San Diego Latino Film Festival Preview

The 19th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival arrives March 8th through 18th in a celebration of cinematic cultural diversity. With award-winning films, explorations in various genres and options for all ages, over 160 Latino films are expected to draw in crowds all ten days at the UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley.

This hybrid of the arts is an opportunity for the Latino community to showcase history through documentaries, narratives, animated features and more. Between the films, guests can engage with the Latino and film community through the parties, filmmaker's lounge and other social experiences.

In the documentary genre, Captive Beauty tells the story of four female inmates brought together by a beauty pageant held inside a prison in Medellin, Colombia. Showing in the Jewish Latino Cinema genre will be three features and two documentaries offering a glimpse into Jewish Latin American society. Audiences can enjoy El Premio, a story of a young mother and her daughter under a cloud of military dictatorship who flee Buenos Aires for a secluded cottage located on an Argentine beach.

As part of Cine Gay 2012, the festival continues their mission to help correct the often distorted images seen in the media. One of the top picks is Lengua Materna, the film that shares the story of 40 year old Ruth telling her traditional mother Estela that she’s gay, causing a sudden shift in their relationship. Also on the bill is Arte Latino, where artists and musicians show their work in the company of food, drinks and more. This year, guests can enjoy the art from famed Santana/Maria Maria award-winning artists Michael Rios and Irene Carranza. And for the whole family, the San Diego Latino Film Festival presents exclusive Para la Familia films. Brijes 3D will premiere as the first feature-length film to be presented in 3D. Also for all ages is El Sueno de Ivan, a film depicting a young Ivan’s dreams of one day playing professional soccer against the world’s best players.

Party time: This year’s festival includes an Opening Night Party on Thursday, March 8th from 9pm-1:30am at Café Sevilla. The Closing Night Party takes place on Saturday, March 17th from 9pm-1:30am at 4th & B.

Eager guests can buy 2012 Film or Festival Passes early. The Festival Pass includes over 100 programs, no waiting in lines, VIP seating, four workshops, one year of membership and entrance to all three galas for $180. The Film Pass includes entrance to 11 films, no waiting in lines, and VIP seating for $90. The Family Pass features tickets for two adults and two children for all Para la Familia films for $35.

Tickets to the San Diego Latino Film Festival can be purchased online starting March 1st and will be available at Will Call on March 8th at 4pm. They can also be purchased in person starting March 1st, between 12:30pm to 1pm daily at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinema at 7510 Hazard Center Dr. For a full schedule of screenings and more information, visit sdlatinofilm.com.

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