Palm Springs is not only the place for a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, it’s also the home of the World Tourism Network Ageless Travel initiative, and it will be the home of those who love Latin Films and Music in October.
The 10th-anniversary edition of the NVISION Latino Film and Music Festival, an exciting transformation of the Official Latino Film Festival, will reveal its captivating lineup. This three-day festival will be held in Palm Springs from October 10th to 12th, in collaboration with Palm Springs Art Museum. It will feature an eclectic array of films that celebrate Latino culture, indigenous communities, LGBTQA+ stories, and more.
The festival will present an impressive selection of four full-length movies and 35 short films from various countries, including the United States, Cuba, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and Costa Rica. Additionally, NVISION will include exclusive panels and special discussions led by renowned figures in the industry, such as Leslie Grace, Anthony Ramos, Jessy Terrero, and others, providing valuable insights into the dynamic realm of Latino cinema and music.
“Each film in our selection is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and diverse perspectives of Latino artists from around the world. This year’s lineup showcases bold stories that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the richness of our culture,” said Lex Borrero, co-founder and CEO of NTERTAIN. “While it’s crucial to amplify these artists who have created remarkable independent features and shorts, it’s equally important to foster a space where they know they have a community to lean on. Our festival aims to provide them with inspiring conversations and practical resources to help them continue achieving and rising to the upper echelons of entertainment creation. We can’t wait for audiences to experience these powerful narratives and the undeniable talent behind them.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival to bring this remarkable event to life at Palm Springs Art Museum,” stated Adam Lerner, Executive Director of the museum. “We look forward to deepening our existing relationship with the festival this year and continuing to showcase our commitment to presenting premier artistic and cultural offerings that resonate with Latino/Latina/Latine communities.”
Women direct 59 percent of the screening films, and the program showcases nearly 20 percent of LGBTQA+ filmmakers, in addition to a wide range of works from Afro-Latinx, disability, and Indigenous communities.
“Capturing the pulse of culture through the stories filmmakers tell is truly exhilarating. This year, the program reflects a dynamic and bold energy as these stories explore the courageous act of facing challenges with the resolve that ‘the only way out is through,'” said Christine Dávila, director of programming for NVISION. “We chose to incorporate a rich mix of comedy, documentary, animation, experimental, music, and live-action genres, showcasing artists from a wide array of communities throughout the entire lineup. Our goal is to move beyond traditional categories and embrace the full spectrum of diversity in both the filmmaking medium and the themes explored.”
NVISION will open with the California premiere of Ponyboi, a groundbreaking film written by River Gallo and directed by Esteban Arango. This gripping neo-noir narrative tracks the harrowing journey of a young intersex sex worker in New Jersey who, following a botched Valentine’s Day drug deal, must flee from the mob. River Gallo delivers a magnetic performance as both the star and writer of this mesmerizing genre bending film. Collaborating with director Esteban Arango, they skillfully bring to life a distinctive sense of place and character. Their work exemplifies the festival’s mission to spotlight Latinx filmmakers who are innovating both narrative and visual storytelling in cinema.
Fabien Pisani directs En la Caliente: Tales of a Reggaeton Warrior, the West Coast premiere of a captivating documentary that delves into the life of Kandyman, a Cuban artist who played a crucial role in the reggaeton movement. This film offers a unique perspective on the struggles faced by Cuba in the 1990s. En la Caliente serves as a poignant testament to the profound influence of music on culture, as Pisani skillfully captures the raw and genuine essence of Kandyman, an iconic yet often overlooked pioneer who transformed the genre.
Esta Ambición Desmedida, directed by Santos Bacana, Cristina Trenas, and Rogelio Gonzalez, will be showcased as the centerpiece screening of the festival. This film offers a profound exploration of the life and artistic path of Spanish musician C. Tangana, presenting a dynamic portrayal of his unwavering dedication and pivotal moments of creativity. The selection of this film for the Latino Film Festival emphasizes the festival’s dedication to music, unity, and the connection among the diverse Hispanic community in terms of language and culture.
Screening highlights include:
- Hive, (United States, written and directed by Felipe Vargas) a short horror film from Felipe Vargas starring Marvel Cinematic Universe actress Xochitl Gomez, known for her role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
- Shut up and Fish (United States, directed by Raul Sanchez and Pasqual Gutierres) – From the visionary Mexican-American music video directors Pasqual Gutiérrez and Raúl “RJ” Sanchez, also known as CLIQUA, who recently directed the Ivan Cornejo short film for Apple 15, Shut up and Fish is a collection of vivid and daring coming-of-age stories inspired by current Los Angeles Latino youth culture that revolve around issues of social identification, belonging, and the creation of real character.
- All the words but the One (United States, written and directed by Emmy nominated actress Nava Mau) A dinner with her partner’s new boss takes a tense turn when Maya realizes she’s also sitting across from someone from her past.
- Tuhaymani’chi Pal Waniqa (The Water Flows Always) (United States, directed by Gina Milanovich Nils Cowan) A father seeks to reconnect his daughter with her indigenous roots and the ancient springs of the Mojave Desert, just as a new water-mining project threatens their very existence.
- Iron Lung (United States, directed by Andrew Reid) When a storm knocks out the 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) Crafted, filmed, and edited within just 48 hours, this short film tells the story of an aging boxing champion with dementia, grappling to remember the final moments of his most iconic fight.
The festival showcases the strong impact of Latin music through a variety of panel discussions covering diverse topics and industry insights. Renowned figures in the industry, such as Leslie Grace, Anthony Ramos, Jessy Terrero, Areli Quirarte, and other experts, will participate in these discussions. Each panel will provide valuable insights into the changing world of Latin music and film.
