CineFest Latino returns with a powerful lineup of Latin American films
Banner Arts & Culture Sponsored by Cruz Companies
CineFest Latino Boston is an annual film festival dedicated to telling stories by and about Latinos. Their mission is to showcase the diverse, nuanced experiences of the Latino population and to combat harmful stereotypes. The festival returns this month for its third year and in the current moment, telling these stories feels more urgent than ever.
“Through cinema, we capture moments in time and often uncover deeper truths,” said festival founder and Executive Director Sabrina Avilés. “This year, our mission is clear: We will not allow our stories to be erased. Instead, we aim to amplify them — stories that reflect the heart of our community.”
Featured films this year include “Comparsa,” a powerful story following two sisters in Guatemala who use art and community to protest violence against women; “Paquito D’Rivera: From Carne Y Frijol To Carnegie Hall,” a documentary about the 16-time Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning artist directed by local filmmaker Juan Mandelbaum; and “Backside,” a tender look at the lives of the immigrants who work grueling hours caring for the world’s most prized race horses.
“La Bachata de Biónico,” directed by Yoel Morales PHOTO: COURTESY OF CINEFEST LATINO
The 2025 festival artwork features a reproduced mural by local Dominican artist Silvia López Chavez. The piece was commissioned in 2020 by the Prudential Center and was displayed there to represent creativity, joy and resilience.
“‘deLIGHT’ is a celebration of the little things in life that bring joy and gives us hope when we need it the most,” said López Chavez. “With so much happening out of our control right now, even the smallest act, a ray of light, a memory can lift us up.”
The festival also features two free community screenings, a series of short films screened at Zumix in East Boston on Sept. 18 and a series of family-friendly short films screened Sept. 27 at the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Hall.
CineFest Latino takes place Sept. 24 to 28 with screenings at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Emerson Paramount Theatre. Tickets start at $15 for adults with discounts for students and seniors.
The festival is about more than showcasing artwork. It’s an act of resistance, of uplifting and making space for Latino voices in a time when they are more threatened every day.
“These are stories that unite, not divide. Stories of joy, resilience, hard work, deep love for culture, country and family. Stories that show who we are,” Avilés said. “As storytellers, we are called to quietly and persistently document our realities. We are the keepers of our narratives, shaping how the future remembers us. No nos quedaremos callados. (We will not remain silent.)”
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