New York International Latino Film Festival 2011

A young Indo-American man, Ashes, struggles in the inner city of New York to support himself and his mentally ill older brother. When a group of small time Indian gangsters offer him an easy road to wealth, he’s placed on a steady path towards hardcore crime. A story of traditional Indian values set in the unforgiving streets of New York.

Focusing on well known actors Taye Diggs, Terry George, Andre Royo and others, “Be Seen Be Heard” explores what minority artists must go through to survive – and hopefully thrive – in Hollywood.

A young Brooklyn boy witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and grows up obsessed with finding her killer. Thus begins his life as a quiet, straight-A student by day -- and a self-appointed hero at night.

When a volcanic eruption devastates the Caribbean island of Montserrat, three Rastafarian friends are evacuated to London. Feeling worlds away from their Rasta farming community, Lyndon, Shaka and Elroy reinvent themselves as "rude-boy" rappers and small time hustlers on the East End club circuit. Each finds himself torn between enjoying the thrills of the city and remaining committed to Rastafari ideals.

Vertus Hardiman hid a shocking secret under a wig and beanie for over 80 years. In 1927, at the age of five, he was experimented on by a county hospital in Indiana. A story of the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of unimaginable suffering. Narrated by Dennis Haysbert.

Dennis Wilson teaches history at Madison High. More importantly to both him and his students, he coaches the schools undefeated basketball team. The Madison Park Cardinals are a talented high school hoops team, sprung from the Boston streets and playgrounds to boost a 19-0 record late in the season, but struggle to stay in school and on the team amidst the turbulence of life in the inner city. On the eve of the state tournament, the MP Cardinals have some unique problems – poverty, single parent homes, a failing public school system, stars from rival gangs, a chilling murder rate that has snuffed out gifted players in recent years and academic ineligibility notices as the team suits up for these crucial games. Making history – that’s right around the corner. But will Coach Wilson be the MP solution, or is the whole crew getting sucked into the problem? Before the last whistle, MP pride will be sorely tested.

Snow On Tha Bluff tells the story of Atlanta robber and crack dealer, Curtis Snow. When Curtis steals a video camera in a dope deal, he gives the camera to his best friend, Pancho, and they start documenting their lives. He sells drugs, he runs from the cops, all while trying to provide for his baby momma and two-year-old son. But when one of the drug dealers he ripped off comes back for revenge, things in Curt's life start to spiral out of control. Through Curt's camera we get an unprecedented glimpse into life on the streets of the infamous West Atlanta neighborhood, known as Tha Bluff.

After her mother and sister flee the abusive hands of her father, seventeen-year-old Sweetness O’Hara is forced to fend for herself. Facing an uncertain future and determined to correct the mistakes of the past, Sweetness decides to take control of her life.