Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Announces LALIFF Connect, A Free Virtual Festival

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Category: Entertainment News

Published on Wednesday, 15 April 2020 11:55

Written by Hildy Johnson

Features (3)

The Last Rafter - After risking his life crossing the Florida Straits on a raft, a young Cuban searches Miami for his long-absent father. When a political shift makes him America's first Cuban undocumented immigrant, he must battle the new and bigger fear of deportation, while trying to find where he really belongs. Directed by Carlos Rafael Betancourt and Oscar Ernesto Ortega. (USA)

Paper Children – Paper Children explores America's invisible refugee crisis through the eyes of one Miami family who navigates a broken system with unwavering resilience.  The four siblings and their parents work hard at a new start together, as far away from the frightening gang violence in their native Honduras as possible.  As they begin to heal from past trauma, the thorny complexities of the US immigration system lead to crushing setbacks that once again threaten their sense of security. Through it all, the family holds on to their faith and loving spirit—they've risked too much to give up hope. Directed by Alexandra Codina. (USA)

This Is Cristina – Cristina and Susana have been best friends since high school. But now, when they are already over 30 years-old, they are receiving a wake-up call. Cristina just divorced and she is not prepared for her new spinsterhood; Susana is returning to live again in her mother's house. Because of a fight, they take distance from each other and now both, separated, will have to deal with a long list of selfish, self-centered and egotistical men around them. Directed by Gonzalo Maza. (Chile)

Shorts (6)

"1, 2, 3, All Eyes on Me" - When a crisis suddenly engulfs an elementary school campus, Ms. Leena, a determined art teacher tries everything she can to save her frightened class. Directed by Emil Gallardo. (USA)

"Baby" - An unnerving encounter with her estranged father at a night club while on a weekend back home in Lima is enough to remind Lia that there are unhealed wounds. Directed by Thais Drassinower. (PERU)

"Flowers Within" - Two women searching for "perfect beauty" realize that their biggest fight is not against each other. "Flowers Within" is a visual journey on how beauty standards imposed on women have blinded them from the power that lies within. Directed by Catalina Loret. (MEXICO)

"María" - Several weeks after a devastating hurricane, a young woman, María, returns home to care for her suicidal father. Directed by Zoe Salicrup Junco. (USA)

"Rizo" - An Afro-Latina struggles with her identity as she navigates the Hollywood machine. Directed by Jeanette Dilone. (USA)

"Say You Will" - Following his release from the juvenile hall at fourteen, Jeovany "Jeo" Salgado finds out he is subject to a gang injunction - a secretive law enforcement tool that will follow him for the rest of his life. Directed by Mariel Sosa. (USA)

Animated Shorts (3)

"Ailin on the Moon" - Vilma is a 40-year-old mother overwhelmed by fatigue and skin intolerance. Ailín just wants to play, until one day she causes the emotional outbreak of her mother. Directed by Claudia Ruiz. (ARGENTINA)

"Borrachero" - After a job goes wrong, a woman flees to her hometown in southern Colombia. Along the way, she encounters a mysterious figure, which might be the embodied spirit of an ancient plant. Directed by Gustavo Cerquera Benjumea. (CANADA)

"Miguel" - Miguel must overcome the feeling of being an outcast on his first day of school in a new country. Directed by Armando Sepulveda Mendoza. (USA)

Masterclasses

Nightlife Curation in the LatinX World: Masterclass with Cumbaitón's Dj Sizzle Fantastic and Funky Caramelo

Cumbiatón is an integral cultural movement which utilizes music and art as a vessel to heal and uplift oppressed hood communities. Join Cumbiatón as they share their collective experiences, inspirations, and what it takes to create dynamic events unlike any other for our community. We will dive into the influence behind these talented musicians, artists, and activists and how their unique lenses have shaped their nightlife curation in the Latinx world. Speakers: DJ Sizzle Fantastic and Funky Caramelo

LatinX in Animation: A Masterclass

Join LatinX in Animation as we host Latinx Creators, Artists, and Producers of diverse animated projects that highlights Latinx voices, representation, and diversity. Moderated by Carlos Aguilar, we will discuss the influences behind these talented artists, writers, producers, and creators, and how their unique perspectives have influenced their projects. Moderator: Carlos Aguilar (Film Critic & Writer) Speakers: Guillermo Martinez, Head of Story, Connected, Sony Pictures Animation, Yvett Merino, Co-Producer, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Miguel Puga, Creative Producer, The Casagrandes, Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Music Composition Masterclass

Join LALIFF Connect as we host Music Composers, Producers, and Songwriters currently working in the Film and TV landscape. This panel will discuss the influence behind these talented musicians and artists and how their unique perspectives have influenced their music and projects. We will cover their inspirations and music creation process, and how they work closely with productions to craft unique sounds that supports the storytelling. Moderator: Alexis de la Rocha (Managing Director LALIFF, LALIFF Music, Musician) Speakers: Elik Álvarez, Composer, Tony Morales, Composer, Carl Thiel, Composer & Producer, Maria Vertiz, Composer & Producer

Sound Design Masterclass

Join LALIFF as Emmy Award winning and Academy Award Nominated Paola Magrans dives into the world of Sound Design and shares her philosophy, technique and approach to creating phenomenal soundscapes to our favorite stories. She will discuss her experiences as the Sound Editor of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD and as Sound Designer of THE LAST RAFTER, as well as her approach, concept and challenges of working within a large or small budget. Speaker: Paola Magrans, Sound Designer, The Last Rafter

LALIFF Retrospective 2019

Features (3)

Councilwoman - A hotel housekeeper has won a City Council seat in Providence, RI. Energized to advocate for low-income workers, her stamina for politics is put to the test. Directed by Margo Guernsey. (USA)

Divine Love – Brazil, 2027. A deeply religious woman uses her position in a notary's office to advance her mission to save struggling couples from divorce. Whilst waiting for a sign in recognition of her efforts, she's confronted with a crisis in her own marriage that ultimately brings her closer to God. Directed by Gabriel Mascaro. (Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Denmark, Norway, Sweden)

I'll See You Around - Lucas struggles to break the cycle of addiction gripping his family and risks losing everyone he loves if he can't learn to forgive. Directed by Daniel Fermin Pfeffer. (USA)

Shorts (9)

"And the Brave Shall Rise" - Rooted in the newfound strength of a movement led by stay-at-home moms, one woman decides to run for office in a grass-roots effort to honor her son and family. Directed by Adam Schlachter. (USA)

"Chicle" ("Gum") - An ill-tempered teenager attempts to find peaceful solitude on the day of her grandfather's passing until an estranged friend pays her a visit. Directed by Lizette Barrera. (USA)

"Figueroa" - When his younger brother loses a fight, a teenage boy tries to teach his little brother about manhood, only to face an event that threatens to shatter their world altogether. Directed by Victor Hugo Duran. (USA)

"Pozole" - When Maia sets out to reconnect with her traditional Mexican roots on her Nana's 100th birthday, things go terribly wrong. Directed by Jessica Mendez Siqueiros. (USA)

"Simon Cries" - Simon, wrecked by a love sorrow, overflows with sadness. Directed by Sergio Guataquira Sarmiento. (Belgium)

"Skaya" - Sergio Ramirez builds a basketball and academics program that empowers a generation of kids in the north western mountains of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Directed by Gabriel Noguez. (USA)

"Suicidrag" - The Mexican group of drag queens Suicidrag streak the streets and nightclubs of Mexico City to raise awareness about the gender stereotype imposed by the consumer society. Directed by Andrea Perez Su. (Mexico)

"Unlucky's Luck" - On his 63rd birthday, Pellito receives a ticket for the Fortune's Raffle, an almost surreal lottery that comes into town. Directed by Felipe Holguin Caro. (Colombia)

"Water Warrior" - Water Warrior is a short film about Latina surfers and why seeing yourself in the sport you love matters. Directed by Mónica Medellín. (USA)

Episodic (3)

South of Sunset: Fake Mexicans - After an Executive tells Mexican-American writer DJ Banks his writing isn't authentic, and with the help of his comedic cousins, DJ sets his day on rediscovering his cultural authenticity by re-connecting with an old Mexican-American lady friend that ends up in disaster. Directed by David Tripler. (USA)

Stoned Breakups - Writer Daniel F. Pérez gets really high and opens up about a tragic east coast romance and breakup as a group of sober comedians reenact it. Directed by Benjamin-Shalom Rodriguez. (USA)

Unimundo 45 - When the anti-immigrant candidate wins the presidency, a jaded Latina news producer sheds her cynicism and reconnects with her suppressed activist side—on live TV. Directed by Thembi Banks. (USA)