New York Latino Film Festival - September 13–21

 

New York Latino Film Festival Turns 25 With 120 Films, Star Power, and a Spotlight on Latino Audiences’ $1.9 Trillion Influence — September 13–21

The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) is back, bigger than ever. Celebrating its 25th anniversary from September 13–21, the nation’s premier Latino film festival will showcase more than 120 films spanning Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. Alongside screenings, audiences can expect live performances, panels, and a renewed focus on Latino storytelling at two major venues: Regal Union Square and United Palace in Washington Heights.

For a quarter century, the festival has served as a cultural anchor in New York City, amplifying Latino filmmakers while spotlighting the enormous influence of Latino audiences in American entertainment. That influence is undeniable: Latinos spend an estimated $18 billion annually on movies, streaming, and live events, make up as much as 24% of box office ticket sales, and hold a $1.9 trillion national buying power. Recent reports show Latinos spend more time and money on entertainment than any other demographic—yet Hollywood leaves up to $18 billion a year on the table by failing to represent Latino stories proportionally.

Opening Night: Bronx Stories on the Big Screen

This milestone year kicks off with Joel Alfonso Vargas’ Sundance award-winning debut, “Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile Que No Soy Malo)”. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, the Bronx-set drama dives into young love, hustle, and survival, setting the tone for a festival rooted in both artistry and authenticity.

Festival founder Calixto Chinchilla calls the anniversary “profoundly personal.” In his words: “Since the beginning, we’ve fought to create a space where Latino voices are seen, heard, and valued.”

Spotlight on Latino Legends and Rising Voices

One of the highlights of NYLFF’s 25th edition is an encore screening of “Girlfight” (2000), the groundbreaking Sundance debut from Karyn Kusama that catapulted Michelle Rodriguez into stardom. The screening will be followed by a cast reunion and conversation. Rodriguez will also receive the NYLFF Impact Award for her contributions to Latino representation in Hollywood.

Other standout features include:

• “A Tiro Limpio” – Jean Gabriel Guerra’s Dominican thriller, starring Frank Perozo, Manny Pérez, and Celinés Toribio.

• “Aguadilla” – A Puerto Rican drama of desire and betrayal featuring Lou Diamond Phillips.

• “The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box)” – Ernesto Martínez Bucio’s Berlinale-winning debut about siblings confronting grief and superstition in 1990s Mexico City.

• “La Salsa Vive” – A documentary tracing salsa’s journey from New York to its revival in Cali, Colombia, featuring Rubén Blades and Willie Rosario.

The shorts program will also deliver a range of voices, including Martín Piroyansky’s satirical “Papota” and “A West Side Story Story,” an exploration of authenticity in staging the iconic musical, executive produced by Luis Guzmán.

Music, Digital Innovation, and Community

NYLFF isn’t just about film. The festival closes with a free outdoor block party at Quisqueya Plaza in Inwood, headlined by Dominican rapper and two-time Latin Grammy nominee J Noa.

Meanwhile, the Futuro Digital Conference returns, spotlighting Latino digital creators and entrepreneurs. Featured voices include Jasmine Ruiz, Tim Rivera of “Subway Mania,” and Bronx Native’s Amaurys Grullon. The conference will also host the premiere of “Natives,” a web series about queer New Yorkers navigating love and life in city housing projects.

A Legacy of Latino Film in New York City

For 25 years, the New York Latino Film Festival has grown from a grassroots event to a powerhouse platform for the Latino diaspora. Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO, Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, and supported by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the festival continues to align with New York City’s Latino Heritage Month celebrations.

As Chinchilla describes, this year’s programming is “a love letter to the audiences, artists, and supporters who’ve stood with us every step of the way.” With its bold schedule and powerful partnerships, NYLFF is more than a festival—it’s a testament to the creative resilience and economic clout of Latino communities shaping the future of American entertainment.

“Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile Que No Soy Malo)”

Juan Collado appears in Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile Que No Soy Malo) by Joel Alfonso Vargas.

Destiny Checo and Juan Collado appear in Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile Que No Soy Malo) by Joel Alfonso Vargas.

“A Tiro Limpio”