NYLIFF Delivered Plenty Of Thought-Provoking Pelis

By Michael Lopez

Even though the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) ended earlier this week, its films continue to resonate. The seven-day event brought out heavy dramas, cultural documentaries, and even some Español-tinged animation. But most importantly, it showcased a beautiful array of talented Hispanic moviemakers.

Media outlets all over the country picked up on the buzz that NYILFF was generating. One flick that seemed to capture attention was Andy Garcia's Magic City Memoirs . Though Garcia didn't direct the film, his attachment as a producer helped bring it to the forefront. Memoirs has been described as a beautiful coming of age story (and features a notable performance by Andy's daughter, Dominik Garcia-Lorido).

Chico & Rita also caught the eye of the critics, partially because it was the first animated film to ever open the festival. Drawn with a unique and colorful style, this salsa-inspired movie is set against the backdrop of 1940's Cuba.

But if you're curious about which flicks actually took home NYLIFF awards, look no further than Maria My Love. Maria won for Best U.S. Film and deservedly so. It's not political and it's not Latino-centric, rather this movie is about family and the struggles they go through after a major loss. Its universal acclaim makes us think writer/director Jasmine McClade Jizelle has a very bright Hollywood future ahead of her.

El Regreso won for Best Foreign Film. This one has a lot more Español elements mixed into its plot as it chronicles a man's emotional journey from New York to Costa Rica. NYLIFF's Best Director honors went to Aaron Burns for Blacktino. Described as one of the festival’s funniest films, it definitely has a thought-provoking edge with its explorations of the Afro-Latino experience.

Over 100 movies were screened throughout the week, each with their own unique flair and perspective. NYLIFF also showcased quite a few up-and-coming actors, including America’s Lymari Nadal (who we'll definitely keep our eye on). Though the festival has now wrapped up, you can still visit the official site for more details on all of the selections.

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Tags Aaron Burns, Andy Garcia, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cultura, Jasmin McClade Jizelle, Lymari Nadal, Movies & CineMás, new york international latino film festival, NYLIFF