The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) returns September 14 – 20, 2020 with drive-in/ in-person experiences and virtual programming. The Festival opens with Habla Now, the fifteenth installment of HBO Latino’s award-winning Habla series. The documentary special shares personal stories from Latino personalities such as Amara La Negra, Dominican, Singer/Actress/Activist; Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Mexican American, Environmental Activist; Laurie Hernandez, Puerto Rican, Olympian; Diane Guerrero, Colombian, Actress; among others.
“Inspired by the resilience of the Latino community, NYLFF is proud to return with a fresh format featuring our first-ever drive-in experiences! We are proud to serve as an important platform for Latino creatives to share culturally relevant stories about intersectionality, diversity, and lived experiences in this country. Gracias to our sponsors for continuing to support our community of content creators and movie-goers. While there’s much learned this year, one thing we can all agree, the culture continues!” said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder of NYLFF.
NYLFF presents the NYC premiere of Charm City Kings, directed by Angel Manuel Soto and written by Sherman Payne, with a story by Chris Boyd & Kirk Sullivan and Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins. The film is produced by Caleeb Pinkett, Clarence Hammond and Marc Bienstock. Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and James Lassiter executive produced. Inspired by the documentary 12 O’Clock Boys, the film follows the journey of fourteen-year-old Mouse who desperately wants to join the Midnight Clique, an infamous group of Baltimore dirt-bike riders who rule the summertime streets.
Also, making its NYC premiere at NYLFF is John Leguizamo’s Critical Thinking, the true story of five Latinx and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School, located in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami, who fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher. FUTURO, NYLFF’s digital series returns with virtual talks about social activism, the business of content and a showcase of new web series.