabby find themselves stranded
in the woods, where they encounter a kind hearted shape-shifting
Buffalo Man, forcing them to confront their grief and reconcile
their friendship.
THE VOTE
SYLVIA RAY
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Siblings Jessica and Robbie face the heart-wrenching choice to
keep their mother on life support or let her go, sparking a tense
family vote.
TRENDING
FELIX MARTIZ
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Andres, disengaged and apathetic, finds himself in a physical
altercation during school. When his older brother intervenes to
protect him, Andres chooses to document the brutality on his
phone.
44

SPARK ANIMATION FELLOWSHIP
MARVELOUS GIFT
DANNA GALEANO
FRIDAY | MAY 31 I 7PM I TCL CHINESE 4
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 6:30PM I TCL CHINESE 1
In a world where humanity has gained the gift of eternal life,
‘Marvelous Gift’ invites you on a journey where fatal accidents
aren’t fatal and aging never ceases. Dive into the paradox of
immortality and explore the raw reality of life when the end is
taken off the table.
POLLO PUNCH
ALEC CASTILLO
FRIDAY | MAY 31 I 7PM I TCL CHINESE 4
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
A narcoleptic pet rooster, Yunian, never wakes up on time because
he’s too busy dreaming of being the greatest boxer of all-time.
But when he and his owner fall into tough times, he’ll finally get
his chance to step into the ring.
ROOTS
SANDRA SUAREZ
FRIDAY | MAY 31 I 7PM I TCL CHINESE 4
SATURDAY | JUNE 1 I 4PM I TCL CHINESE 1
Afraid of losing her one and only friend, a young woman hides her
hair-pulling disorder and gets help from her cat to accept herself
as she is.
YCP ALUMNI FELLOWSHIP
LOST MEMORIES
THURSDAY | MAY 30 I 7PM I TCL CHINESE 5
In a dystopian future where all memories have been taken, a sister
and brother must work together to discover their true history
before they’re caught by the state.
45

LALIFF INDUSTRY
FORUM

VISUAL STORYTELLING MASTERCLASS
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo
Interactive Webinar Experience
May 29 - May 31 | 10am - 1pm
Learn visual storytelling from your favorite Latino filmmakers! In this 3-part interactive workshop series,
you'll uncover actionable techniques to create your own cinematic images.
NAVIGATING FILM DISTRIBUTION
MASTERCLASS
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo
Interactive Webinar Experience
May 29 - May 31 | 10am - 1pm
Find strategic insights and hands-on tools to succeed in the complex distribution and marketing landscape.
47

THURSDAY | MAY 30
CAFECITO CON DIANA SANCHEZ:
PLANNING YOUR
FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGY
10am | Filmmaker’s Lounge - TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
WIth over 25 years of experience in working and programming for some of the largest film festivals in Canada and
Latin America, programming veteran Diana Sanchez knows the ins and outs of the festival circuit. Join her for an
intimate conversation on leveraging and making the most of your festival strategy.
THE ARTISTRY BELOW-THE-LINE
Presented by Starz | 1:15pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
A dynamic discussion designed to shed light on the creative contributions of below the line artists across film and TV.
REPRESENTING LATINO STORYTELLERS
Presented by UTA | 1:15pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
Join UTA agents and executives for a discussion on their strategy working and elevating Latino storytellers.
Moderated by Jairo Alvarado, co-founder, Redefine Entertainment
HOTEL COCAINE: CLIPS AND CONVERSATION
Presented by MGM+ | 2:30pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
An exclusive panel with the stars of the highly anticipated show “Hotel Cocaine". Danny Pino, Michael Chiklis,
Mark Feuerstein, and Laura Gordon will delve into the making of the gripping story of Roman Compte, a Cuban exile
managing The Mutiny Hotel during the tumultuous Miami cocaine scene of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
48

FRIDAY | MAY 31
CAFECITO CON ANTHONY NARDOLILLO:
MAKING YOUR FIRST FEATURE
10am | Filmmaker’s Lounge - TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Join us for a laid-back and insightful panel discussion on how to make your first live action feature film with Anthony
Nardolillo whose feature film 7th & Union was LALIFF’s opening night film in 2021.
CAFECITO: MEET THE ANIMATION RECRUITERS
10am | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
Kickstart your day at the Meet the Recruiters Cafecito networking event, where you'll have the chance to connect
and engage with top recruiters from leading animation studios.
CAREER JOURNEYS
with Walt Disney Animation Studios | 11:30am | Cinegrill-The Hollywood Roosevelt
Join Erika Becerra and Matt Roberts, Senior Recruiters at Walt Disney Animation Studios, for an insider's perspective
on the different jobs in animation production, how to apply for them, and top tips for breaking into the industry.
LAS PRODUCTORAS PANEL
11:30am | Filmmaker’s Lounge - TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Don’t miss the chance to hear from a panel of producers who are making waves and cementing their legacy through
their work. Discover their unique creative approaches, visions and the valuable insights they have to offer.
“THE SPIDER WITHIN: A SPIDER–VERSE STORY” PANEL
Presented by Sony Pictures Animation | 1:15pm | Cinegrill-The Hollywood Roosevelt
Join Jarelle Dampier (director) and Khaila Amazan (writer), for a screening of their short, “The Spider Within: A
Spider–Verse Story” and a Q&A moderated by Michelle Raimo Kouyate, LENS program creator and producer.
THE CASAGRANDES MOVIE TALK
Presented by Nickelodeon | 2:30pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
The creative team behind Nickelodeon Animation’s “The Casagrandes Movie” will discuss how they produced the
feature film from the hit animated series.
49

SATURDAY | JUNE 1
CAFECITO CON IVETTE RODRIGUEZ:
MARKETING YOUR FILM
10am | Filmmaker’s Lounge - TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
You’ve made the movie, but what comes next? Join PR expert Ivette Rodriguez for a casual conversation around
marketing and positioning your film in today’s competitive digital market.
BEYOND INFLUENCE: SOCIAL MEDIA AS
A PRACTICAL TOOL FOR FILMMAKERS
11:30am | Cinegrill @ The Roosevelt Hotel
Everyone understands trends, hashtags and influencers, but, how can filmmakers use social media to help develop
projects from the ground up? Join Buzzfeed’s ‘Pero Talk’ team, Alex Canales, Monica Moore Suriyage and Carolina
Reynoso for a live-taping of their video podcast as they chat more about social media as a tool for filmmaking.
LAS DPs PANEL
1:15pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
Be a part of a panel where you'll meet and hear from top Latina (DPs) in both film and television. These groundbreaking
experts will share their own stories, providing valuable insights into their careers, the tools they use, and how they
craft their unique visual styles.
EL ARTE DEL PITCHEO
Presented by ESPN Films | 2:30pm | Cinegrill - The Hollywood Roosevelt
The “Art of the Pitch” panel will offer an in-depth discussion on developing and pitching a documentary feature or
series. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear directly from ESPN executives what they look for in a pitch, their
tips on how to find a project's essence, its ideal format, and on how to craft surprising new angles to familiar stories.
50

OPENING NIGHT GALA
Wednesday | May 29 | 9pm | The Hollywood Roosevelt
EL HARU KUROI
NUEVA TROPICALIA | EAST LOS ANGELES, CA
El Haru Kuroi, is an East Los Angeles trio drawing their original musical
style from their own experiences with life and music from which they
are surrounded. Natives to Los Angeles’ Eastside, their music not only
is a representation of their cultural upbringing in the city, but also a
reminiscence of Mexican, South American, African, and American Jazz
elements. After meeting in music school, they have evolved together and
persisted in the creation of an original musical sound, resulting in the
making of three full length albums Sabung (2007), Canta Gallo (2012) and
their latest 192192192 (2016), which combines distinct melodic, rhythmic
and multilingual elements, resulting as a key ingredient for their sound.
El Haru Kuroi has performed throughout the LA area and toured the
Southwest to New Orleans, the East Coast and toured twice to Japan. Since
the pandemic a single and a music video to go with it of All the Change
was developed and released in 2021. With an alternating bassist, El Haru
Kuroi is continuing to create new music and will be releasing a long awaited
album in the coming year.
¿QIENSAVE?
CUMBIA URBANA | SALINAS, CA
¿Qiensave? is a dynamic Cumbia Urbana group from Salinas, California,
rooted in Michoacán, Mexico. Their music blends traditional cumbia
rhythms with urban vibes, enchanting audiences in California, Arizona,
Mexico, and Colombia since their start in 2009.
¿Qiensave? is an uptempo, high-energy, performance-driven band with
a fun presence on stage. Their sound "Cumbia Urbana" is a blend of the
classic Mexican Cumbia their parents listened to, combined with modern
sounds that influenced them like rock, reggae, hip hop, and more.
DJ ELÉANORA
MÚSICA TROPICAL/GLOBAL BASS | LOS ANGELES, CA
Introducing DJ Eléanora, crate digger, music curator and event organizer,
with a vision to revolutionize the music scene by creating safe spaces for
women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA communities. With a passion for inclusivity
and a knack for curating an eclectic and tropical atmosphere, Eléanora
is the beating heart of a movement that celebrates diversity and unity
through the power of music.
As the co-founder of La Papaya Club, DJ Eléanora is spearheading a
movement that fuses exceptional music with a greater purpose. La Papaya
Club is a collective that throws parties for a cause, collaborating with an
array of non-profit organizations locally in Los Angeles and throughout
Latin America.
52

THURSDAY MAY 30 | 9PM | CINEGRILL - THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT
INTROVERTED FUNK
NEO FUNK, DISCO, R&B | LOS ANGELES, CA
Introverted Funk is the brainchild of Vero and Pb, a dynamic duo blending retro-inspired sounds with a modern twist. Drawing
from funk, R&B, disco, and house influences, their music transports listeners to a nostalgic yet contemporary sonic landscape.
With their debut EP, "Out of Pocket," released last year, Introverted Funk showcased their unique blend of groovy beats and soulful
melodies, earning praise for their innovative approach to music production.
Pb's multi-instrumental prowess shines through in the production, seamlessly weaving together intricate layers of sound, while
Vero's soothing and soulful vocals add depth and emotion to each track. Together, they create a captivating musical experience
that invites audiences to dance, reflect, and lose themselves in the infectious rhythms of Introverted Funk. With a shared passion
for pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories, Vero and Pb continue to captivate audiences with their infectious
energy and undeniable talent.
ARIEL
POP | LOS ANGELES, CA
ARIEL is a Mexican artist from Los Angeles, CA. Known for his ability to create vibrant
and captivating anthems that exude a sense of nostalgia, ARIEL draws inspiration
from the rich sounds of his motherland. ARIEL (f.k.a Ariel & The Culture), has been
making waves in the music scene since 2017.
ARIEL's breakthrough came when his single "Dame Tu Amor" gained significant
traction on the popular platform, TikTok, garnering millions of plays across various
streaming platforms thanks to write-ups in Bandcamp, Remezcla, NPR's Alt.Latino,
and more. This newfound exposure propelled ARIEL into the spotlight, elevating him
from local club performances to sold-out shows and coveted opportunities to share
stages with renowned acts like Boy Pablo, Inner Wave, Girl Ultra, and many others.
CHRISOL
HOUSE, DISCO, REGGAETÓN | LOS ANGELES, CA
When not performing with a microphone you can find singer/songrwriter Chrisol
playing dynamic DJ sets all across Los Angeles under the moniker "DJ Gouda"
She spins an open format set that coalesces all of her favorite genres like House,
Disco, Reggaetón and beyond.
53

FRIDAY MAY 31 | 9PM | CINEGRILL - THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT
MILPA
TROPICAL, FOLKLORIC, PSYCHEDELIC | INLAND EMPIRE, CA
(Music inspiration Life Poetry Art)
is a collective of songwriters, multi-instrumentalist, poets, and OG homies from the Inland Empire. Influenced by the community’s
beautiful culture and a product of the native vibes of Southern California. MiLPA’s sound blends rhythms from Mexico, Brazil,
Peru, Colombia, and beyond. The group consist of Agua the blue dear, Eddie iron hands, Ivan the lazy limb, Mil Crystales, Nico the
masked spirit, David Dirty Quintero, and America la voz de fuego. Together they love creating Music Inspiration Life Poetry Art.
Milpa pa' la gente
QUILO
TROPICAL, AFRO-LATIN | INLAND EMPIRE, CA
Eduardo Valencia, from San Bernardino, California, is a vibrant percussionist,
producer, teaching artist, and DJ. Specializing in tropical and Afro-Latin music, he cofounded
the bands Quitapenas and Yanga and collaborates with Milpa and LA-based
Buyepongo. As a cultural ambassador for the State Department, he has toured China,
Azerbaijan, and Equatorial Guinea, and he’s an alum of OneBeat with residencies in
the US and Russia.
At KUCR 88.3 FM in Riverside, Eduardo hosts a show spotlighting Afro-Latin diasporic
music. In 2020, he co-founded La Papaya Club, a DJ collective uplifting Afro-
Indigenous voices. In 2023, he co-founded Mucho Gusto, "a music festival without
borders." Eduardo also teaches diasporic drumming in California state prisons,
working with incarcerated adults and juveniles.
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SATURDAY JUNE 1 | 9PM | CINEGRILL - THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT
J GÜERO
ELECTROPICAL | SANTIAGO, CHILE
J Güero is a latin electronica project founded by LA based chilean producer Juan Covarrubias.
With 2 EPs and 3 singles released since its foundation in 2019, the project has collaborated with artists such as rock en español
legend Enrique Bunbury, theremin superstar Carolina Eyck, and taiko group Asano Taiko Ensemble, among others.
J Güero first EP “Wired Sessions Vol.1” was featured in Rolling Stones Magazine and opened the door for various festivals like
Ruido Fest and SXSW 2022.
J Güero’s new album “Wired Sessions Vol.2” (to be released at the end of the year) is full of latino energy, world beats and
psychedelic electronica.
LAS CHIKAS
SALSA | LOS ANGELES, CA
"Viva las MUJERES! Las Chikas is comprised of some of the most talented female
musicians in the Southland. Salsa never looked so good in the City of Angels, a melting
pot of cultures and ethnicity come together to give birth to a multicultural female
band that sets the stage on fire! Starting from humble beginnings in restaurants and
clubs, Las Chikas have impressed and captivated audiences throughout California
for , including the San Jose Jazz Festival, LACMA/ Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles, WeHo
Summer Sounds, Dodgers and Angels Stadiums and several casinos, theaters &
community events.”
JULICIO
HIP-HOP, ELECTRONIC, LATIN | LOS ANGELES, CA
For almost two decades, DJ Julicio has scratched, spun and pulsated his way across
clubs, hotels, bars, and festivals around the world. A night of beats crafted and
curated by DJ Julicio is a journey into the beauty and power of music.
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CLOSING NIGHT
PARTY
Sunday | June 2 | 9pm | The Hollywood Roosevelt
WACHIWARA
CUMBIA | LOS ANGELES, CA
Wachiwara is a vibrant musical ensemble hailing from the diverse cultural landscape of Los Angeles. Infused with the rhythms
of Colombian Cumbia and the psychedelic sounds of Peruvian chicha, Wachiwara delivers a unique and exhilarating musical
experience. Their fusion of traditional Latin American melodies with modern elements creates an infectious energy that captivates
audiences worldwide. With roots deeply embedded in the rich musical traditions of South America, Wachiwara’s dynamic
performances transcend borders, inviting listeners on a rhythmic journey that celebrates the universal language of music.
JOSÉ GALVÁN
CUMBIA, ROCK, ELECTRONICA | LOS ANGELES, CA
José Galván began DJ-ing in 2008 while working as an On-Air personality
at Indie 103.1fm, leveraging his experience producing The Crystal Method's
radio show and using their gear. His deep-rooted passion for music
spans from playing cello in a community orchestra to roles in college and
commercial radio, including positions at USC's student station and KROQ.
He has toured globally as a Tour Manager for Carla Morrison and DJ Z-Trip,
gaining firsthand exposure to top DJs. With a solid foundation in music
theory and extensive new music listening, he has become a skilled DJ,
holding residencies in LA and performing at Coachella in 2017. Currently,
he hosts a show on KCRW and curates the Pan Caliente feature, premiering
new indie music.
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AWARDS
In 2024 LALIFF
brings the following awards:
BEST US LATINO LIVE ACTION SHORT AWARD
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo
This award will be decided by a Jury panel, and granted to the director and the Producer
(based on the “Produced By” credit). It comes with a $4000 USD cash price.
BEST US LATINA DIRECTOR OF A
LIVE ACTION SHORT
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo
This award will be decided by a Jury panel and granted to the director. It comes with a
$4000 USD cash price.
BEST US LATINO ANIMATED SHORT AWARD
Presented by LXiA with the Support of Cartuna
This award will be decided by a Jury panel, and granted to the director and the Producer
(based on the “Produced By” credit). It comes with a $4000 USD cash price.
BEST US EPISODIC SHORT AWARD
Presented by FX
This award will be decided by a Jury panel and granted to the creator. It comes with a
$4,000 USD cash price.
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JURY
LIVE ACTION SHORTS
Pete Corona
Development Executive
Francis Román
Senior Film & TV Festival
Programming Manager at SXSW
Amanda Ross
Director of Strategy and
Analytics at NBCU TV, DEI
ANIMATED SHORTS
Sydney Bright
Head of Global Animation at
Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
Louis Gonzalez
Animator
Angeline Izquierdo
Creative Director
EPISODIC SHORTS
Shola Ajewole
Senior Vice President of Creative
and Cultural Diversity for FX and
FX Productions
Lynette Coll
Co-Founder and Chief Creative
Officer of The Rabble
Anthony Nardolillo
Award-winning Film and
Television Director and Producer
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THANK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING
LATINO VOICES AT
THE 23RD EDITION
OF LALIFF!