La Granja, Special Feature Film Showcase at Latino Lens 2015
NALIP is thrilled to present a special feature of the work in progress film "La Granja" at the Latino Lens Filmmaker Showcase, October 18 at the Avalon Hollywood - "a powerful project, from a supremely talented filmmaker that exemplifies the creative force behind the NALIP's Latino Lens programming" said NALIP Executive Director Axel Caballero. "This is the power of our incubation program and the Latino Lens Filmmaker Showcase, featuring the work of talented professionals that are pushing the creative boundaries across media. We are also thrilled to specially highlight Puerto Rican creative talent in honoring legendary actor Luis Guzmán with the Latino Lens Legacy Award and featuring "La Granja" by Puerto Rican extraordinaire Angel Manuel Soto. Ours is a rich community of Latino creators from all backgrounds, this showcase represents the talent across the board".
"I'm thrilled to be part of the Latino Lens Showcase and presenting my Opera Prima "La Granja" to all the attendees while celebrating the achievements of our colleague and talented Puerto Rican actor Luis Guzmán. It's an honor to be part of the NALIP family and I hope my film opens a dialogue on Puerto Rico and the impact of a failed system." -Angel Manuel Soto
What people are saying about "La Granja":
“Cleverly constructed and arrestingly shot, LA GRANJA heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice…Soto paints a brave commentary on the very nature of humanity and the lengths we all go to ensure our own happiness. Seeing LA GRANJA on the big screen is the kind of cinema-going experience that is impossible to replicate, impossible to forget and absolutely necessary to anyone with a love for the movies.” - Evrim Ersoy, Fantastic Fest
WRITER/DIRECTOR:
Angel Manuel Soto
NALIP Member Angel M. Soto studied advertising at the Sacred Heart University of Puerto Rico. At an early age he began his career as a TV producer for WAPA-TV, and later moved to Art Direction at a local advertising agency. Angel later continued his pursuit in the film industry, directing his first short film "22weeks", which earned him multiple awards and presentations including Cannes Film Festival, U.S. Congress and countries like Australia, Thailand, South Africa, New Zealand and South Korea.
His second film, "En la privacidad de mi hogar" earned various prestigious nominations for Best Short at the HBO Latino Film Festival and the Miami International Film Festival and is used as a local campaign against domestic violence. During that time, Angel continued to experiment in the field of direction by making countless music videos, including the breakthrough videos for Foglia and Domino Saints.
His film, "La Carta", won awards on several festivals and was exhibited at Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Forward, La Havana and Miami International Film Festivals to name a few. Recently Angel just got involved in the production aspect of the advertising industry, co-directing a NHTSA PSA in Austin, TX and has representation in Puerto Rico with Latitude 18 Films, editing dozens of commercials for major brands and campaigns and directing commercials for Gatorade, Ocean Spray, AT&T, VISA, Sprite and Puerto Rico Tourism Company. So far his commercials have participated in campaigns that have won major awards, including Cannes Lions, Ojo de Iberoamérica and Cúspides. He completed his first feature film, LA GRANJA. http://angelmanuelsoto.com