The film Festival returns for movies plus food and music. That speaks with the film programmer about what to expect from the 24th annual Festival. You have been doing films for four years. In that time, has anything changed for you in terms of how the programming has been going? Are you getting more submissions? Are you expanding the festival? What is it like? In the last four years, we have seen an increase of awareness for the festival every year. We get more submissions. We also, we have done a better job at connecting with the US Latino filmmakers which is a goal for the festival. This year, we have a showcase dedicated to the US Latino filmmakers. We want to make sure that these voices are heard at the individuals feel included. One of the criticisms that the festival has received in the past is that we may pay too much attention to Mexican filmmakers or South American film makers. We want to make sure that the attention is paid to the Latino experience is being produced all over the world. It includes domestically, it is a important perspective. I am wondering if the political climate that is going on is affecting the festival in terms of the purpose that you feel the festival should serve in a border city with the political climate that we are talking about potentially with Tromp wanting to build the wall and travel bans. Does the testable feel energized in a different way to tackle those issues on? It does. This current election occurred as we were starting the screening process. Latino community was largely under attack by this incoming administration. It was definitely in the parameters to book valves that were authentic and emphasize celebrating the diversity of the Latino experiences. We hope that the festival is in a way, a safe haven for Latinos and individuals who will be pleased to read the welcome letter program because it emphasizes the importance of traditions and unity and safe spaces. We want the Latino to Pete -- the community to learn that we are predicating for them through the type of films that we screen at the festivals. It seems with this talk about holding a wall, the festivals and art seem to be a way of breaking down walls. Exactly. We have always celebrated filmmakers from San Diego and a perspectives that they provide on immigration and they are some of the most emotional ones that I have seen committed to film. We have a short film this year which is about a veteran who had to go back to Mexico and was split from his family. They have to connect through the fence near the water any ocean. It is emotional. Are there titles that you want to highlight or sidebars? Yes. Seeking to this political climate, we have a film called forbidden [ NULL ] and undocumented in rural America. It is about a young student who wants to pursue higher education in North Carolina. He is unable to do so due to is status. It traces the struggle to make a living and fulfill his dreams. I think it is a story that will resonate with a lot of filmgoers and the community at large. In terms of other sidebars, we are excited that we are bringing back tributes which we have not done in the last four years since I've been here. We are doing a tribute to what world-renowned and acclaimed Mexican filmmakers, who will be here in person to present the amazing film deep crimson. He will attend the screening on Friday, March .4. We are excited that one of the titans of Mexican film is joining the festival. We will also do a showcase for a young filmmaker from Mexico who who is redefining the romantic comedy or the romantic film and does it with such into Lake and style. You pick a country to focus on. What country have you pick this year? We selected Brazil to be the country of focus. It came about because of this documentary that I watched called [ Indiscernible ]. The documentary realized this how much -- how beautiful Brazil is and how exciting and forward thinking it is. It revealed itself. It was a revolution but when I talked about the films that I've seen, it seems like a no-brainer. You are talking about the diversity that runs to the festival. If people want to get a condensed version, you have shorts programs as well? The short film is mesmerizing to me. The structure and the format, short firms tell a story and sometimes in a minute and sometimes 10. That is where you see the true innovation of cinema. I don't know if people understand but you are getting 10 amazing films in this 90 minutes. It is a deal. This year, how many films did you have to look at and how many films have you. This down to? We screened, we screened over 700 movies. I think we created an Excel sheet with all of the films. I think we are at 178 feature and short films. It is a lot of movies. The point is to think about where you can see a lot of amazing films in five days. Give into luxury and do not feel like you have to watch one. Really take the time to look for the catalog. That is what is amazing. You get to watch five or six movies in a day and you wake up and do it all over again. Filmgoing is one of the best. I really hope that people take the chance and make it out to the movies. Thank you. Thank you for having me. That was Beth speaking with the film festival programmer. The festival runs through March 26 at the AMC fashion Valley theaters and digital Jim cinema. Watch the evening edition at 5:00 and 6:00 tonight. Join us tomorrow for the tran one at news -- KPBS Midday Edition at noon. I am Maureen Cavanaugh . Thank you for listening. [ Event Concluded ] Actions
Beth Accomando's recommendations
From Arturo Ripstein: "Deep Crimson (Profundo carmesí)," "La calle de la amargura" and "El castillo de la pureza"
"Oscuro Animal"
"The Ornithologist"
"Mextasy"
"Un mundo extraño Shorts"
"1974"
"Tenemos la carne (We are the Flesh)"
The 24th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival returns to Fashion Valley for a celebration of diversity through Latin cinema.
The selection committee for this year's festival began screening films last year just as the presidential election was coming to a close.
"The Latino community was largely under attack by this incoming administration so it was definitely in the programmers' minds to book films that were authentic and emphasized celebrating the diversity of Latino experiences. So we hope our festival is in a way a safe haven for Latinos. So we want the Latino community here in San Diego to know that we are advocating for them through the type of films we screen at our festival," film programmer Moises Esparza said.
More than 700 films were submitted and more than 170 from nearly two dozen countries made the final cut and will be screened between March 16 and 26 at AMC Fashion Valley Theaters and Digital Gym Cinema.
The country of focus this year will be Brazil with a collection of five films screening including the documentary "Cinema Novo" about the revolutionary spirit of the 1960’s film movement that changed Brazilian filmmaking.
In addition to the screening of features, documentaries, and shorts, the festival will also pay tribute to a trio of artists: veteran visionary filmmaker Arturo Ripstein, director Manolo Caro, and actress Maria Rojo. All three will be in attendance at the festival. There will also be a sidebar focusing on Latin-American filmmakers.
For the second year the festival will hold Sabor Latino on Saturday, March 18. The event serves up unlimited food tastings inspired by celebrated Latino chefs, as well as beer and wine tastings provided by more than 20 craft breweries and wineries from San Diego and Baja California. Plus Sonido Latino will provide free concerts every day of the festival.
Once again the San Diego Latino Film Festival serves up a host of events and a wildly eclectic array of films for attendees to chose from. You can either check out the schedule of films in the online catalogue to plan exactly what you want to see or you can take the more daring approach of simply heading down to Fashion Valley whenever you can and seeing whatever is playing. Either way you will find something to stimulate your palate.
