THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL HITS THE ROAD Featuring Film Screenings, Documentaries, Short Films and a Family Event!

As Pennsylvania's only Latino Film Festival it begins with its slate of films at the Allentown's 19th St. Theater and runs into the weekend with films and documentaries also showing at Bethlehem's Banana Factory and Easton's Lafayette College. The event itself is scheduled for October 13-15, 2006.

Opening this year’s festival is director Youssef Delara’s, E.S.L (English as a Second Language)
starring Maria Conchita Alonso, Kuno Becker, Danielle Camastra, E.S.L won the award for “Best Film” at this year’s New York International Latino Film Festival. ESL is the story of two people from very different sides of the same culture finding themselves on a collision course with events that will change their lives forever.

Other film highlights include -

Film Features Include:
BORICUA director by Marisol Torres
THE STORY OF JUAN BAGO directed by Christopher Delgado
ENTREMEDIO (A PLACE WITHIN) film is subtitled, directed by Andres Ramirez

Documentaries Include:
ECHANDO RAICES/TAKING ROOTS directed by JT Takagi
MUSICA CUBANA directed by German Kral
RIKERS HIGH directed by Victor Buhler

Short Films Include:
LONCHE directed by Daniel Eduvijes Carrera
JUNITO directed by Cesar De Leon
MAMA SAID directed by Yasmina Cadiz
CHICLE directed by Josh Hyde
DIEGO directed by Anthony M. Puente
FRIJOLITO, GO! directed by Tony Mosher
FLAT! directed by Nanobah Becker

Family Screening
FLIGHT OF FANCY directed by Noel Quinones

For a full roster of festival films and special activities and to purchase tickets, please visit the festival’s website at www.NYLatinoFilm.com, or www.grupohala.com.

About NYILFF
Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) has quickly grown into the largest Urban Latino film event in the country. NYILFF showcases the works of the hottest emerging Latino filmmaking talent from the U.S. and Latin America. Its mission is to support these filmmakers, offer expansive images of the Latino experience and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino community. NYILFF’s current annual programming line-up includes the flagship weeklong film festival in NYC, a touring arm, an annual screenwriters’ lab, a new music showcase, special one-off screening events, a short film competition in partnership with HBO, and a high school scholarship program sponsored by Time Warner.

About The Hispanic American League of Artists (HALA),
Since its formation in 1994 HALA has served a link to area organizations, encouraging or creating multicultural projects and bringing Latino artists’ community and business community together for their mutual benefit. Through festivals, workshops, collaborative partnerships and audience participation, HALA teaches and promotes the appreciation of Latin American cultures and folklore.

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