Returning to The Bronx, the Festival will kick-off this year’s Latino Heritage Month festivities with drive-in, in-person and virtual experiences.
The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF), the nation’s premier Latino film festival returns to The Bronx (100 East 151st Street, The Bronx, NY) from September 14 to 19, 2021 with an impressive roster of 102 films from more than 12 countries, the largest number of films to date. NYLFF’s opening night, presented by the Motion Picture Association, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the film Raising Victor Vargas (2002, 88 min., USA), featuring screening and cast reunion.
The New York Latino Film Festival is the premier Urban Latino film event in the country. Founded by Calixto Chinchilla in 1999, it aims to produce culturally relevant and entertaining experiences that build audiences for Latino cinema, support the film community with professional development and foster relationships for Latino talent. Programming includes the flagship film festival in New York City, competition programs and community programs.
“Diversity and inclusion remain at the forefront of NYLFF’s mission. For more than 20 years, we have demonstrated the importance of these values through the renowned festival, the Futuro Digital Conference, our marketing agency, and other partnerships that have offered a critical platform for Latino talent and filmmakers. Gracias to WarnerMedia and our many partners who, year after year, have demonstrated their support for stories by us and for us,” said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder of NYLFF.
Festival Highlights
The week-long festival will feature a mix of virtual screenings and in-person viewings, showcasing some of the best Latino talent in film.
“We are proud to support this year’s return of the NY Latino Film Festival to the Bronx, home to NYC’s largest population of Latinos,” said the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. “This celebration of cinema showcases the broad diversity of stories and talent from the Latino filmmaking community.”
The closing night film, straight from its World Premiere at The Toronto Film Festival, La Soga 2, (2021, 92 min., USA) the highly anticipated sequel written and directed by Manny Perez makes its U.S. premiere at the festival. Former hitman La Soga (Manny Perez), fights to rescue the love of his life while confronting his inner demons and violent past that keep calling him.
Making its world premiere, All the World is Sleeping (2021, 111 min., USA), directed by Ryan Lacen, and starring Melissa Barrera (In the Heights) & Jackie Cruz (Orange Is the New Black). A Chicana in New Mexico sinks deeper into her addiction in this unique, cerebral, and chaotic view of the growing drug epidemic.
Samland (2021, 87 min., USA) written and directed by Juan Pablo Reyes, finds a man and woman and love in the oddest of places on their journey to find the ever-elusive “American Dream.” John Leguizamo returns to NYLFF with the US premiere of the white-knuckle drama set in Colombia, Dark Blood (2021, 83 min., USA). The Spanish-language film, directed by Harold Trampetero, follows a father imprisoned after committing a brutal revenge crime.
HBO Max will close out the festival with Moving Pa’lante! a free outdoor event that will feature a live performance by reggaeton star Justin Quiles and “concert salas,” where guests can check out HBO Max’s collection of exclusive Latin music specials. The evening will also include DJ’s, poets, food trucks, games, and local business vendors.
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“I am thrilled to once again commemorate Latino Heritage Month by welcoming the New York Latino Film Festival to The Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Film is something that unites us globally, and throughout the pandemic, many relied on film and the arts as a form of both expression and entertainment. As our borough and our city recover, I want to thank the organizers of the New York Latino Film Festival for debuting these wonderful works of art celebrating our customs, our culture, and our history, this Latino Heritage Month in our great borough.”
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