The New York International Latino Film Festival returns.

The 7th Annual New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) announced its exciting line-up of films and events representing the best in new U.S. Latino and Latin American filmmaking. This year’s festival features some of the hottest Latin talent in the industry, including Roselyn Sanchez, Diego Luna, and Edward James Olmos. The festival runs from July 25-30 at several theaters in New York, including Regal Union Square Stadium 14 (Broadway, at 13th Street), The Florence Gould Hall (55 East 59th Street), The Lighthouse International, Ames Auditorium (111 East 59th Street), and the Imaginasian Theater (239 East 59th Street).

More than just a film festival, NYILFF showcases over 60 domestic and international feature films, documentaries, and shorts and features special events like Dominican Night, Cinema Under the Stars, NYILFF New Music Showcase, NYILFF Vanguard and NYILFF Family Weekend. The six-day schedule of events highlights the full range of Latino culture, with events for every segment of the community.

“It has always been our mission to provide opportunity and a supportive atmosphere for Latino filmmakers from around the world to showcase their work,” said NYILFF executive director Calixto Chinchilla. “This year’s offerings address major issues affecting Latinos today and help to spread awareness of Latino culture and contributions to American society.”

“As a company, HBO has been strongly committed to supporting and promoting the best of the creative Latino community for many years,” said Adrion Porter, director of Market Development for HBO. “Our long-term relationship with the NYILFF, especially with the Latino Filmmaker Competition, speaks to that commitment and to the pivotal role that the festival has been playing in the development and promotion of Latino talent.”

Opening this year’s festival is director Carlos Bolado’s SOLO DIOS SABE (ONLY GOD KNOWS), starring Diego Luna, Alica Braga, Jose Maria Yazpik, and Cecilia Suarez. SOLOS is Mexican director Bolado’s second feature film, following his successful and acclaimed 1998 debut BAJO CALIFORNIA: EL LIMITE DEL TIEMPO, which garnered seven Mexican Oscars. Luna (Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN) plays a Mexican journalist who offers to help a Brazilian student (Braga) who has been stranded in Tijuana without a passport. Passions ignite as the two go down a path they will not soon forget.

Other festival highlights include the world premiere screening of YELLOW, directed by Alfredo de Villa and starring Roselyn Sanchez, DB Sweeney, Manny Perez, Jaime Tirelli, and Bill Duke. An underdog film about the great American Dream, YELLOW follows the story of an aspiring young dancer (Sanchez) who despite all odds makes it the toughest place of all, New York City. Heineken is presenting both the screening and post-screening party. Audiences and filmmakers will also have the opportunity to participate in industry panel discussions and events to foster their understanding of both the creative and business aspects of the movie-making process.

The festival’s Closing Night Presentation is the winner of the 2006 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. A Sony Pictures Classics Release, QUINCEAÑERA, directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, stars Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Araceli Guzmán-Rico, and Jesus Castanos-Chima. Tradition, teenage sexuality, and gentrification collide as preparations are made for a quinceañera party. With her fifteenth birthday swiftly approaching, Magdalena’s biggest concerns are her quinceañera dress, the Hummer limo, and, most of all, her boyfriend. Sponsored by Maybelline New York*GARNIER, QUINCEAÑERA takes the audience through the entire experience of the festivities as it addresses one of the biggest issues facing young Latinas today.

Other film highlights include:
Domestic Features Include:
E.S.L. (ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE) directed by Youssef Delara
JUST LIKE THE SON directed by Morgan J. Freeman
PUSH directed by Dave Rodriguez
SPLINTER directed by Michael D. Olmos
THE VIRGIN OF JUAREZ directed by Kevin James Dobson
WELCOME BACK TO THE BARRIO directed by Jaime Mariscal

International Features Include:
A DIOS MOMO directed by Leonardo Ricagni
AGUA CON SAL directed by Pedro Pérez-Rosado
CASI CASI directed by Tony Vallés and Jaime Vallés
Ladrones Y Mentirosos (Thieves and Liars) directed by Ricardo Mendez Matta MALAS TEMPORADAS directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca TUMBA Y TUMBAO directed by Steve Carillo and Eduardo Ortega del Río

SPECIAL EVENTS

Dominican Night

A popular night and a homegrown tradition at NYILFF, Dominican Night this year will be presented by Chivas Regal and the Dominican American Professional Alliance. This night will include several great films from today’s emerging filmmakers giving insight into Dominican culture and displaying the contributions that Dominicans have made to New York and American society. The main feature is a Latino Public Broadcasting showcase presentation: LA REPUBLICA DE BEISBOL: LOS GRANDES DOMINICANOS DEL JUEGO AMERICANO (REPUBLIC OF BASEBALL: THE DOMINICAN GIANT OF THE AMERICAN GAME) directed by Daniel Manatt. A passionate story of the first generation of players from the Dominican Republic, this is a tale of heroes who overcame poverty, government brutality, and racism in America to achieve their dreams.

NYILFF Family Weekend

This year’s NYILFF Family Weekend will be presented by Cartoon Network and will offer a variety of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Activities include family-friendly screenings, costumed character appearances, music courtesy of 103.5 WKTU, free ices courtesy of Uncle Louie G., games, contests, gift give-aways and free beverages, courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company. NYILFF Family Weekend will take place at the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023.

NYILFF New Music Showcase

This year’s New Music Showcase will be presented by Mun2 and feature Artista Records’ newest R&B pop sensation, Paula Deanda.

Cinema Under the Stars

At this year’s Cinema Under the Stars outdoor screening, Turner Classic Movies is presenting the universal favorite, WEST SIDE STORY. Presented by Turner Classic Movies and sponsored by Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer, and WKTU, this night of “Cinema Under the Stars” will take you back to a time when the Sharks and the Jets ruled the New York streets.

NYILFF Vanguard

This year’s NYILFF brings some of its programming uptown with the support of Art for Change, the Association of Hispanic Arts, the Museum of the City of New York and Chica Luna Productions with NYILFF Vanguard (July 26-28). We are proud to bring film, music and discussion to the neighborhood of East Harlem. The program will feature a free open reception for the community, a youth advocating through media panel, past NYILFF favorites and we’ll close the program with a screening celebrating the 10th Anniversary of “Palante, Siempre, Palante: The Young Lords” with the special appearance of filmmaker Iris Morales and other guests.

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