New York International Latino Film Festival 2011

A coming of age story reflective of our cynical times, Blacktino gives an honest -- and hilarious -- depiction of high school life as seen through the imaginative eyes of a bi-racial computer nerd, Stefan Daily, and his misfit friends, Laura Vega and Matt Miyamoto. Raised by his black grandmother in an Austin suburb, Stefan struggles to find his place in a mostly white high school, finally finding sanctuary among the eclectic mix of social outcasts in the theater department. Sad. Fat. Black. Latino. Nerd. It doesn’t get any worse than that!

When single-mother Carmen crosses the U.S.-Mexican border, it is part of a valiant effort to save her baby, Mateo, from the violence and desperation of her native Colombia. On her first terrifying night in New York City her son is kidnapped, never to be seen again… Thirty years later, Carmen loses her job as a live-in maid -- and then is diagnosed with breast cancer. With no one to turn to, she fears for the worst…until she finds herself being cared for by a generous and kind 30- year old doctor named Mateo.

When Brian Cherry, a sweet, sensitive young Los Angelino, falls for the beautiful, electric and damaged Jules, she turns his ideas about women and sex upside-down. Slowly, he is drawn into a twisted love-triangle that includes Jules and his best friend, Sam. When Jules eventually leaves him for Sam, Cherry embarks on a disturbing course of action that could destroy the lives of all three.

In the shadow of the George Washington Bridge, a pair of Dominican brothers, Javy and Diego, find themselves in a fight for survival as they try to outrun a ruthless drug kingpin. The streets of Washington Heights pulsate with danger on what may be the last day of their lives.

As 8 year-old Alex starts to have communication problems with his parents and other children at school, he becomes withdrawn inventing two imaginary friends, Astronaut Captain Harry and his alter ego, Sergeant John Cluster. When his mother gives birth to twins, Alex feels lonely and abandoned. Using emotional blackmail, he persuades his father to grant him his dearest wish: a TV set for his bedroom. At first, Alex becomes fascinated by the images of war and violence bombarding him through the airwaves. And then fascination…becomes obsession.

Three Miami private high school friends, Mikey, Eric and Angel, revel in their world of privilege and loose parental oversight, living large in the hip-hop lifestyle of parties, fast cars, fast boats and easy sex. But life in Miami can get a little too fast, especially if you’re young, and when the boys face a night of trouble that brings them face-to-face with reality, their friendship – and their lives – will hang in the balance. Magic City Memoirs captures the texture and energy of this pulse-pounding tropical paradise – and shows us what lurks beneath the sheen.

Beautifully shot against L.A.’s downtown skyline, this sensitive, coming-of-age story revolves around a young Latino player whose budding relationship with a bookish tomboy propels him to find out who he really is.

Reeling from her mother’s death, and filled with resentment over her father’s mistakes, Ana feels disconnected from everyone around her – and herself. But after being swept up by a new romance and a warm reunion with her half-sister, she sets out to find someone — anyone other than herself — to help. She finds a volunteer project in Maria, a reclusive hoarder who has alienated her own family with her compulsive behavior. As the two become unlikely friends and confidantes, Ana finds herself in an emotionally complex relationship that reveals some uncomfortable truths about herself as well.

Santiago is a drug dealer who agrees to let Miguel, a Mexican actor, follow and study him for his next role. With only Billy the cameraman at their side, the two set out to document a day in the life of Santiago. Through Billy's camera we see the story of a man struggling to survive as he juggles a world of prostitutes, territorial control and drugs on the gritty streets of Los Angeles. As the night comes closer to an end, all is not as it appears to be in a world made up of bloodshed and lies.