The 2010 New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) Kicks off With Over 100 Films, Celebrity Red Carpet Premieres, Industry Panels and After Party Events Across New York City

NEW YORK, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) will open its 11th edition on Tuesday, July 27 with THE DRY LAND, starring America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama at the School of Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues). Red carpet events and screenings will also be taking place at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues). The gripping TROPICO DE SANGRE, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Cesar Evora, will headline Dominican Night on Thursday, July 29 at Columbia University Alumni Auditorium (168th Street at Fort Washington). STOLEN DREAMS (Sohnos Robados), 2009 Winner of the Rio International Film Festival is the Closing Night film on Saturday July 31 at the School of Visual Arts Theater. Tickets are on sale at the festival's box office at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the festival's web site: www.NYLatinoFilm.com. The NYILFF has been presented by HBO® for the past 11 years.

This year, the #1 Latino film festival in the country, will present over 100 films ranging from full length features, documentaries and shorts including several star-studded red carpet premieres. Celebrities invited to attend are America Ferrera, Jimmy Smits, Wilmer Valderrama, Michelle Rodriguez, Martin Sheen, Jaime Camil, Cesar Evora, Jason Ritter, Ryan O'Nan, Ana de la Reguera, Deborah Harry, Paul Rodriguez, Tony Plana, Manny Perez, Priscilla Lopez and many more.

"NYILFF is proud to provide the best platform for filmmakers, sponsors and audiences alike," says Elizabeth Gardner, Executive Director NYILFF. "After ten years, they know that our festival offers top-notch venues, staff, promotions, industry events, parties and media impressions surrounding their films and events. NYILFF is still the best investment in the Hispanic/Urban space."

"Cinema has become global and few other film festivals, Latino or not, represent the breadth and width of our programming at NYILFF," says Calixto Chinchilla, Co-Executive Director and Programmer. "Not to mention, the attendance of stars from Hollywood, Latin America and Europe that make NYILFF the memorable experience it is."

"We commend the NYILFF for continuing to raise the profile of Latinos in film by showcasing some of the most pre-eminent projects from around the world," said Lucinda Martinez-Desir, vice president, Acquisition & Multicultural Marketing at HBO. "They have established a foundation for Latino and Urban films and filmmakers that is unsurpassed to this day."

GlobalHue Latino, NYILFF's advertising agency, produced the Festival's 60-sec. ad spot, directed by Tony Kaye and written by Margarita Jimeno, winner of this year's "Watch Yourself" TV Commercial Contest. Open since March 15, the Contest called for submission of script/storyline entries for the festival's 2010 commercial. The winning entry was chosen from hundreds of submissions which were supposed to capture the culturally progressive essence of NYILFF and its mission to champion films by, about and for the Latino community. A 15-sec. preview of the spot can be seen at www.nylatinofilm.com and the full 60-sec. spot will launch on July 12. For a complete schedule of films, please go to www.nylatinofilm.com. Please click here to read the rest of the release....

SOURCE The New York International Latino Film Festival