By Crystal Harrell
The 10th NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival took place October 10-12—as the premier celebration of Latino culture in film and music. This festival represents a powerful evolution of Latino culture in the film and music industry.
At NVISION Latino, the mission is to spotlight the Power of Culture, champion diverse Latin talent, and provide a prominent platform for discovering and exhibiting innovative work in film, music, the arts, and technology. The American Latino population in the U.S. is 20%, yet only representing 4% in front of and behind the camera. As consumers, Latinos represent a $1 trillion market—a spending power that helps keep a healthy American Economy. The festival showcases the amazing talent of the American & Global community.
“For me, it’s nice to come out to this area where I know my family’s been working and worked in the fields over 100 years ago. so there’s a connection to the land that’s still here. I feel like that’s part of the Latino story. Even though we use the word Latino, which is a Spanish-derived word, there is a big connection and a great majority of us want to tap into with our indigenous self,” said Iris Almaraz, writer and director of the film Red Onion.
Founded in 2015 by acclaimed Latino filmmaker and photographer Danny Hastings, the NVISION Latino Film & Music Festival has been the pioneering platform dedicated to spotlighting the rich diversity and creativity of Latino and Latina filmmakers and artists in the United States. Hastings established the festival to address the glaring lack of representation of Latinos in Hollywood productions. Over the past decade, the Official Latino Film and Arts Festival has evolved into a vibrant community of U.S filmmakers and actors who uplift and empower one another. For the10th annual edition, the festival announced a special partnership with NTERTAIN Led by creative entrepreneur Lex Borrero, iconic media mogul Tommy Mottola and Latin super producer Tainy. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the festival, bringing together expertise, passion, and power to further elevate the voices of Latino filmmakers and artists.
The festival wrapped up with an awards ceremony at the Annenberg Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 12, honoring outstanding filmmakers across a range of categories, including U.S. and International Feature Films, Short Films, Drama, Comedy, Documentary, Sci-Fi, Horror, Animation, Experimental, and Ensemble Cast.
Ponyboi won Best U.S. Feature and a $10,000 prize, while Boca Chica earned the Best International Feature Film award. In the short film categories, Shut Up & Fish took home $5,000 for Best U.S. Short, and Andas Danzando por Ahí won Best International Short.
Additionally, Ben De Jesus received the NVISION Cultura Legacy Award presented by HumanX, a special recognition for his groundbreaking documentary, Untold History of Latinos, with John Leguizamo. The film features Leguizamo, reflecting on the rise of the United States and the challenges Latinos face in preserving their cultural identity, underscoring the deep connection between Latino and American history.
The festival featured exclusive panels and special talks with industry luminaries such as Xolo Maridueña, Jessy Terrero, Allen Maldonado, Val Vega, and more. Attendees also enjoyed an unforgettable experience with exclusive live performances from top Latin talent, including Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist, Sofia Reyes, and Alex Ponce—a rising star making waves in the Latin music scene.
