NALIP’s Watch List: Latino Films of Outfest LA 2015

NALIP continues to bridge the gap! As a proud LGBT Latino content creator, it excites me to build a greater representation and greater community of LGBT Latinos within the industry and on screen. This year marked the beginning of a new partnership between NALIP and Outfest at our annual media summit that will continue to grow as NALIP prepares to participate at the 2015 Outfest LA Film Festival. To all festival goers wanting to support the Latino films at the festival, read on to see my selection of the three MUST WATCH Latino films at this year’s Outfest LA as well as a complete list of this year’s Latino films.

With the support of Outfest, NALIP introduced our first exclusive LGBT panel at the 16th annual NALIP Media Summit (“Character Sketch: Create LGBT Characters”). On the post-celebration of the SCOTUS decision (#LoveWins), no issue nor show was off-limits. The candid, enlightening, and hilarious panel discussed the emergence of lead gay characters. Manager of Current Programming at NBC Entertainment, Christel Miller explained how we came to a character like leading gay man Jamal on Empire - from our sheepish beginnings as the guest star “who happened to be gay” on sitcoms in the 90s like Friends. The panel led by The Wrap’s Alonso Duralde, also an Outfest LA Festival Programmer, filled the room with knowledge, criticism, and encouragement, no doubt achieved with the presence of writer and producer Angel Lopez as well as playwright Victor Vazquez.

NALIP will now serve as a Community Collaborator at the 2015 Outfest LA Film Festival and our own Projects Director Ben Lopez will serve as a 2015 Outfest LA Film Festival Shorts Juror.

As an Outfest LA Community Collaborator, we will introduce Carmin Tropical directed by Rigoberto Perezcano, our first MUST WATCH film. The film moves away from the cliches of a transitioning transgender and instead puts us in the middle of a successful trans nightclub singer who returns home to Mexico to investigate the murder of her best friend. The brilliant and compelling thriller will be one not to be missed. NALIP will be in attendance to introduce this eerie flick and we hope you’re there with us.


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CARMIN TROPICAL

(Director: Rigoberto Perezcano)

A brilliant and compelling thriller about a successful trans nightclub singer who returns home to Mexico to investigate the murder of her best friend.

Tuesday July 14 | 7pm | Harmony Gold

Although the film has ALREADY sold out, we encourage you go on the stand by line to catch this next MUST WATCH film by Peruvian Director Carlos Ciurlizza. Our NALIP member will premiere Sebastian: a flick that moves away from the Latino stereotypes of immigration and drug-dealing into the balance of a conservative Peruvian family and this Peruvian American man’s sexuality.


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SEBASTIAN

(Director: Carlos Ciurlizza)

US Premiere: A gay Peruvian guy struggles to balance his conservative roots with the sexual freedom of his newfound home in Echo Park.

Saturday July 11 | 12:30pm | REDCAT

Last but not least, I cannot wait to see this MUST WATCH film by Director Zoe Berriatua, The Heroes of Evil. This dark film explores what happens when those that are bullied have had enough. Watch this trio of teens seek revenge on their fellow students amidst their sexual tension. It sounds like Heathers and Jawbreakers made just for me.


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THE HEROES OF EVIL

(Director: Zoe Berriatua)

US Premiere: A trio of angst-ridden teens wreak havoc on their fellow students as their pranks turn dark and their friendship turns sexual.  

Friday July 10 | 9:30pm | Harmony Gold

Stay up to date on all the Latino films and filmmakers at Outfest with #OutfestLatino and check below for the rest of the Latino Films at Outfest LA 2015.


 

LATINO FILMS OF OUTFEST LA 2015

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EISENSTEIN IN GUANAJUATO

(Director: Peter Greenaway, Stars: Luis Alberti)

A bold and sexually explicit celebration of Sergei Eisenstein's gay coming of age during his transformative trip to Mexico.

Monday July 13 | 7pm | DGA1


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EVERLASTING LOVE

(Director: Marcal Fores)

This titillating thriller about an illicit affair between a schoolteacher and a student will leave you both turned on and terrified.

Tuesday July 14 | 9:45pm | DGA1


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THE GUEST / LA VISITA

(Director: Mauricio Lopez Fernandez)

The beautiful Elena returns home for the first time in years and her arrival shocks the household who knew her as a quiet, unassuming young man.

Saturday July 11 | 7:15pm | DGA2


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LIZ IN SEPTEMBER

(Director: Fina Torres)

This powerful film combines humor and heartbreak to tell the story of a strong-willed womanizer who falls in love for the first time, while on vacation with friends.

Sunday July 12 | 4:30pm | DGA1


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QUINCEANERA

(Director: Wash Westmoreland)

10th Anniversary Tribute Screening of the Sundance-winning, crowd-pleasing LA classic explores the sexual and racial tensions simmering amongst a traditional Latino family in Echo Park.

Sunday July 12 | 9:30pm | Harmony Gold


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SISTERS OF THE PLAGUE

(Director: Jorge Torres-Torres)

A sinister New Orleans ghost story about a haunted house tour guide who seeks out the help of a medium.

Sunday July 12 | 7:15pm | DGA2


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SEASHORE

(Directors: Marcio Reolon and Filipe Matzembacher)

Played Berlin Film Festival. Two high school friends travel to a secluded beachside town in Brazil and over the course of the trip their friendship takes a turn into romance as they have a sexual awakening.

SATURDAY JULY 11TH 2:30PM HARMONY GOLD


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BARE

(Director: Natalia Leite & Alexandra Roxo, Stars: Dianna Agron & Paz De La Huerta)

SATURDAY JULY 11TH 9:30pm DGA1

An ordinary girl's life is turned upside down when a mysterious and sexy drifter arrives in her sleepy desert town.


Shorts Showcases:

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SEX BY DA SILVA

(Director Antonio Da Silva)


 

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BOYS SHORTS: San Cristobal

(Director Omar Zuniga Hidalgo) and Tremulo (Director: Roberto Fiseco)


 

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GIRLS GONE GLOBAL: The Letter

(Director Angeles Cruz)


 

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INTERNATIONAL MALE: Young Man At The Bar

(Director: Julian Hernandez)

 

Raymond Arturo Perez is the NALIP Media Summit Coordinator and a writer. Follow his Twitter life: @raymondarturo