CineFest Latino Boston returns for its third edition!

Photo of Krists Luhaers in Unsplash

CineFest Latino Boston announced its third annual festival, which will take place from September 24-28, 2025, consolidating its position as a meeting place for filmmakers and Latinx cinema lovers. After two years of growing success, this edition features a diverse program of narrative feature films, documentaries, short films, Q&A sessions with directors, and community-focused activities.

To kick off the festival, CineFest will offer a free community screening on Thursday, September 18th, at Zumix in East Boston, featuring a selection of short films. This event is made possible thanks to a grant from the Boston Cultural Council and is open to the public.

The inaugural film, Comparsa, directed by local filmmakers Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson (Guatemala/USA), will be screened on Wednesday, September 24, at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, followed by a discussion with the directors. The film tells the story of Lesli and Lupe, two sisters who use art and performance to mobilize young people in Ciudad Peronia, Guatemala, to confront violence against women and girls through community comparsas filled with creativity and resilience.

CineFest founder and executive director Sabrina Avilés highlighted:

“Through film, we capture moments and uncover profound truths. This year, our mission is clear: we will not allow our stories to be erased. We want to amplify them: stories that reflect the joy, resilience, and culture of our community.”

For the first time, the festival will present a program of family short films at the Boston Public Library's Rabb Hall (Copley branch) on Saturday, September 27. This free event joins partnerships with the Coolidge Corner Theatre, the Museum of Fine Arts, ArtsEmerson at the Emerson Paramount Theatre, and the Boston Public Library. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite films, and the winners will receive Audience Awards.

This year's festival art features the mural deLIGHT, by artist Silvia López Chavez, which was originally commissioned in 2020 and symbolizes the joy, creativity, and resilience of the Latinx community.

Featured Programming 2025

• Comparsa (Vickie Curtis & Doug Anderson, Guatemala/USA): a documentary about art, community, and the fight against gender violence.
• Paquito D'Rivera: From Meat and Beans to Carnegie Hall (Juan Mandelbaum, USA): Documentary about the legendary Cuban musician and winner of 16 GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY awards.
• Backside (Raúl O. Paz-Pastrana, USA): Portrait of the migrant workers behind racehorse stables in Kentucky.
• Street Smart: Lessons from a TV Icon (Ernie Bustamante, USA): Documentary about Sonia Manzano, the first Latina with a regular role on American television.
• Mistura (Ricardo de Montreuil, Peru): a narrative film about personal transformation and cultural exploration in 1960s Peru.
• The Bachata of the Bionic (Yoel Morales, Dominican Republic): a story of love, addiction and friendship in Santo Domingo.

In addition, local short films will be screened: The Last Jews of Guantanamo, Where Is Samuel?, Woman Who Lives at the End of Time and Dancing.

Tickets will be available starting in September from 1-2-15 for adults, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information on the full program and to purchase tickets, visit cinefestlatino.com.

CineFest Latino Boston stated that its commitment to highlighting Latinx stories, breaking down stereotypes, and uniting cultures through the power of film remains strong.

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Sources:

• Cinefestlatino.com