7th Annual New York International Latino Film Festival Returns.

The increasingly popular New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) returns for its seventh year. This year’s festival, which is presented by HBO, will take place from July 25 – 30, 2006 and will include screenings throughout the day and evening, industry panel discussions, a free outdoor screening, new music showcase, special cultural events and NYILFF Family Weekend, a full weekend of family-friendly films along with indoor and outdoor activities, costumed character appearances, promotions, games and gift give-aways.

One of the leading Latino film festivals nationwide, NYILFF continues to expand its programming, reach out to new audiences and grow in recognition from the media, industry and community. In 2005, the festival experienced a 30 percent attendance jump and received considerable interest from both the English and Spanish-language press. NYILFF’s continued growth and success is due, in part, to its unique position as the only Latino film festival nationwide specifically to target the second and third generation, English-dominant, acculturated Urban Latino – an increasingly powerful demographic that has caught the attention of marketers and Madison Avenue. In addition to driving a young, tastemaker audience, NYILFF also consistently attracts Latino celebrities, both new and established, and top industry executives looking to meet the next hot Latino filmmaking talent.

Through the years, NYILFF has attracted an array of globally recognized name brand partners across the spectrum of sponsor categories, ranging from QSR, media, transportation and telecommunications, to automotive, spirits and a range of consumer products. In addition to taking part in existing entities of the festival, there are opportunities for sponsors to create new activities such as the New Music Showcase, a concert performance that in 2005 featured the Platinum artist, Keyshia Cole (A&M Interscope), presented by McDonald’s.

The founding and presenting sponsor of the festival is HBO, which has had an enormous presence throughout the years. “As presenting sponsor of NYILFF, we’ve watched the festival establish itself as a place where Latino artists and stories are presented in a culturally diverse environment,” said Olivia Smashum, executive vice president, Affiliate Marketing and Business Development at HBO. “Ultimately, that’s why we are here. We’ve also built a reputation as a place where people can realize their creative vision. This partnership, especially with the HBO/NYILFF Latino Filmmaker Competition, allows us to continue our work in helping to bring fresh talent to new audiences.”

Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is the nation’s premier organization to showcase the works of the hottest emerging Latino filmmaking talent from the U.S. and Latin America. Its mission is to support these filmmakers, offer expansive images of the Latino experience and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino community. NYILFF presents over seventy works in the categories of Feature Film (in Spanish and English) and Vanguard Cinema, which includes experimental works, documentaries, student works and short films; NYILFF Family Weekend is a weekend of films and indoor and outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy.

For more information at http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com