The Latino Film Institute announced the 20th Edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), which will welcome its first-ever Animation Day on Friday, June 4th. This unique industry day has a packed line-up of exclusive premieres, panel discussions, an animated shorts contest, and masterclasses.
Organizing the event is one of Latino Film Institute’s signature programs, LatinX in Animation (LXiA).
Representing the animation community, LXiA is pleased to bring forth LALIFF’s first-ever Animated Shorts Program. The program will be presented by Cartoon Cartoons, Cartoon Network Studios’ recently announced animated shorts content initiative. In keeping with LALIFF’s international lens, the program will feature the works of directors across Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Animated Shorts jury brings Manny Hernandez, Executive Producer for the upcoming Cartoon Network Studios series We Baby Bears, Doreen Spicer-Dannelly, Executive Producer and CEO of Spicerack Productions, Inc., and Carlos Zaragoza, the Production Designer for Sony Pictures Animation’s original animated musical Vivo. The selected all-around best animated short will be awarded a one-year subscription to Storyboard Pro presented by Toon Boom.
Animated shorts featured will include:
The Libertarian – Directed by Eugenio Gómez Borrero, from Valle del Cauca, Colombia
In the midst of fireflies and mangroves, the musician Papámarimba narrates the legend of The Libertarian, a haunting story about a ghost ship, a slave rebellion, and the eternal struggle for freedom. But his son, Canchimalo, no longer believes in these stories. He thinks they are just superstitions. A challenge that will bring him face-to-face with the spirits of his ancestors.
GNT – Directed by Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez-Brown, from New South Wales, Australia
Glenn is a woman on an unwholesome mission, but just how far will she go to conquer the clique – and social media – at large? In an antagonistic codependency, her friends, Nikki and Tammy, will always be there to take Glenn down a peg. Afterall, even Beyoncé needed Destiny’s Child.
Beats – Directed by Tamara Ajzensztat from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Olivia is a pianist who one day finds a stethoscope on her piano, and while her cat takes a stroll on the keys, decides to listen to its heartbeat. In that moment she has an epiphany: to search for hearts and create melodies with the beats they produce. This story speaks about that moment prior to artistic creation, that moment when we turn to someone else to find something that actually lies within us.
Malinchista – Directed by Flora Rees-Arredondo, from California, U.S.
When Mari, a mixed Mexican high school girl, goes on a field trip to the Museo de Antropología, she learns the story of La Malinche. It’s through La Malinche that Mari finds her voice. But is that enough to stop racist bullies?
Nuevo Rico – Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa, from Puerto Rico, U.S.
A brother and sister stumble upon a celestial secret that changes their lives forever and propels them to Reggaetón stardom, but they soon discover that their newfound fame comes at a steep price.
Our Perpetual Now – Directed by Jorge Aguilar Rojo, from Mexico City, Mexico / Greater London, U.K.
A man edits one last conversation from his memories in order to say goodbye to the woman he loved.
Revolykus – Directed by Victor Orozco Ramirez, from Hamburg, Germany
Several years ago Victor immigrated to Germany. There he lives in a small, old house which badly needs renovation. The modernizations theoretically should protect him from wind, rain and cold. Theoretically.
Roach – Directed by Agustín Touriño, from Cordoba, Argentina
Gregorio has a monotonous life, going back and forth from the factory where he works to his apartment, where he lives alone. One day he finds a cockroach in his cupboard and, instead of killing it, he decides to adopt it. This will change Gregorio’s life completely.
RELATED: LALIFF announces full lineup for 20th edition
LALIFF will take place from Tuesday, June 2, to Sunday, June 6, during which attendees will be able to access the full Animated Shorts Program. Judges’ decisions will be released Sunday, June 6th. For the LALIFF full programming slate and schedule please visit www.laliff.org.Tickets are now on sale and will be available to purchase through the festival’s site here.
Additional animation-focused events at LALIFF include a series of streamed Cafecitos (coffee chats) with industry professionals, Masterclasses, artist portfolio reviews, and the live premiere Crypt TV’s episodic horror for Facebook Watch Woman in the Book.
While Cafecitos are free to the public, tickets for Woman in the Book’s live premiere with Q&A can be purchased here.
Stay with Reel 360 as we bring you more coverage than ever before of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival.
