The 2nd Mexican American Film & Television Festival will be held Saturday, May 20th, through Sunday, May 21st, in Los Angeles. The two-day festival is dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Mexican Americans in the United States. Films will screen on both days.
The festival will recognize the work of the Godfather of Chicano theatre and film director Luis Valdez (La Bamba) with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Zoot Suit Riots, and Valdez’s film, Zoot Suit, will be screened on May 21st. Confirmed Zoot Suit Talent is Director Luis Valdez and cast members Mike Gomez, Sal Lopez, Angela Moya, and Marco Rodriguez. On Saturday, May 20th, there will be a screening of The Cisco Kid, directed by Luis Valdez.
Also, on Sunday, May 21st, Flamin’ Hot film cast members Annie Gonzalez and Jesse Garcia will be present for the Flamin’ Hot trailer, and they will chat with them about the upcoming movie directed by Eva Longoria. The film’s world premiere was held at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, TX, in March and is set to be released on HULU on June 9th.
The Mexican American Film & Television Festival is produced by the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), a nonprofit organization. Frank Rodriguez, General Sales Manager for Searchlight Pictures, will receive the (MACEF) President’s Exemplar Award on Sunday, May 21st.
According to the festival website, “One notoriously stereotypical scene in a movie or TV show will also receive the La Chancla Award, which denounces tired old stereotypical depictions of Mexican Americans.”
Some celebrity guests and presenters: Actors: Pepe Serna (Flamin’ Hot, With Love, Life is Art), Enrique Castillo (Mayans MC, Blood In Blood Out), Mauricio Mendoza (Reboot, Promised Land), Actress Alex Meneses (Walker, Women Who Kill), Laura Patalano (This Fool), Jacqueline Pinol (Bosch: Legacy, Criminal Minds), Actress/Influencer Lizza Monet Morales, Producer Moctesuma Esparza (Selena), Producer Yvett Merino (Encanto), Director Jesus Trevino (Gospel Bill, Law & Order), Comedian Paul Rodriguez. Also, the following sponsors/executives: Tim McNeal (Disney), Philip Sanchez (City National Bank), and David Lizarraga (Telacu).
About: The Mexican American Film & Television Festival is produced by the MACEF nonprofit organization with the mission to change the narrative by educating the community about the lasting positive contributions of the Mexican American people (Chicano, Chicanx, Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, or 1st generation immigrants), and their rich culture has given to America, which is often unrecognized.
To learn more about the festival and the organization, visit https://www.mexamcef.org/film-television-festival/2023-film-festival/
Source: The Mexican American Film & Television Festival