The festival line-up for the 34th annual CineFestival -- the longest running Latino film festival in the world -- includes an animated 2012 Academy-award nominee as well as Cannes and Sundance films.
"Chico and Rita," an animated feature film, is nominated to win an Academy Award on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the 84th Annual Academy Awards. The love story set in the 1950s surrounds the separation of two lovers who are musicians.
Also, "El Velador," a documentary screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, follows the story of a man who takes care of drug cartel cemeteries. And "Mosquita & Mari," which screened at Sundance 2012, tells the story of a love relationship between two Chicano teenage girls.
Additionally, the festival offers a border film conference, master class workshops on producing films "with a voice," and after parties with filmmakers, said Festival Director Jim Mendiola.
For the first time, the festival is eight days long, starting Friday, Feb. 24 through March 3 at the historic Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe St., SA., 78207. Tickets range from $50 for a festival pass to $8 for individual screenings. Go to eventbrite.com or call (210) 271-3151.
The following is the schedule by day:
FRIDAY, FEB 24
7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Filmmakers across_borders
Cross-cultural film summit hosted by San Antonio Film Commission. Cost is $15 per person.
SATURDAY, FEB 25
6 p.m.
“Jammin’ ” (45 min)
Documentary on the San Antonio band, Girl in a Coma, in their early days. A Q&A session with the band will be held after the screening.
8 p.m.
Girl in a Coma 10 Year Anniversary Concert
Guadalupe Plaza, 1327 Guadalupe Street, with opening act David Garza. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEB 26
1 p.m.
“Granito: How to Nail a Dictator”(103 min)
Five survivors of Guatemalan civil wars of the 1980s go back to seek justice in this powerful documentary.
3 p.m.
“Las Tesoros of San Antonio”
Documentary performance of Las Tesoros’ live 2011 concert.
4:30 p.m.
“America” (95 min)
Narrative feature about an abused Puerto Rican mother looking for a better life in New York.
7 p.m.
Shorts Program (101 min)
The best of short films from and about South Texas, including San Antonio directors Veronica Hernandez and Sam Lerma.
9 p.m.
“Strange Luck” (12 min)
“The Return of Johnny V.” (90 min)
An action-packed Tex Mex grind-core flick.
MONDAY, FEB 27
6 p.m.
Youth Screening
The best of the brightest from San Antonio youth filmmakers.
8 p.m.
“Mamitas”
East LA coming-of-age story about the unlikely romance between a bad-boy homie and a straight-A student.
TUESDAY, FEB 28
7 p.m.
“A Useful Life” (67 min)
From Uruguay comes a black-and-white gem of a movie about a middle-aged man running a failing art house cinema.
9 p.m.
“Nostalgia for the Night” (90 min)
Master Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzman meditates on the meaning of Chile’s Atacama Desert — burial place of Pinochet’s “disappeared” and where astronomers now gather to gaze at the heavens.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 29
6 p.m.
“El Velador” (55 min)
Matter-of-fact exploration of the people who maintain the elaborate cemeteries of dead cartel drug dealers. Premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
7 p.m.
“El Sicario, Room 164” (84 min)
First-person testimony by a sicario — a hit-man for Mexican drug cartels.
9 p.m.
TBA
THURSDAY, MAR 1 - Pocho Night
7 p.m.
“Marimbas From Hell”
Guatemalan Heavy Metal movie ... with Marimbas. Winner Special Jury Award 2012 CineFestival. Filmmaker will be in attendance. Co-sponsored with Hogwild Records.
9 p.m.
“Pochos Production Presents: American Mustache”
A live performance world premiere of a redubbed, chopped-up version of “American Me.” A fun and hilarious deconstruction of perhaps the most famous Chicano gang movie of all time. Brought to the stage w Performed live with actors in front of the projected film.
11 p.m.
“Lola’s Love Shack”
Three teenage best friends go on the hunt in their East LA neighborhood searching for Lola’s, a legendary, yet never-seen brothel.
FRIDAY, MAR 2
9 a.m.
Special Senior Screening of “El Gran Calavera” (92 min)
Luis Buñuel's 1949 classic Mexican film.
2-6 p.m.
Master Classes: Making Movies With a Point of View
Two master classes from experienced filmmakers, Cruz Angeles and Evangeline Griego, exploring how to make movies that matter. From 2-4 p.m. Documentary Class; 4:-6 p.m. Feature Film Class.
6 p.m.
KRTU 91.7 FM Reception
7 p.m.
“Chico and Rita” (94 min)
Animated film about star-crossed Cuban lovers -- Chico a young piano player with big dreams and Rita a beautiful singer. Nominated for Best Animation Film, Oscars 2012.
9 p.m.
“Mosquita y Mari” (85 min)
The story of two 15-year-old LA Chicanas forging a friendship that soon proves more complex and sensual than anticipated. World premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Winner, Best Narrative Film, 2012 CineFestival. Filmmaker will be in attendance. Co-sponsored byEsperanza Peace and Justice Center.
11 p.m.
“Gun Hill Road” (98 min)
After three years in prison, a man returns to his Bronx home to find his teenage son exploring a sexual transformation well beyond the man’s grasp and understanding. Starring Esai Morales. Co-sponsored by the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.
SATURDAY, MAR 3
11 a.m.
“Precious Knowledge”
A powerful and moving documentary capturing the fight by high school students to keep Arizona from shutting down their Ethnic Studies program. Winner, Best Documentary, 2012 CineFestival.
1 p.m.
“Esperando a los Bitles (Waiting for the Beatles)”
A delightful and entertaining documentary about Beatlemania, Mexican-style.
3 p.m.
Live reading of CineFestival screenplay winner.
“Los Perdidos.” Written by Gus Avila. The lives of three teenagers intersect in an East LA neighborhood. Produced and co-presented by Atta Girl Productions of San Antonio.
6 p.m.
Premio Mesquite Awards Dinner
El Progreso Hall, 1306 Guadalupe Street
8 p.m.
“¡Una Carrerita, Doctor!” (10 min)
A Peruvian taxi driver’s morals and ethics are put to the test when he picks up an unexpected passenger. Winner, Best Short Film, 2012, CineFestival.
“Water and Power”
Director’s sneak preview of a work in progress. The film is a narrative feature set in present-day Los Angeles. It is a gritty and powerful story of two Latino brothers -- one a dirty cop and the other a rising politician. Written and directed by Richard Montoya, from Culture Clash fame. Filmmaker and star Nicholas Gonzales will be in attendance.
Comments