Heading to the Des Moines Latino Film Festival this week? Here's what you need to know
The Des Moines Latino Film Festival is back and features an eclectic array of movie titles fit for viewers of all ages. The free five-day festival — which begins later today — is hosted by the Latino Center of Iowa and includes food, music and panel discussions with various film directors.
"We really focused this year to different groups of filmgoers and provide expanded experiences with a drive-in venue and a celebration of film and music in Valley Junction,” said Luis Leon, board chair of the Latino Center of Iowa, in a news release. “Film reflects culture through a unique and easily approachable experience, which helps break barriers, raises awareness, and is a unique educational tool that can address subjects untouchable by other mediums.”
Here's a breakdown of the festival. For more information or the full schedule, visit latinocenterofiowa.org.
Tuesday
The festival kicks off Tuesday at the Des Moines Art Center with a brief reception followed by a screening of three films: "Letters / Cartas" by director Eva Beunza; "Lili" by director Brian Ríos and "When Jack Came Back” by director Thor Moreno. The latter is a feature film, which tells the story of a man named Jack who comes to grips with his mother's Alzheimer's disease.
A Q&A session with Moreno, director of the 2012 thriller "IOWA," will also be held.
When: 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Wednesday
The Butch and the Baby Daddy Trailer from Barb Taylor on Vimeo.
Guests are invited to a reception before viewing "The Butch and the Baby Daddy/La marimacho y el papá del bebé" a short film by directors Karleen Pendleton Jiménez and Barb Taylor, and feature films, "Sublime" by director Mariano Biasin and "The Pool of the Nobodies" by director José Luis Solís Olivares.
When: 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines
Thursday
Attendees are welcome to enjoy a night of music, movies and fun. There will be a DJ, games such as bags and mini-golf and a food truck. Guests can also catch a screening of Disney's "Encanto," which follows the journey of a young Colombian girl, Mirabel Madrigal, as she tries to stand out in her extraordinary, gifted family. A screening of the drama/thriller "Intersection/Intersección," which centers on the story of a Chilean refugee, is also scheduled.
When: 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: Rebel's All-American Drive-In at the Valley West Mall, 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines
Friday
Friday's movie list is made for fans of horror movies. One of the films — "The Son Rises/El hijo se levanta" — is part comedy, part horror and follows the story of a teenage trouble-making ghost.
When: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Tallgrass Theatre Co., 2019 Grand Ave., Suite 100, West Des Moines
Saturday
The final day of the festival, Saturday includes six films — four of which are short films and two are feature films. The event will also feature music by DJ La Q Buena and Q&A panels with two directors. Among the films featured is "Daniel's Fight/La pelea de Daniel," which in part was created by Des Moines companies, Infinite Resources and Estuary Motion Pictures," and focuses on Daniel Andrade and his search for work.
When: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Valley Junction Railroad Park, 425 Railroad Ave., West Des Moines
F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to know about the Des Moines Latino Film Festival 2023
