The first selection of the LGBT program, “Transvestites Also Cry,” will be part of the special gala opening night at the Castro Theater. Another feature, “Spinnin’ (6 Billion Different People)” will be co-presented by Frameline, No on Prop 8, and the Spectrum LGBT Center. The program is completed with the latest in Mexican cinema, “Burn the Bridges.”
The acclaimed Festival, which celebrates the diversity of Latino culture through the timeless medium of film, runs from November 7 — 23, 2008. The program includes over 70 features, shorts, and documentaries from Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Bolivia, Cuba, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela and Spain. The Festival will present screenings in eight Bay Area cities: San Francisco, Redwood City, San Jose, San Rafael, Larkspur, Berkeley, San Mateo, and San Bruno. All films include English subtitles.
"This year we were able to bring together an amazing collection of films that truly reflects the diversity of Latino cinema throughout the world. We are especially excited to honor several outstanding artists this year including Lourdes Portillo, Gregory Nava, and Alex Rivera. These US-based filmmakers have all done extraordinary work that embodies the vital connection between Latino cinema in the US and in Latin America," said Sylvia Perel, Festival Director.
The LGBT programming for the 2008 festival will include:
“Transvestites Also Cry”
Dir. Sebastiano d'Ayala Valva, 2007, France, 54 min.
Raw emotions are revealed when the lives of two vibrant and outspoken Ecuadorian transsexuals are exposed over three years, as they work as prostitutes in Paris' gritty Clichy district. Both funny and moving, this award-winning documentary provides a glimpse at their struggle to assimilate despite economic hardships and the dual intolerance faced as illegal immigrants and sex workers.
Showtimes:
Opening Night Gala
November 7, 2008, 9:15 PM
Castro Theater
429 Castro Street, San Francisco
www.thecastrotheatre.com
CinePride Tribute: A Celebration of Marriage Equality!
“Spinnin' (6 Billion Different People)”
Dir. Eusebio Pastrana, 2007, Spain, 110 min.
A whirlwind adventure that celebrates life, love, and everything in between as we follow a young gay couple in mid 1990s Madrid as they and their friends deal with issues of having children, marriage, divorce, and more. A collage of different stories revolve around the characters' turbulent lives as we encounter lovers who find, fight and feel the meaning of love.
Showtimes:
November 9, 2008, 6:15 PM
Brava Theater for Women in the Arts
2781 24th Street, San Francisco
www.brava.org
Co-presented by No on Prop 8 and Frameline
November 22, 2008, 8:00 pm
Dominican University, Angelica Hall
50 Acacia Avenue, San Rafael
www.dominican.edu
Co-presented by Spectrum LGBT Center and Frameline
The Latest in Mexican Cinema
“Burn the Bridges”
Dir. Francisco Franco, 2007, Mexico, 100 min.
In a crumbling colonial mansion in Zacatecas, Mexico, teenage siblings Helena and Sebastián live isolated with their dying mother, a family held together by a close but dangerously dependent relationship. A profound look at family relationships, homosexual awakening and the choice between being trapped in the past or "burning the bridges" and following one's dreams.
Showtimes:
November 11, 2008, 7:45 pm
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
2868 Mission Street, San Francisco
www.missionculturalcenter.org
The International Latino Film Festival’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and to exploring a wide array of themes and issues is made evident through its diverse selection of shorts, documentaries and feature films. This year’s films will inspire, illuminate, challenge, educate, motivate, excite, thrill, surprise, and entertain – they are everything Latino and everything universal.
THE INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM SOCIETY/FILM FESTIVAL
Presented by the International Latino Film Society, The International Latino Film Festival was founded in 1997 by Sylvia Perel to benefit the San Francisco Bay Area
by promoting cinema of significant artistic merit created by, or about Latinos, and to celebrate cultural understanding through the art of film and filmmaking. The International Latino Film Festival began in Marin County with eight films over three days in one venue and has grown to more than 70 films over 17 days in eight cities across the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. For additional information about the Festival visit www.LatinoFilmFestival.org.
This year’s sponsors are:
Macy's, Wells Fargo, Latino Leadership Council and the City of Redwood City, Castellano Family Foundation, Don Julio Tequila, Comcast, San Francisco Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, County of Marin Board of Supervisors, Alexander and June L.Maisin Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, Fullerton Family Foundation, City and County of San Francisco Grants for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, San Francisco Tobacco Free Project, Bank of Marin, Southwest Airlines, Clear Channel, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, SF Metro Center, Univision 14, TeleFutura 66 y Recuerdo 100.3
In-kind sponsors:
Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Renoir Hotel, Hilton San Francisco, JW Marriott San Francisco, PINK Magazine, SFMTA, Thirsty Bear, Gloria Ferrer, Destino, Regalito, Alegrias, Aroma Buena Catering, Travelocity, Ramblas Tapas Bar
Consulates and Educational organizations:
Consulate General of Brazil, Consulate General of Mexico in SF and San Jose, Consulate General of El Salvador, Consulate General Bolivirian Republica of Venezuel, Consulate General of Spain, San Jose State University, City College of SF, Dominican University.
