LGBT Center Hosts Latin@ Arts & Film Festival

The L.A. LGBT Center teams up with the Latin@ Queer Arts & Media Institute to produce the second annual Latin@ Queer Arts & Film Festival (LQAFF) April 16-19 at the Center’s Renberg Theatre and The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood.

Short and feature films, digital media, art installations, and musical performances are all part of the four-day celebration, along with red carpet events, receptions, music, workshops, and Q&As with filmmakers and featured cast members.

A highlight of LQAFF will be the closing night film, the Los Angeles premiere of “Vestido de Novia,” on Sunday at 4 p.m. “Vestido” won Best Picture at the Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano in La Habana, Cuba in December 2014.
Inspired by her documentary “En el Cuerpo Equivocado,” about the experiences of the first transgender person in Cuba, director Marilyn Solaya reflects on Cuba during the economic collapse in the 1990s and the true story of a woman who is not free to disclose her sex reassignment surgery even to her husband.

LQAFF is dedicated to showcasing the stories of queer, trans, two-spirited, Latina/o identities through film and the visual arts in a space that builds on our rich and diverse cultural history. The festival also is made possible by support from Councilman Mitch O’Farrell (L.A. City Council District 13) and contributions from GLAAD and Self-Help Graphics.

FESTIVAL PASSES AND TICKETS:

The $45 Festival Pass offers admission to all films and special musical performances; $12 Individual tickets for films and special musical performances; $8 Individual tickets for seniors and students. Location: Renberg Theatre and The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood.

SCHEDULE

FEATURE FILMS, DIGITAL MEDIA AND SHORTS PROGRAM: Opening Night Film, Cuatro Lunas (Mexico) , Friday, April 17 Closing Night Film, Vestido de Novia (Cuba), Sunday, April 19 Shorts Program to be announced

OPENING NIGHT FILM: CUATRO LUNAS, Friday, April 17, 2015, 8:00 p.m., Renberg Theatre
This special showcase will screen four stories of love and disgust between men of different generations facing their conflicts and fears. In attendance will be associate producer Fernando Licon, and Alejandro Belmonte, the lead actor in the film. A Q&A with filmmakers will follow the screening.
Red carpet begins at 6:30 p.m. Reception with live music following film screening.
Additional information on films available at lqaff.com .

SHORTS PROGRAM , Saturday, April 19, 5­6 p.m. with Q&A following program.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM: VESTIDO DE NOVIA, Sunday, April 19: Time TBD.
Inspired by her documentary En el cuerpo equivocado about the experiences of the first transgender person in Cuba, director Marilyn Solaya reflects on Cuba during the economic collapse in the 1990s and the true story of a woman who is not free to disclose her sex reassignment surgery even to her husband.
ART EXHIBIT
Co­Curators: L.A. LGBT Center’s Cultural Arts Department
Opening Reception, Thursday, April 16, 5 p.m. Red Carpet and Reception.
The exhibit will remain open through May 2, 2015, featuring the following artists:
Manuel A. Acevedo, David John Attyah, Yukiko Avila, Daniel Barajas, Yasmine Diaz, Alex Donis, Martin Matamoros, Daniel Mendez, Byron Motley, Andrea Penagos, Luis Angel Perez, Cynthia Velasquez
WORKSHOPS AND PANELS:
Saturday, April 18, 2­5 p.m.
Workshop 1: Self­Help Graphics Workshop 2: Acting with Jon Imparato
Panel 1: GLAAD ­ Media Training
Panel 2: HatchFund.org ­ Fundraising with Stephanie Campos
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES: 
Thursday, April 16, 8:30 p.m.: DJ Joyful, Carolina Hoyos
Friday, 9:30 p.m.: DJ Joyful, Magaly “La Voz de Oro” Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: Cat Mendez of ¡Aparato!, Viento Callejero Sunday, 6 p.m.: Candi Sosa and Victor Cegarra
Musical performances,
Thursday, 6:30­7:45 p.m.; Friday, 6:30­7:45 p.m.; Sunday, 5­6 p.m.
See more information at Lqaff.com.