Charlotte Latino Film Festival Returns With 10 Movies, Hopes to Draw 1,000 People

The Charlotte Latino Film Festival is coming back to the Independent Picture House next spring, showing movies from across Latin America. The second annual event, running March 27 through April 6, hopes to beat last year's attendance of 900 people.

Women directors lead the way in this year's lineup. Movies come from everywhere between Brazil and Cuba, including short films made by local North Carolina filmmakers.

Actress Majida Issa will be there for the Southeast premiere of "El Bolero de Rubén." She'll talk about her experience making the film after it is shown.

"Captain Avispa," a cartoon movie from the Dominican Republic, is the festival's first kid-friendly showing. Children can join in dancing when Criss Cross Mangosauce performs after the movie.

Organizers Giovanna Torres and Alex Piñeres picked this year's movies through their organization Cine Casual. The money comes from the Infusion Fund, which helps connect Charlotte's money to art projects.

“It's not the kind of stuff you just get to see every day,” Giovanna told The Charlotte Observer.

All Spanish and Portuguese films will have English subtitles. Between movies, they're offering free workshops to help local artists learn new things. After the films, Charlotte artists and community leaders will lead talks with the audience.

Building on last year's success, this bigger program features both new talent and experienced filmmakers from nine different countries, each telling their own unique stories.

Charlotte's support through arts funding shows it wants to encourage cultural exchange. This support helps Latin American films find a home in North Carolina.

Movie fans can chat directly with filmmakers during Q&A sessions, making a real connection between the people who make movies and those who watch them.