News

Ninth Annual New York International Latino Film Festival

The Festival Runs from July 22-27 and will showcase over 100 films and more 
premieres than ever before.

The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF), presented by HBO, 
returns for its Ninth Annual Edition from July 22-27 and is proud to announce
its biggest line-up yet with over
100 national and international films, documentaries and shorts. NYILFF also
boasts more premieres than ever before including Opening Night's AMERICAN
SON, directed by Neil Abramson and starring Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and
Jay Hernandez, and Closing Night's THE MINISTERS, directed by Franc. Reyes
and starring John Leguizamo and Harvey Keitel. Other talent represented in
this year's NYILFF include Daddy Yankee, Laurence Fishburne, Taye Diggs,
Rosie Perez, Wilmer Valderrama, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Tyson Beckford,
skateboarding star Paul Rodriguez, Jr., Jesse Garcia, Emily Rios and David
Banner, many of whom are confirmed to attend.

 "We are delighted to be back for a ninth year with the most films and
premieres we've ever had," said NYILFF executive director Calixto
Chinchilla. "Also, the large number of celebrities attending this year's
festival attests to the strides made by Latinos in the film industry, both
inside and out of Hollywood; we hope to continue providing a platform for
Hispanic film talent in front of and behind the camera."

 The NYILFF is not only showcasing national and international feature
films, documentaries, and shorts. The festival will also hold industry
panels on such topics as film distribution and financing and special events
such as the Hola Mexico Film Festival (http://www.holamexicoff.com), which
demonstrate the festival's dedication to providing a wide milieu of
culturally relevant programming. The six-day schedule of film, music,
outdoor screenings and cultural events highlights the full range of Latino
culture, targeting different segments of the community.

 "HBO is proud to call itself the NYILFF's founding sponsor," notes
Lucinda Martinez-Desir, HBO's Vice President of Market Development. "We
have watched it evolve from a seed of an idea into the nation's premier
Urban Latino film event. Its ongoing commitment to the Latino film
community and the passionate support of its audience are just some of the
reasons why we come back every year."

 As the leading U.S. Urban Latino Film festival with an estimated
audience of 25,000, the NYILFF's continued growth and success is due, in
part, to its unique position as the only Latino film festival specifically
targeting the second and third generation, English-dominant, acculturated
Urban Latino -- an increasingly powerful demographic that has caught the
attention of Madison Avenue. According to the latest Pew Research Center
figures, Latinos will comprise nearly 30% of the entire U.S. population in
the next few decades and is growing at a rate eight times faster than the
general population. By all accounts, any marketer wishing to add new
consumers MUST target the Latino demographic. "We feel extremely fortunate
to be considered leaders in the U.S. Latino cultural landscape. The
corporate community now recognizes the buying power, sophistication and
influence of this progressive, multicultural community. We're just a
reflection of the voices we serve," commented Executive Director, Elizabeth
Gardner.

 OPENING NIGHT

 The 2008 NYILFF opens on Tuesday, July 22 with the premiere of AMERICAN
SON starring Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and Jay Hernandez and directed by
Neil Abramson at 7 PM at the Directors Guild of America Theater. On his way
home from Camp Pendleton for a four-day liberty over Thanksgiving weekend,
Marine Corps Private Mike Holland (Nick Cannon) meets Christina (Melonie
Diaz), a smart, beautiful young Latina. By the time they arrive to their
hometown of Bakersfield, a romance has blossomed. Opening Night is
presented by Suzuki Auto and sponsored by Heineken and Tequila Tres
Generaciones(TM).

 WORLD PREMIERES

 TALENTO DEL BARRIO (TALENT OF THE BARRIO), starring Daddy Yankee and
directed by Jose Ivan Santiago and George Rivera. Daddy Yankee, stars as
Edgar Dinero, a misunderstood product of the slums of Puerto Rico who
becomes torn between the street life of his childhood neighborhood and his
ambition to become something more. Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 PM at Directors
Guild of America Theater.

 DAYS OF WRATH starring Wilmer Valderrama, Laurence Fishburne, Taye
Diggs and Ana Talancon, directed by Celia Fox. The carjacking of a rap star
and the killing of a mother ignite a war across Los Angeles between Latino
and African American gangs in this compelling, explosive, intertwining
story of a teacher, a TV reporter and a gang member, who struggle to
survive in the crossfire. Wednesday, July 23, 9:30 PM at Directors Guild of
America Theater.

 BIG PUN: THE LEGACY. Directed by Vlad Yudin and featuring interviews
with Rosie Perez, DMX, Method Man, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg and Juelz Santana,
among others, BIG PUN: THE LEGACY is a film for the fans and gives us a
true portrait of a rapper to remember. Thursday, July 24, 9:30 PM at
Directors Guild of America Theater.

 THE MINISTERS, John Leguizamo gives a tour-de-force performance as
fanatical twin brothers, hell-bent on exacting revenge on the murders of
their family. But their plans become undone when one of the brothers
becomes involved with a beautiful police detective (Florencia Lozano)
investigating a series of murders. Saturday, July 26, 7:00 PM at Directors
Guild Theater. Sponsored by: Heineken.

 SPECIAL SCREENING

 CELIA THE QUEEN. Directors Joe Cardona and Mario de Varona use archival
footage of both Celia and her loving husband, Pedro Knight, to tell the
inspiring story of a little girl from Havana who became an international
diva. CELIA THE QUEEN is presented by Kodak Gallery, and sponsored by
Latina Media Ventures and Tequila Tres Generaciones(TM). Friday, July 25,
7:00 PM at Directors Guild Theater.

 For a full roster of festival films, special activities, or to purchase
tickets, please visit the festival's website at
http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com, or call the NYILFF hotline at (212) 726.2358.

 The 2008 NYILFF is presented by HBO, and made possible with the
additional support of Official Sponsors HBO Latino, Heineken, Suzuki Auto,
TBS & TNT, American Airlines, The Hollywood Reporter, Daily News/VNY,
Telemundo, Time Warner Cable's New York City Region, 103.5 WKTU, WNBC and
Impre.com. The NYILFF is also proud to have Absolut, Cafe Bustelo, El
Especial/El Especialito Newspapers, Kodak Gallery, Latina Media Ventures,
MiGente.com, nochelatina.com, Overture Films & State Street Pictures, Roger
Smith Hotel, Tequila Tres Generaciones(TM), and De Pelicula and De Pelicula
Clasico as Benefactor Sponsors. Special Thanks to Avid Technology Inc.,
BMI, Latino Public Broadcasting, Ethos Water, Showbiz Software, Tribeca
Film Institute and the Mayor's Office for Film, Theater and
Broadcasting.(R)

 About the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF)

 Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival
(NYILFF) is now the premier Urban Latino film event in the country. The
NYILFF's mission is to showcase the works of the hottest emerging Latino
filmmaking talent in the U.S. and Latin America, offer expansive images of
the Latino experience, and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino
community. Programming includes the flagship film festival in NYC, new
music and art showcases, free community events, scholarships, and a
nationally recognized short film competition in partnership with HBO. The
NYILFF has been endorsed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's NYC Latin Media and
Entertainment Commission since its inception in 2003.