LALIFF's five-day event concludes with Closing Night Screening of NOSOTROS LOS NOBLES and award ceremony in Downtown, Los Angeles, CA 

"ESTHER EN ALGUNA PARTE" FROM GERARDO CHIJONA RECEIVES THE RITA AWARD FOR BEST FILM

"PONCHAO" WINS THE LALIFF 2013 AUDIENCE AWARD

"ESTHER EN ALGUNA PARTE" WINS THE AWARD FOR BEST SCRIPT, HONORABLE MENTION FOR "AMOR CRONICO"

"PRINCESAS ROJAS" BEST OPERA PRIMA, HONORABLE MENTION FOR "WATER & POWER"

"JUSTICE FOR MY SISTER" WINS THE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY

"EL COCODRILLO" FOR BEST SHORT

MIRIAM KRUISHOOP RECEIVES NOD AS BEST DIRECTOR FOR "GREENCARD WARRIORS"

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 14, 2013) - The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) concluded its 16th event with the US premiere of one of Mexico's most successful films, "NOSOTROS LOS NOBLES," directed, co-written and co-produced by Gaz Alazraki ("Volver, Volver", and "Respete la Señales"). The Closing Night Gala Celebration was held on Monday, October 14th, 2013 at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown, Los Angeles.

The festival's biggest winners were also announced at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony sponsored by Cine Latino and Pantelion Films. "ESTHER EN ALGUNA PARTE" directed by Gerardo Chijona took home the Rita Award as Best Film. "JUSTICE FOR MY SISTER" won the award for Best Documentary and "PRINCESAS ROJAS" for Best Opera Prima. Lastly, "EL COCODRILLO"won the prize for Best Short Film. See the complete list of winners below.

LALIFF Executive Director, Programmer and Co-Founder Marlene Dermer quoted Abraham Lincoln saying "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other." 

The festival featured 62 films, including 28 features, 11 documentaries and 23 shorts. In addition to the film screenings, the festival hosted filmmaker panels on Saturday, October 12thand Sunday, October 13th with Closing Night Gala after-party presented by Cine Latino. LALIFF's highlights included, Pablo Ferro, 16th GABI Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition to his contribution to the entertainment industry in the Hispanic filmmaking community; more than 80 film and television shows, during his 40-year career.  "The greatest feeling in the world is when something has been created that no one has ever seen before. And you're the one who is seeing it for the first time." said Pablo Ferro

Winners of the 16th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival:

Best Feature Film (RITA AWARD): ESTHER EN ALGUNA PARTE

Director: Gerardo Chijona

Country: Cuba

Best Documentary: JUSTICE FOR MY SISTER

Director: Kimberly Bautista

Country: USA / Guatemala

Best Opera Prima: PRINCESAS ROJAS

Director: Laura Astorga

Country: Costa Rica / Venezuela / Nicaragua

Honorable Mention: WATER & POWER

Director: Richard Montoya

Country: USA

Best Short Film: EL COCODRILLO

Director: Steve Acevedo

Country: USA

Audience Choice Award: PONCHAO

Director: Josh Crook

Country: Dominican Republic

Best Director: Miriam Kruishoop for GREENCARD WARRIORS

Country: USA

Best Script: ESTHER EN ALGUNA PARTE

Director: Gerardo Chijona

Country: Cuba

Honorable Mention: AMOR CRONICO

Director: Jorge Perugorria

Country: Cuba

 Visit www.latinofilm.org for more information.