The NVISION Latino Film and Music Festival has announced the full lineup for its 10th annual celebration, set to take place from October 10-12 at the Palm Springs Art Museum. This year’s festival promises a rich array of cinematic and musical experiences, featuring four feature-length films and 35 short films that highlight Latino culture, indigenous communities, and LGBTQIA+ narratives.
The diverse selection of films hails from across the globe, with entries from the United States, Cuba, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, and other countries. Notably, nearly 60% of the chosen works are directed by women, and about 20% are created by queer filmmakers.
Lex Borrero, co-founder and CEO of media company NTERTAIN, praised the festival’s lineup. “Each film in our selection is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and diverse perspectives of Latino artists from around the world,” Borrero said. “This year’s lineup showcases bold stories that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the richness of our culture. It’s crucial to amplify these artists who have created remarkable independent features and shorts and to provide a space where they know they have a community to lean on.”
The festival will kick off with the screening of “Ponyboi,” directed by Esteban Arango. The film follows a young intersex sex worker in New Jersey as he attempts to escape the mob. The centerpiece of the festival, “Esta Ambición Desmedida,” explores an artist’s journey, underscoring the event’s themes of music and unity.
Other notable films include “Shut Up and Fish” by Raul Sanchez and Pasqual Gutierres, “All the Words But the One” by Nava Mau, “Iron Lung” by Andrew Reid, “Split Decision” by Gigi Saul Guerrero, and Felipe Vargas’ horror short “Hive.” The festival will conclude with “En la Caliente: Tales of a Reggaeton Warrior,” a documentary by Fabien Pisani that delves into the life of Cuban artist Kandyman, a key figure in the reggaeton movement.
Christine Dávila, NVISION’s director of programming, emphasized the festival’s commitment to diversity. “We chose to incorporate a rich mix of comedy, documentary, animation, experimental, music, and live-action genres, showcasing artists from a wide array of communities throughout the entire lineup,” Dávila said. “Our goal is to move beyond traditional categories and embrace the full spectrum of diversity in both the filmmaking medium and the themes explored.”
In addition to the films, the festival will feature a series of panels on Latin music, featuring prominent industry voices such as multi-Latin Grammy nominee Leslie Grace, actor Anthony Ramos, Cinema Giants founder and CEO Jessy Terrero, and music executive Areli Quirarte.
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