LALIFF ANNOUNCES ITS PARTIAL LINE UP FOR ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (LALIFF) ANNOUNCES ITS PARTIAL LINE UP OF AWARD WINNING FILMS AND WORLD, USA & WEST COAST PREMIERES FOR ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY LALIFF WILL SCREEN FILMS FROM INDEPENDENTS TO FUTURE COMMERCIAL HITS

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LOS ANGELES, CA June 13, 2011 – The 15th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) announces a partial line up of films for its upcoming edition at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood Sunday, July 17 through Monday, July 25, 2011. The event marks the 15th anniversary of LALIFF and its strategic rise presenting diverse and quality programming and a catalyst for promotion and distribution of Latino films. The 9-day event will include from award winning films, new emerging talents to commercial hits from around the USA, Latin America and Spain welcoming the biggest stars on the red carpet and more than 15 premieres.

Marlene Dermer, Executive Director and Programmer of LALIFF announced a partial list of titles: From the United States, the highly anticipated Latino comedy WITHOUT MEN starring Eva Longoria, Kate Del Castillo, Maria Conchita Alonso, Christian Slater and Monica Huarte. A film by Gabriela Tagliavini based on the bestselling book by James Canon “Tales from the Town of Widows.” Included are new emerging talents from GUN HILL ROAD by Rashaad Ernesto Green introducing Harmony Santana with wonderful and powerful performances alongside Esai Morales and Judy Reyes, to the inspirational story of ALL SHE CAN a film by Amy Wendel with Corina Calderon part of the Maya Indie Series. From director Alfredo de Villa, HARLISTAS: AN AMERICAN JOURNEY. A revealing and sensitive documentary about the Latino Harley-Davidson culture.

The festival will present the Mexican stars Ana de la Reguera and Demián Bichir in the Mexican production by Antonio Serrano, HIDALGO, LA HISTORIA JAMÁS CONTADA (Hidalgo. The Never Told Story). Also, newcomer Sebastián Hiriart with his directorial low budget film debut, A TIRO DE PIEDRA (A Stone’s Throw Away) a shepherd in the north of Mexico one day finds a keychain. Seeing it as a sign, he will undertake a trip that will take him on a journey of hundreds of miles.

From Chile Goya winner director, Matías Bize LA VIDA DE LOS PECES (The Life of Fish). A film about a journalist’s return to his home and re-discovering the past he had chosen to forget. Played by Heroes star Santiago Cabrera. Including the highly critically acclaimed and award winning film from another one of Chile’s new generation of directors, Pablo Larraín, POST MORTEM. From the new emerging cinema of Colombia the second & Sundance award winning film by Carlos Moreno, TODOS TUS MUERTOS and first feature award winning film LOS COLORES DE LA MONTAÑA (The Colors of the Mountain) by Carlos Arbeláez.

First time feature selections include LA HORA CERO by Diego Velasco. A gritty, fast- paced heist film set in Caracas during the 24 hours of a controversial medical strike. It follows a tattooed hit-man as he takes an elite hospital hostage in order to save his girlfriend. BOLETO AL PARAÍSO (Ticket to Paradise) a Gerardo Chijona film that explores the journey of two runaways -one escaping sexual abuse, the other running from the law- decide to take refuge in an AIDS hospice. From Argentina, LA MIRADA INVISIBLE (The Invisible Eye) by Diego Lerman. Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s military regime of the 1980’s this is Diego Lerman’s engrossing and beautifully acted exploration of the totalitarian urge. From Uruguay LA VIDA ÚTIL (The Useful Life.) Federico Veiroj’s sly and loving homage to the soul of cinema is a universally appealing gem and knowing charmer about life after movies. Both titles a co-presentation with Global Film Initiative.

As part of the festival world premieres it will be presenting the extraordinary documentary, LA MALETA MEXICANA (THE MEXICAN SUITCASE) by Trisha Ziff. The story of three lost boxes found in a closet in Mexico City in 2007 that disappeared in the chaos in Europe at the beginning of World War II. Contained in the suitcase, 4,500 unique negatives by some of the world’s greatest photographers, Robert Capa, Gerda Taro y David “Chim” Seymour. A story of how these radical journalists united to fight fascism with their cameras, changing the way war is reported today.

Highlighting a music program of documentaries is the award winning animated story CHICO & RITA by Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, and Tono Errando. Cuba circa 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. He meets Rita a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them but their journey brings heartache and torment. A gem of a film with music by Cuban maestro, Bebo Valdez. The program includes 100 Sones Cubanos, by Grammy nominated composer Edesio Alejandro. A wonderful journey of music and history of the Son through Cuba’s countryside and cities.

LALIFF 2011 will present feature films, documentaries, shorts, and special screenings. In addition, filmmakers and the public will be able to participate in conversations with artists and panels presented by the Writers Guild and Directors Guilds of America as well as musical events.

LALIFF kicks off with the Opening Night Gala and GABI Award Presentation on Sunday July 17, 2011. Regular screenings will start July 18 through Sunday, July 24. The Closing Night and the Award Ceremony & Gala will take place on Monday July 25th at the Egyptian Theater 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood California 90028. Tickets will go on sale June 27th.