13th Cine Latino Film Festival

Thursday, October 9 at 5:00 PM

Filmmakers Attending: Merced Elizondo, Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz, Priscila Torres

Cine Latino presents a collection of short films created by some of the most dynamic voices in US Latino and Latin American cinema.

This program is generously supported by NewFilmmakers LA.

October 9 at 6:30pm - Cine Latino Shorts Filmmaker Mixer Following the 5pm Screening:
Celebrate Cine Latino Shorts with guest filmmakers Merced Elizondo (THE MOURNING OF), Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz (WHEN BIG PEOPLE LIE), and Priscila Torres (COOKING WITH CLAUDIA).

ABOUT THE FILMS

The Mourning Of • by Merced Elizondo • USA • Live Action • 2024 • 16 min • English, Spanish
Maribel has been mourning the tragic loss of her mother in the most peculiar way imaginable— by secretly attending the funerals of strangers. After weeks of lying and searching for solace through the grief of others, her inability to move on finally catches up with her.

When Big People Lie • by Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz • USA • Live Action • 2024 • 14 min • English, Spanish
When Big People Lie follows eight-year-old Elvis (Kaden Quinn) who must grow up very fast when the riptide of adult choices drag him and his family out to sea.

Plague Season (Época de Plagas) • by Gabriela Calvache • Ecuador, Spain, USA • Live Action • 2025 • 19 min • Spanish
In a world thrown off balance, a young girl is trapped at home, caring for her dying mother. Outside, droughts, plagues, and the primitive insects transform survival into a sinister reminder of life’s darker forces.

Dormilón • by Olivia Marie Valdez • USA • Animation • 2025 • 9 min • English, Spanish
Dormilón lovingly cares for the abandoned cinema he’s made a home. Every night he records his dreams, in which he is the star performer of the theater, rather than its former-janitor. On a stormy night, Dormi’s carefully crafted life is challenged when his nightmares accumulate and confront him. Dormilón will have to overcome his fears and embrace his insecurities to be a more complete version of himself.

Lengua • by Tahiel Jimenez Medina • USA • Live Action • 2024 • 16 min • English, Spanish
A haunting anxiety troubles Daniel, a recently arrived migrant, before his first day of school in the United States.

Cooking With Claudia • by Priscila Torres • USA • Live Action • 2024 • 13 min • English, Spanish
Claudia is a Salvadoran housekeeper in Georgia with a hidden talent for cooking. When a client books her for an unexpected cooking session, she hesitates to share her recipes. But a connection between the two will show Claudia that her culinary skills have a greater purpose.

PRESENTED BY MSP FILM SOCIETY

Cine Latino returns October 8–12 to The Main Cinema for five days of Spanish- and Portuguese-language films, special guests, fiestas, food trucks, and more! The 13th annual celebration of US Latino, Latin American, and Ibero Cinema honors the longstanding film traditions across these communities, showcasing a richness of stories, the beauty of place, and vibrant cultures through the power of film.