Monthly Film Festival

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) hosts its annual NFMLA Film Festival InFocus: Latin & Hispanic Cinema program. The selection features three short film programs showcasing significant and thought-provoking independent films by emerging filmmakers from and working in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Venezuela, Canada and the United States.

The festival kicks off with an opening reception where all-access pass holders will enjoy complimentary food from Pink’s Hot Dogs and specialty cocktails featuring handcrafted tequila and mezcal made in Oaxaca, Mexico, by The Lost Explorer.

The first film program of the day, InFocus: Latin & Hispanic Cinema I, presents a selection of coming-of-age narrative shorts that explore formative experiences and relationships with siblings, family, friends, romantic interests, and one’s evolving perspectives. This program addresses questions about what it means to grow up, moments that foster deeper understanding among family members, navigating significant experiences, embracing one’s identity, and redefining the concept of family and friendships across time, space, and borders. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, opening remarks will be delivered by Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation. 

The program continues with InFocus: Latin & Hispanic Cinema II, a collection of stories about contending with injustice, inequality, systemic failures and colonialism. Their themes include exploration of these issues, battles for justice, finding strength, deconstructing limiting beliefs and seeking a better future, rendered through drama, documentary and horror.

The night concludes with InFocus: Latin & Hispanic Cinema III, a poignant program about the importance of our connections to one another across both generations and lifetimes. The stories here are about connection and loss, deep and transformative love, building meaningful shared moments, transmuting grief, and letting go.

NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year, across both our general and InFocus programming. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects for consideration for upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the schedule for InFocus programming, which celebrates representation by spotlighting various communities of filmmakers as part of the NFMLA Monthly Film Festival. This project is made possible in part by grant support from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The South Park Center is an ADA compliant venue and is wheelchair accessible. We request captioned films from all filmmakers participating at our Festival. For any accessibility needs, please send a request to info@nfmla.org at least 72 hours prior to the event.