GuadaLAjara Film Festival in Los Angeles, presented by University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, Grodman Trust, the Festival Internacional de Guadalajara and formerly known as FICG in LA, closed a massively successful 10th edition with the film SUMMERTIME.
The festival ran from December 17-19, 2020.
“The Latino & Latinx talent that filled our screens, momentarily erased frontiers between our countries and this will continue to be our mission! We will see you all again in 2021!” stated Ximena Urrutia Partida.
For 3 days, the festival showcased curated films that supported its mission to showcase the best of Latin American cinema and to serve as a bridge for Latino filmmakers between Hollywood along with encouraging greater inclusivity. This year’s festival focused amplifying the diverse voices of Latin films and further engaging second and third generations of Latin filmmakers whose stories are fundamental to understanding one of the largest minorities in the United States.
Additionally, this year, the festival paid tribute to the leaders behind vital organizations that help pave the way to a better future for all Latinos. Mónica Ramirez, CEO and Founder of Justice4Women Foundation, was celebrated for her work to help migrant women. World-renowned comedian/actor George López (NO MAN’S LAND) was also honored with the Arbol de la Vida Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to creating a more diverse industry through the amplification of Latino voices in the U.S. Past recipients of this award include Gregory Nava, Patricia Riggen, and Kate Del Castillo.
The festival opening night film NO MAN’S LAND and closing night filmSUMMERTIME, showcased the Latino experience from different angles: along the border and in a major city like Los Angeles.
Three Masterclasses gave our audiences a behind-the-scenes look with directors, writers and animators how they started in their craft and the high and lows of being in the film business.
Her Gaze: A conversation discussing the uniqueness of the female gaze behind the camera. Each director shared how they found their passion in filmmaking, their voice and their experiences behind the camera. Participating Directors: Gia Coppola (Mainstream), Patricia Riggen (Under The Same Moon), Yulene Olaizola (Selva Tragica). Moderator: Maikiko James, Executive Director, Women in Film.
Aspirations through Animation: Animation is a great place to create a pipeline for aspiring Latinx filmmakers in particular those who may have stories that need to live in a fantastical world to have a wider audience appeal. It helps to bring different cultures together. Participants were Carlos Lopez Estrada (Dir of Summertime & Disney’s upcoming Raya And The Last Dragon) and Osnat Shurer (Producer, Ryan And The Last Dragon & Moana)
Moderator: Julia Ann Crommett, VP Multicultural Audience Engagement, Disney
Writing Without Borders: A conversation with writers who have no creative borders and have collaborated with filmmakers from the U.S., Latin America and around the world.
Participants included: Mauricio Katz Creator and Executive Producer Zero Zero Zero, Sebastián Hoffman, Screenwriter and Director of Time Share & Halley,David Barraza, Screenwriter of No Man´s Land. Moderator: Christine Davila, Head of Development and Production, Ojalá Productions
WORK IN PROGRESS (WIP LATINO 5) program: Supported emerging talent by helping narrative and documentary feature films in post-production. WIP LATINO 5 has championed the careers of up and coming filmmakers for many years. Past winners have included award winning films such as I’m No Longer Here (Mexico’s Official Entry to Oscars 2021). This year, 9 films from 7 different countries competed. The Silence of the Mole (El silencio del Topo), directed by Anais Taracena the winning film, received a cash award of $10,000 and in-kind services from El Taller, post-production. Other Winners of this edition of WIP LATINO 5 include, Fruits of Labor (USA, Documentary) receiving in-kind post production services from Chemistry, 19+36, and Cine CANÍBAL a production and distribution company based in Mexico City. All Those Decisions (Argentina, Documentary) receiving post-production services in sounds design and music composition from Pablo Mondragón/FullMix. Underneath The Bark (Argentina, Narrative Fiction) receiving sound editing services from OA Sonido and Roza (Guatemala, Narrative Fiction) receiving consulting and marketing services from Marketing Movie Runner, Secuencia + Estratégica.
For stills, Q & A videos, Masterclasses as well as tribute, please visit https://www.ficginla.com