Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Announces Partial Line Up of Award Winning Films

June 14, 2011 - PRLog -- LOS ANGELES, CA – The 15th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) announces a partial line up of films for its upcoming edition at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood Sunday, July 17 through Monday, July 25, 2011. The event marks the 15th anniversary of LALIFF and its strategic rise presenting diverse and quality programming and a catalyst for promotion and distribution of Latino films.  The 9-day event will include from award winning films, new emerging talents to commercial hits from around the USA, Latin America and Spain welcoming the biggest stars on the red carpet and more than 15 premieres.  http://www.latinofilm.org

Marlene Dermer, Executive Director and Programmer of LALIFF announced a partial list of titles:  From the United States, the highly anticipated Latino comedy WITHOUT MEN starring Eva Longoria, Kate Del Castillo, Maria Conchita Alonso, Christian Slater and Monica Huarte.  A film by Gabriela Tagliavini based on the bestselling book by James Canon “Tales from the Town of Widows.”  Included are new emerging talents from GUN HILL ROAD by Rashaad Ernesto Green introducing Harmony Santana with wonderful and powerful performances alongside Esai Morales and Judy Reyes, to the inspirational story of ALL SHE CAN a film by Amy Wendel with Corina Calderon part of the Maya Indie Series.  From director Alfredo de Villa, HARLISTAS: AN AMERICAN JOURNEY. A revealing and sensitive documentary about the Latino Harley-Davidson culture.

The festival will present the Mexican stars Ana de la Reguera and Demián Bichir in the Mexican production by Antonio Serrano, HIDALGO, LA HISTORIA JAMÁS CONTADA (Hidalgo. The Never Told Story). Also, newcomer Sebastián Hiriart with his directorial low budget film debut, A TIRO DE PIEDRA (A Stone’s Throw Away) a shepherd in the north of Mexico one day finds a keychain. Seeing it as a sign, he will undertake a trip that will take him on a journey of hundreds of miles.    

From Chile Goya winner director, Matías Bize LA VIDA DE LOS PECES (The Life of Fish). A film about a journalist’s return to his home and re-discovering the past he had chosen to forget. Played by Heroes star  Santiago Cabrera. Including the highly critically acclaimed and award winning film from another one of Chile’s new generation of directors, Pablo Larraín, POST MORTEM. From the new emerging cinema of Colombia the second & Sundance award winning film by Carlos Moreno, TODOS TUS MUERTOS and first feature award winning film LOS COLORES DE LA MONTAÑA (The Colors of the Mountain) by Carlos Arbeláez.

First time feature selections include LA HORA CERO by Diego Velasco.  A gritty, fast-paced heist film set in Caracas during the 24 hours of a controversial medical strike.  It follows a tattooed hit-man as he takes an elite hospital hostage in order to save his girlfriend. BOLETO AL PARAÍSO (Ticket to Paradise) a Gerardo Chijona film that explores the journey of two runaways -one escaping sexual abuse, the other running from the law- decide to take refuge in an AIDS hospice.  From Argentina, LA MIRADA INVISIBLE (The Invisible Eye) by Diego Lerman. Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s military regime of the 1980’s this is Diego Lerman’s engrossing and beautifully acted exploration of the totalitarian urge. From Uruguay LA VIDA ÚTIL (The Useful Life.) Federico Veiroj’s sly and loving homage to the soul of cinema is a universally appealing gem and knowing charmer about life after movies. Both titles a co-presentation with Global Film Initiative.

As part of the festival world premieres it will be presenting the extraordinary documentary, LA MALETA MEXICANA (THE MEXICAN SUITCASE) by Trisha Ziff.  The story of three lost boxes found in a closet in Mexico City in 2007 that disappeared in the chaos in Europe at the beginning of World War II. Contained in the suitcase, 4,500 unique negatives by some of the world’s greatest photographers, Robert Capa, Gerda Taro y David "Chim" Seymour.  A story of how these radical journalists united to fight fascism with their cameras, changing the way war is reported today.  

Highlighting a music program of documentaries is the award winning animated story CHICO & RITA by Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, and Tono Errando. Cuba circa 1948.  Chico is a young piano player with big dreams.  He meets Rita a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice.  Music and romantic desire unites them but their journey brings heartache and torment.   A gem of a film with music by Cuban maestro, Bebo Valdez.  The program includes 100 Sones Cubanos, by Grammy nominated composer Edesio Alejandro. A wonderful journey of music and history of the Son through Cuba’s countryside and cities.

LALIFF 2011 will present feature films, documentaries, shorts, and special screenings. In addition, filmmakers and the public will be able to participate in conversations with artists and panels presented by the Writers Guild and Directors Guilds of America as well as musical events.

LALIFF kicks off with the Opening Night Gala and GABI Award Presentation on Sunday July 17, 2011. Regular screenings will start July 18 through Sunday, July 24. The Closing Night and the Award Ceremony & Gala will take place on Monday July 25th at the Egyptian Theater 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood California 90028. Tickets will go on sale June 27th. For more information on LALIFF 2011 films, accreditations, booking interviews or press materials please contact the Press Department at pressoffice@latinofilm.org or visit: www.latinofilm.org.



Press Contact:
LALIFF PR Manager General & International Media
Jasmin Espada
Press@latinofilm.org
Tel: (818) 521-3807

LALIFF Press Office Coordinator
Conny Quintanilla
PressOffice@latinofilm.org
Tel: (323) 446-2770

LALIFF PR Manager for Spanish Media
Daniel Morales
spanishpress@latinofilm.org
Tel: (310) 775-1681

LALIFF 2011 Sponsors:

Premier Sponsors: Los Angeles Times / Hoy Newspaper.
Presenting Media Sponsor: Univision Radio: KLOVE 107.5FM, KTNQ 1020AM, La Nueva 101.9FM, Recuerdo 103.9FM

Official Sponsor: City of Los Angeles EGEDA & Filmotech
Official Wine & Bubbly Sponsor: Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Official Beer Sponsor: Stella Artois

Gala Night Presenter Sponsor: The Coca-Cola Company & ATT

Award Sponsors: The Walt Disney Company, BAFTA, Show Biz Software, Movie Magic, FINALDRAFT

Youth Program: Fry’s Electronics

Supporting Sponsors: ITEX LA, HONDA
Film Festival Sponsors: Sony Pictures, HBO, Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), NBC Universal, Maya Entertainment, Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG), Festival Internacional de Cine de Guadalajara (FICG), University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, Panavision, Titra, Warner Bros.

Collaborators: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Film Archive, Molaa (Museum of Latin America Art), L.A. Inc., MTA (Metro Transportation Authority), Hollywood & Highland Center/Spa Luce, American Cinematheque

Seminar Sponsors: WGAW, DGA-Directors Guild of America
Media Partners:  Vanidades, W Radio 690AM, Al Borde/El Clasificado, KLCS, Creative Handbook, Bazuca Magazine, La Prensa Colombiana, LATV, In Hollywood Magazine, VeneMovies, Latino Weekly Review.

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About LALIFF: The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) was founded in 1997 by producer, director, actor and activist Edward James Olmos and independent producer Marlene Dermer. LALIFF is a non-profit 501c (3) organization with the mission to support the development and exhibition of diverse visions by Latino filmmakers. To serve as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion of Latin films and filmmakers in the industry locally, nationally & internationally. To develop audiences for such films and in the process bring awareness of the richness and diversity of Latin cultures, artistry and countries through film, the most powerful medium in the world.
A competitive festival with prizes, LALIFF serves as a venue where Latino filmmakers come together with industry buyers and distributors. LALIFF also offers industry workshops, panels, labs, networking receptions, educational programs, and hosts some of the best Galas in tinsel town.