Houston Latino Film Festival

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Houston Latino Film Festival Houston Latino Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Latine arts organization.

Few films have left a mark on cinema quite like CITY OF GOD. A defining work of Brazilian cinema, director Fernando Meir...
03/07/2026

Few films have left a mark on cinema quite like CITY OF GOD. A defining work of Brazilian cinema, director Fernando Meirelles' Academy Award-nominated masterpiece introduced audiences around the world to a bold new generation of Latin American storytelling through its breathtaking visuals and unflinching portrait of life in Rio de Janeiro's favelas.

Join us on July 29th at River Oaks Theatre as we celebrate one of the most influential films in Latin American cinema on the big screen. Get tickets today by visiting the link at our bio or at theriveroakstheatre.com

📆Wednesday, July 29 at 7:15 PM
📍The River Oaks Theatre (2009 W Gray St.)
🎟️theriveroakstheatre.com

SYNOPSIS
In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. "Rocket" is a budding photographer who documents the increasing drug-related violence of his neighborhood. José "Zé" Pequeno is an ambitious drug dealer who uses Rocket and his photos as a way to increase his fame as a turf war erupts with his rival, "Knockout Ned".

This screening is part of CINEMÁS a monthly program by HLFF in collaboration with Star Cinema Grill! Bringing you MORE independent Latinx cinema at Star Cinema Grill locations throughout the year! Please subscribe to our newsletter on our website houstonlatinofilmfestival.org to receive more info on screenings and more! CINEMÁS is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance Houston Arts Alliance .

📢 Submissions to the 2027 Houston Latino Film Festival are now open! Submit your project by August 31st, 2026 to beat th...
15/06/2026

📢 Submissions to the 2027 Houston Latino Film Festival are now open! Submit your project by August 31st, 2026 to beat the Early Bird Deadline and save on entry fees.

To submit, visit: filmfreeway.com/houstonlatinofilmfestival

All genres are welcome... feature, short, documentary, experimental, animation, etc. If your film amplifies our community’s spirit, we want to see it! Head over to our FilmFreeway page for full guidelines and to submit your project. Submission fees are waived for Houston area filmmakers (*see FilmFreeway page for details).

This five-day celebration of Latine filmmakers, artists, and community includes competitions for features, documentaries, shorts, regional, and student films (including a $3,000 cash prize for Best Student Film and $1,000 for Best Houston Made Film). Enjoy film exhibitions with engaging Q&As, live musical performances, special guests, discussion panels, workshops, and more!

A visceral reflection on human chaos, cruelty, and tenderness, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu’s AMORES PERROS is back by po...
08/06/2026

A visceral reflection on human chaos, cruelty, and tenderness, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu’s AMORES PERROS is back by popular demand! We're excited to co-host this newly restored classic with and on Sunday, June 21 at 6PM! Get tickets today by visiting the link at our bio or at theriveroakstheatre.com

📍Sunday, Jun. 21 at 6:00 PM – River Oaks Theatre (2009 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019)

SYNOPSIS
A horrific car accident connects the lives of three strangers: a lovesick dog fighter, an injured supermodel and a hitman running from his past.

Houston, thank you for being part of the Houston Latino Film Festival 2026! Your support and enthusiasm helped create an...
25/03/2026

Houston, thank you for being part of the Houston Latino Film Festival 2026! Your support and enthusiasm helped create an unforgettable celebration of Latino storytelling, creativity, and community.🎬✨🎞️💜

As we begin planning for the future, we’d love to hear from you. Your feedback plays a key role in helping us grow and make the festival even better each year.

Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey: https://bit.ly/47JnYbp or through the link in our bio. 🔗

As a thank-you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win exciting prizes. ✨🙂‍↔️

We truly appreciate your time and insights—and we hope to welcome you back next year for an even bigger and better festival!🎞️🙌🏼

20/03/2026

We had the honor of receiving a proclamation from the City of Houston commemorating March 18 as the official Houston Latino Film Festival day. This feels HUGE! We are grateful to our community and to council member Joaquin Martinez for his support. After 10 years, we are so proud of what we have accomplished. This is a testament to the power of our community, and to the great need we all felt to tell our own stories. Salud to 10 more years!

Join us at for a free Salsa lesson hosted by the on March 21st at 7:30pm. The event is free, but RSVP to secure your s...
15/03/2026

Join us at for a free Salsa lesson hosted by the on March 21st at 7:30pm. The event is free, but RSVP to secure your spot.

The Texas Salsa Congress instructor will guide you through the basics and Salsa partner work so everyone can join the fun.

🎶 What to Expect:
• Free salsa lesson by the Texas Salsa Congress
• Music and dancing for all skill levels
• A lively celebration of Latino culture
• No partner or experience is needed.

Full festival schedule and tickets are available at the link in our bio! For more information, visit: houstonlatinofilmfestival.org

Access over 80 films, workshops, and panels during the 5-day festival with an ALL ACCESS BADGE for only $65. Students get a special discounted price of $45. Single tickets are $14.

We would like to thank the following sponsors and partners for supporting the 2026 Houston Latino Film Festival:








🚨 Step inside the director’s chair with acclaimed and award winning director Kristian Mercado in this hands-on, behind-...
15/03/2026

🚨 Step inside the director’s chair with acclaimed and award winning director Kristian Mercado in this hands-on, behind-the-scenes workshop that brings the filmmaking process to life. Designed as a candid, real-world demonstration, this session offers attendees a rare glimpse into how a film set actually operates—from communicating with cast and crew to blocking, and the on-the-spot decision-making that brings a scene to life. The workshop will guide attendees through a practical, live scenario that breaks down the directing process in an accessible and engaging way, making it ideal for emerging filmmakers and anyone curious about what really happens on set.

🎟️ WORKSHOP: Saturday, March 21st - 10:00AM at MATCH (Box 1) FREE to attend but must RSVP!

ABOUT KRISTIAN MERCADO
Spanish Harlem and Puerto Rico raised, Kristian Mercado uses film and comedy to explore identity, family, and oppression across race and class. Mercado’s NUEVO RICO debuted at the 2021 SXSW Festival, garnering the Animation Jury Award. Mercado directed his first feature film IF YOU WERE THE LAST (2022) and has several scripts in the works, including CHEECH AND CHONG's biopic.

Mercado has directed content for Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Awkwafina, Eric Andre, Spotify, Adidas, Corona, Miller, Topo Chico, Alienware, De La Soul, MF DOOM, Planned Parenthood, Gatorade, and Adult Swim, among others. He has also solidified a place in today’s comedy scene, directing specials for Michael Che, Ilana Glazer, Taylor Tomlinson, Hannibal Buress, Sam Jay, Phoebe Robinson, and Aida Rodriguez.

For the full festival schedule and single tickets, see link at our bio or visit: houstonlatinofilmfestival.org

Access over 80 films, workshops and panels during the 5-day festival with an ALL ACCESS BADGE for only $65 (Students get a special discounted price of $45). Single tickets are $14.

We would like to recognize the following sponsors and partners for supporting the 2026 Houston Latino Film Festival:







Join us at ALMAAHH Gallery at MATCH for a curated set by Mexican Blackbird, featuring Tejano and Soul selections that re...
14/03/2026

Join us at ALMAAHH Gallery at MATCH for a curated set by Mexican Blackbird, featuring Tejano and Soul selections that reflect the spirit of the musical documentaries screening throughout the day. Soul Searchin at 6:30pm and Take It Away at 8:00pm.

⁠Full festival schedule and tickets are available at the link in our bio! For more information, visit: houstonlatinofilmfestival.org

Access over 80 films, workshops, and panels during the 5-day festival with an ALL ACCESS BADGE for only $65. Students get a special discounted price of $45. Single tickets are $14.

We would like to thank the following sponsors and partners for supporting the 2026 Houston Latino Film Festival:








Join us on Friday, March 20, at 9:15 PM in the Gallery at MATCH right after the screening for the TAKE IT AWAY Afterpar...
12/03/2026

Join us on Friday, March 20, at 9:15 PM in the Gallery at MATCH right after the screening for the TAKE IT AWAY Afterparty.

Celebrate the night with a set of classic Tejano favorites as spins the vibes while La Vero brings the energy on the mic. 💃🏽✨

Event supported by and tequila while supplies last. Must be 21 or older to drink.

⁠Full festival schedule and tickets are available at the link in our bio! For more information, visit: houstonlatinofilmfestival.org

Access over 80 films, workshops, and panels during the 5-day festival with an ALL ACCESS BADGE for only $65. Students get a special discounted price of $45. Single tickets are $14.

We would like to thank the following sponsors and partners for supporting the 2026 Houston Latino Film Festival:








11/03/2026

We’re just a week away from Opening Night of the 10th Houston Latino Film Festival (March 18-22) and the Texas Premiere of AMERICAN PACHUCO: THE LEGEND OF LUIS VALDEZ! If you haven't purchased your tickets or badges yet, you'll want to do so now to guarantee a seat to what will be a sold out show!

Don’t miss this special night with Chicano legends Cheech Marin and Zoot Suit star Daniel Valdez, who will join the film’s director, David Alvarado, for a conversation moderated by Houston’s own Tony Diaz!

🎟️AMERICAN PACHUCO screening: Wed, Mar 18th, 8:00 PM

SYNOPSIS
Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story.

Luis Valdez recognized early on the profound impact of seeing one’s own humanity reflected onstage and on screen. He used theater to ignite change while working alongside farmworkers and Cesar Chavez, and he made films that amplified Chicano experiences. His work expanded audiences, bringing in people who had rarely seen their stories told before. Now, director David Alvarado reveals the fuel behind his legendary career.
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Full festival schedule and tickets at link in bio! ⁠For more, visit: houstonlatinofilmfestival.org

Access over 85 films, workshops and panels during the 5-day festival with an ALL ACCESS BADGE for only $65 (Students get a special discounted price of $45). Single tickets are $14.

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