The NVISION Latino Film and Music Festival, an evolution of the Official Latino Film Festival, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a full program taking place October 10-12 in collaboration with the Palm Springs Art Museum and offering a diverse selection of films that highlight Latin culture, indigenous communities, LGBTQA+ narratives and much more.
The festival will present four feature films and thirty-five short films. These films represent various countries, such as: United States, Cuba, Spain, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Costa Rica. It will also feature exclusive panels and special talks by renowned industry figures such as Leslie Grace, Anthony Ramos, Jessy Terrero and others, offering a unique insight into the vibrant world of Latin film and music.
“Each film we select is a testament to the creativity, resilience and diverse perspectives of Latin artists around the world. “This year’s selection showcases bold stories that challenge, inspire and celebrate the richness of our culture,” said Lex Borrero, co-founder and CEO of NTERTAIN.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival to bring this extraordinary event to life at the Palm Springs Art Museum,” said Adam Lerner, executive director of the museum. “This year we look forward to deepening our existing relationship with the festival and continuing to demonstrate our commitment to presenting top-notch artistic and cultural offerings that connect across the Latino community.”
59% of the films presented are directed by women and the program represents close to 20% of LGBTQA+ filmmakers, along with a large number of works from Afro-Latino communities, people with disabilities and indigenous people.
“Capturing the rhythm of culture through the stories filmmakers tell is truly invigorating. This year, the program reflects a dynamic and bold energy, as these stories address the brave act of facing challenges with the determination that ‘the only way out is through them,’ said Christine Dávila, director of programming at NVISION.
NVISION Latino will open with the California premiere of ponyboi, an innovative film written by River Gallo and directed by Esteban Arango. This exciting story neo-noir tells the harrowing journey of a young intersex sex worker from New Jersey who, after a failed drug deal on Valentine’s Day, must flee the mafia. River Gallo gives a dazzling performance as the protagonist and screenwriter of this fascinating genre film. In collaboration with director Esteban Arango, they artfully bring to life a distinctive sense of place and character. His work is an example of the festival’s mission to highlight Latino filmmakers who are innovating in narrative and visual film writing.
The festival will conclude with the West Coast premiere of In the Hot: Tales of a Reggaeton Warriordirected by Fabien Pisani. This evocative documentary explores the life of Cuban artist Kandyman, a pivotal figure in the reggaeton movement, and offers a rare glimpse into Cuba’s crisis in the 1990s. In the Hot, is a powerful reminder of how music shapes culture and Pisani captures the raw and authentic essence of Kandyman, an iconic but almost forgotten pioneer who revolutionized the genre.
The festival’s featured screening is the U.S. premiere of This excessive ambitiondirected by Santos Bacana, Cristina Trenas and Rogelio González. This film offers an in-depth look at Spanish artist C. Tangana, capturing a vibrant image of the journey and creative crossroads of an uncompromising artist. The film’s inclusion in the Latino Film Festival reaffirms the festival’s commitment to music and unity, and celebrates the linguistic and cultural ties shared within the broader Hispanic community.
Highlights include:
PROJECTIONS
- Hive(United States, written and directed by Felipe Vargas) A short horror film by Felipe Vargas starring Marvel Cinematic Universe actress Xóchitl Gómez, known for her role in Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness.
- Shut up and Fish (United States, directed by Raúl Sánchez and Pasqual Gutierres) – From visionary Mexican-American music video directors Pasqual Gutiérrez and Raúl “RJ” Sanchez, also known as CLIQUA, who recently directed Iván Cornejo’s short film for Apple 15, Shut up and fish is a collection of vivid and daring stories of adolescence inspired by the current Latino youth culture of Los Angeles that revolve around issues of social identification, belonging and the creation of a real character.
- All the words but the One (US, written and directed by Emmy-nominated Nava Mau) A dinner with her partner’s new boss takes a very tense turn when Maya realizes she’s also sitting across from someone from her past.
- Tuhaymani’chi Pal Waniqa (The Water Flows Always) (USA, directed by Gina Milanovich Nils Cowan) A father attempts to reconnect his daughter with her indigenous roots and the ancient springs of the Mojave Desert, just as a new water extraction project threatens his very existence.
- Iron Lung (USA, directed by Andrew Reid) When a storm knocks out power to her iron lung, a polio survivor and her engineer sister find themselves in a race against time to find a new way for her to breathe.
- Split Decision (Canada, written and directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero) Created, filmed and edited in just 48 hours, this short film tells the story of a veteran boxing champion with dementia, who struggles to remember the last moments of his most iconic fight.
To see the complete list of films, click HERE
The broad influence of Latin music resonates throughout the festival, with a series of panels delving into a wide range of industry topics and viewpoints. These panels will feature the participation of prominent voices from the industry, such as the actress and several Latin GRAMMY nominees Leslie Gracethe actor and artist Anthony Ramosthe founder and CEO of Cinema Giants, Jessy Terrero and music executive, Areli Quirarteamong other experts. Each panel promises to offer valuable perspectives on the versatile landscape of Latin music and film.
PANELS – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10.
Art & Innovation in Music Videos
- The arrival of digital platforms such as YouTube has revolutionized the distribution of music videos, allowing for a wider range of styles and experiences. This evolution has transformed music videos from simple illustrations of songs and musical shorts to dynamic, director-driven art forms that are now an integral part of the digital music landscape. The lines between music, film and visual arts are increasingly blurring as directors and artists collaborate to create highly conceptual and engaging experiences. Hear innovative directors talk about how they are pushing boundaries and redefining the music video experience.
Leaders Building Timeless Brands
- A conversation focused on business economics and how Latino business leaders have championed a market opportunity-first mindset. This panel goes beyond familiar discussions of Hollywood challenges by highlighting leaders implementing tangible business solutions. Discover how these pioneers have identified unique opportunities in the market and leveraged their deep cultural knowledge and business acumen to achieve remarkable success.
PANELS – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
Soundtracks: The Power of Music in Film
- Music has a unique power to evoke emotions and amplify a film’s narrative. The right soundtrack can heighten tension, reveal a character’s internal struggles, or celebrate a protagonist’s triumph. This session, which combines interpretation and debate, will show how music transforms our cinema experience. Experts will explore various methods of integrating music to enhance on-screen storytelling.
Creating your Own Narrative Destiny
- This panel offers a fascinating discussion with filmmakers overcoming financial obstacles to unleash their creativity through the work of visionary creators who redefine narrative through inventive low-budget techniques. Discover how they maintain authenticity and craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of their art.
Becoming a Multi-hyphenate
- In an inspiring conversation about the career transition from artist to actor, this panel will explore the challenges and triumphs of evolving from one creative medium to another. Hear first-hand accounts from people who have successfully walked this path, sharing their insights and experiences.
The Power of the Written Word
- This panel explores how the use of descriptive and sensory language in storytelling makes writing more relatable and emotionally engaging. Discover how effectively breaking down sentence structures and using dialogue can transform the reader’s experience and interpretation of a story. Whether fiction or nonfiction, in print or digital format, the way a story is written significantly influences how it is perceived, remembered, and emotionally connected to the reader.
PANELS – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
Turning a Viral Moment into an Animation Empire: A Conversation with Vivienne Medrano
- This panel will highlight innovative creators and focus on how technology and creativity can be leveraged to build successful careers. Panelists will share their experiences and insights on how to leverage digital tools to build a brand.
America’s Biggest Blind Spot
- The Latino consumer is the main blind spot for companies, marketers, storytellers, and politicians, among others. This session will explore how we can use data, human-centered design, insight-based strategies, and authentic narratives to truly understand and engage the country’s most influential consumer.
The top awards for the best American and international short films award a prize of $5,000 and feature films a prize of $10,000. Attendees can purchase advance passes starting at $124.99 (available through September 2), regular three-day admission passes for $149.99, and individual one-day passes starting at $74.99 for Thursday and Friday and $99.99 for Saturday. Additionally, VIP tickets can be purchased for $199.99, which gives exclusive access to all three days.
For more information on programming and ticket purchases, visit https://nvisionfestival.com/ or follow NVISION on Instagram @nvisionfestival.