Editor

THE 11TH ANNUAL SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL: DISCOVERY AND CELEBRATION: MARCH 11 ­ 21, 2004

The Media Arts Center San Diego is proud to announce the 2004 San Diego Latino Film Festival with more than 100 films from Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Guatemala, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Spain and the U.S. This prestigious and internationally recognized film festival is the longest running Latino festival in Southern California. With a projected audience of over 17,000, SDLFF is also one of the largest. Attending filmmakers and fans will see over 100 films including: Nicotina (Mexico), Sexual Dependency (Bolivia), and Kill Me Tender (Spain). In addition, as part of SDLFF¹s "Guest Director" series, screen legend Arturo Ripstein (The Virgen of Lust, No One Writes to the Colonel, La Mujer del Puerto) has curated a series of 35mm classics that influenced his career.

This year¹s SDLFF program includes even more opportunities for the public to share the spotlight with over 100 guest filmmakers and actors onsite. Highlights include: workshops on Film Financing, Distribution, Screenwriting and Producing for T.V.; "Para la Familia" events (with musician and children¹s educator Jose Luis Orozco); the annual "Cine Cubano" Sidebar; SDLFF¹s "Top Ten to Watch"; a "Latinos in T.V." showcase; and celebrity tributes to acclaimed industry professionals like actor John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!, Empire), director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu (21 Grams, Amores Perros), and soap star Eduardo Palomo (El Misterio del Trinidad, Kingpin, Corazon Salvaje). After-hour Galas at the luxurious Westgate Hotel, ¡Arte Latino! Exhibits (with world renowned artist Alma Lopez), and ¡Sonido Latino! Concerts @ the Fest, will round out evenings with a touch of glamour, culture and rhythm.

Confirmed celebrities include: Diego Luna (Nicotina, Y Tu Mama Tambien), Freddy Rodriguez (6 Feet Under), Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy, Zapata), Adam Rodriguez (CSI-Miami), Roselyn Sanchez (Rush Hour, Chasing Papi), Rene Lavan (El Nominado, Enamorada, One Life to Live), Nicolas Gonzalez (Anaconda, Spun, Resurrection Blvd.), Gregory Nava (Selena, American Family, El Norte) and the cast from American Family.


The 11th annual event takes place March 11 ­ 21, 2004 at the Madstone Theaters at Hazard Center (off the 163 Freeway on Friars Road) in beautiful San Diego, California. "This is a great opportunity for local audiences to see films presented at major festivals like Cannes, Sundance, San Sebastian and Toronto, as well as many of Latin America¹s Oscar contenders," says festival founder and director Ethan van Thillo, "We¹ve selected a diverse array of features and shorts to delight moviegoers of all ages."