News

HBO’s original series, Like Water For Chocolate, has begun production on the second and final season.

Based on the Laura Esquivel novel of the same name, the series follows star-crossed lovers Tita (Azul Guaita) and Pedro (Andres Baida), whose romance is thwarted by her family’s traditions, forcing Tita to navigate magic and flavors in the kitchen as she fights for love and embraces her destined path.

HBO reveals that Season 2 “will continue to tell the story of love and struggle, rich in traditional flavors, set during the Mexican Revolution.”

“This will be a season of change and growth for many of our characters, particularly Tita,” said executive producer Salma Hayek Pinault, founder of Ventanarosa Productions, which produces the project. “We are proud to partner with Max and Endemol again for this new season, which will be an intense journey, full of dramatic but also romantic, magical events. I...

The HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate has begun filming its second season, which will continue to tell the story of love and struggle, rich in traditional flavors, set during the Mexican Revolution.

Based on the celebrated novel by Laura Esquivel, in its first season, the series became the most-watched Latin American content on Max globally and was among the top three most-watched series on the platform during its premiere month.

“Like Water for Chocolate is a series that we are very proud of,” said Mariano César, SVP, General Entertainment and Programming Strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America and U.S. Hispanic.

“The success of the first season shows how an authentically Mexican story can also resonate with a global audience, deeply connecting with its universe of flavors and passions. This success drives us to take the second season even further, betting on the high quality of its...

The first season of Like Water for Chocolate is coming to an end.

The Spanish-language romance Max TV show airs its Season 1 finale at 8 p.m. Et on Sunday (December 8).

The show is an adaptation of Laura Esquivel‘s novel chronicling a complicated and timeless romance, and was originally a 1992 movie.

Here’s the logline for the final episode of Season 1: “Rosaura sends heartbreaking news to the family; Pedro leads Gertrudis and the rest of the revolutionaries into a battle with his uncle; Elena reclaims her power.”

Naturally, fans are curious if the show is coming back for a second season.

Keep reading to find out more…

Like Water for Chocolate has been renewed for Season 2, which will also be its last season.

Salma Hayek Pinault, who executive produces the show, announced the renewal at an HBO and Max showcase in London in December 2024.

“We don’t want to do more than two.

Max confirmed today the streaming service has renewed HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate for a second season. The series has become the most watched Latin American content on Max worldwide and has climbed to rank among the top three most watched series on the platform during its premiere month.

The renewal announcement was made by Salma Hayek Pinault, executive producer of the series, during an event in London where HBO and Max content leaders including Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, and Mariano César, SVP of General Entertainment Content and Programming Strategy for Latin America and Ush, presented top upcoming titles for Max globally.

“We are proud to see the success that Like Water for Chocolate is having on international screens. It is an original Latin American production made with the highest quality standards that characterize HBO series, with an incredibly talented community of local creators and artists,...

The fire and passion in Like Water for Chocolate isn’t over just yet: Max has renewed the Spanish-language romance for Season 2, which will be its last.

Salma Hayek Pinault, who executive-produces the show, announced the renewal Thursday at an HBO and Max showcase in London. She added that the series wouldn’t go beyond Season 2 because “We don’t want to do more than two. We want this to be very special,” our sister site Deadline reports.

More from TVLineThe Agency Renewed for Season 2 After Setting Showtime Streaming RecordRivals Renewed for Season 2 at HuluSweetpea Renewed for Season 2 at Starz...

“Like Water for Chocolate” has been renewed for a second season at Max, executive producer Salma Hayek Pinault revealed at the streamer’s showcase in London Thursday evening.

Hayek Pinault, appearing alongside Max Latin America boss Mariano Cesar, said the romantic drama series will not go beyond Season 2. “We don’t want to do more than two,” she said. “We want to do something that’s really special, and [make sure] that we don’t water it down to try and make it longer.”

“Like Water for Chocolate,” an adaptation of the 1989 magical realism novel by Laura Esquivel, follows star-crossed lovers Tita and Pedro, whose romance is hindered by her family traditions. Tita finds solace in the kitchen, where magic and flavors help her embrace her destined path. A film adaptation of the story, directed by Alfonso Arau, was released in 1992.

The series launched on Max Nov. 3 and stars Azul Guaita, Andres Baida,...

Stepping into the world of HBO’s Like Water for Chocolate, viewers are immediately transported to the rural Mexican countryside at the beginning of the last century. Sweeping shots introduce the de la Garza family hacienda nestled amongst rolling green hills, while traditional dresses and architecture fill out the backgrounds. From the earliest moments, it’s clear that no expense was spared in bringing the period setting to life.

Costumes and production design feel authentic throughout, helping the show immerse audiences entirely within the world it depicts. Worn fabrics and weathered surfaces evoke a bygone era, allowing us to see and feel events unfold through the perspectives of characters living within that place and time. More than just aesthetic choices, these visual elements contribute meaningful context for comprehending the cultural norms and societal roles portrayed.

Of course, food plays a central role in the story, and HBO’s production does...

Like a fine mole, magical realism requires incredible complexity to yield something that is then perceived as quite simple. Fifty different types of chilies become something broadly described as a chocolaty sauce. Sentiment, whimsy, romance, the supernatural and some measure of grounding combine into a mix that even your friendly neighborhood culture critic might only be able to say works or doesn’t. And two people perceiving an identical mélange of elements might respond to the flavor profiles in wholly different ways.

Take, for a purely hypothetical example, Alfonso Arau’s 1992 adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s

Like Water for Chocolate. Already a beloved hit in its day, affection for the movie seems only to have grown since. It’s impossible to quibble with Arau’s tonal commitment, or with the sumptuous cinematography from Steven Bernstein and, in one of his earliest films, Emmanuel Lubezki. But by tipping its magical realism so firmly toward “magical,...

We are close to the end of the year, but there are still several shows on the way for us. If you’re already subscribed to Max, you are well aware that Dune: Prophecy (one of the most anticipated series of the year) finally arrives in November. But if that’s not your thing, don’t worry there’s more to watch.

First off, we have Like Water For Chocolate, kicking off the month on Nov. 3 with weekly episodes. Like Water For Chocolate is set to feature a total of six chapters. Now, this is an interesting one. The drama series showcases how traditions can, and often should, be broken, especially when they begin to feel like prison. Like Water For Chocolate stars Irene Azuela, Azul Guaita, Ana Valeria, and others.

Fans of the Dune universe only have to wait a little over two weeks for the arrival of Dune: Prophecy,...

"No one can tell you who you can love." HBO Originals has revealed the trailer for the series called Like Water For Chocolate, a modern adaptation of the book of the same name by Laura Esquivel. Flavors and scents embody the emotions and passion of a forbidden love. Star-crossed lovers Tita and Pedro's romance is thwarted by her family's traditions, forcing Tita to navigate magic and flavors in the kitchen as she fights for love and embraces her destined path. Set during the Mexican Revolution, the series also addresses the struggle of women to control their own destinies. The breathtaking locations in Tlaxcala and Mexico City provide an authentic and powerful backdrop for this adaptation of a beloved Mexican literary classic. It was also adapted once before into the 1992 movie. The cast is lead by Irene Azuela as Mamá Elena, with Azul Guaita as Tita. Ana Valeria Becerril gives life to Rosaura,...

The new live-action, period romance drama series “Like Water for Chocolate”, set during the ‘Mexican Revolution” stars Irene Azuela and Ari Brickman, streaming November 3, 2024 on Max:

“…due to ingrained family customs, ‘Tita de la Garza’ and ‘Pedro Múzquiz’, two souls deeply in love cannot be together.

“Now she will have to choose between fighting for love or following her family's predetermined path.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

And you thought your fritters were magic.

HBO has released the trailer for its latest original series, “Like Water for Chocolate,” an adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s original novel of the same name. There was a 1992 Miramax film adaptation directed by Alfonso Arau, but this is the first time Tita and Pedro’s love story was made for the small screen (though TV’s have gotten pretty big since ’92). The series has been in development for TV since 2017.

In “Like Water for Chocolate”, Tita and Pedro are in love, but Tita’s mother condemns her for the single life. You could do that back then: “Like Water for Chocolate” is set amid the Mexican Revolution, so a bit more than a century ago. But Tita and Pedro aren’t going down without a fight — for Tita, that resistance starts in the kitchen and ends with transformations at the table.

You see,...

“Like Water for Chocolate,” HBO’s upcoming series adaptation of Laura Esquivel’s Mexican literary classic executive produced by Salma Hayek Pinault, has released its official trailer.

Set during the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century, the six-episode series follows Tita de la Garza (Azul Guaita) and Pedro Múzquiz (Andrés Baida), “two souls deeply in love, yet unable to be together due to entrenched family customs,” according to the show’s synopsis. “The protagonists navigate a world of magical realism and rich flavors as Tita struggles between the destiny imposed on her by her family and her fight for love. Along the way, the audience will witness her greatest refuge: the kitchen. For Tita, her magical connection to cooking becomes an active resistance against oppression, allowing her to channel her deepest desires and passions into her recipes, transforming those who taste them.”

Hayek Pinault, who executive produced the series through her Ventanarosa Productions banner,...

Prime Video has announced the lineup of movies and TV shows that will be available on the service in October. The Prime Video October 2024 lineup includes new Amazon original movies, TV shows, and specials. Below, you can also view the titles available on Amazon Freevee.

Members can look forward to Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, Brothers, Citadel: Diana, Faceoff: Inside the NHL, The Devil’s Hour Season 2, House of Spoils, Killer Cakes, The Legend of Vox Machina Season 3, Like a Dragon: Yakuza, The Office (Australia), The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, and more.

And, to celebrate James Bond Day on October 5, all 25 James Bond movies are now streaming on Prime Video as well!

House of Spoils Prime Video Originals

The Prime Video October 2024 programming includes the following Originals.

House of Spoils (2024 – Streaming October 3)

From Blumhouse, House of Spoils follows an ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) as she opens a restaurant on a...

The new historical romance drama series “Like Water for Chocolate”, set during the ‘Mexican Revolution” stars Irene Azuela and Ari Brickman, streaming November 3, 2024 on Max:

“…due to ingrained family customs, ‘Tita de la Garza’ and ‘Pedro Múzquiz’, two souls deeply in love cannot be together. Now she will have to choose between fighting for love or following her family's predetermined path.”

Click the images to enlarge…...

The HBO Original series Like Water for Chocolate debuts on Sunday, November 3, on HBO Latino in the U.S. and will be available to stream globally on Max, where the platform is available. New episodes will debut weekly.

An original production from Warner Bros. Discovery, the series is produced by Ventanarosa Productions, Endemol Shine North America, and Endemol Shine Boomdog.

Like Water for Chocolate explores the idea that sometimes traditions can become a prison, an obstacle for love. Tita de la Garza and Pedro Múzquiz are two souls deeply in love yet unable to be together due to entrenched family customs.

The protagonists navigate a world of magical realism and rich flavors as Tita struggles between the destiny imposed on her by her family and her fight for love. Along the way, the audience will witness her greatest refuge: the kitchen.

For Tita, her magical connection to cooking becomes an active resistance against oppression,...

Peacock has released the trailer for “Teacup,” a new horror thriller series from James Wan’s Atomic Monster, which has been adapted by showrunner Ian McCulloch.

Per the official logline, “‘Teacup’ follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive.” Cast members include Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, Chaske Spencer, Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Caleb Dolden, Emilie Bierre and Luciano Leroux.

Executive producers include Wan, Michael Clear and Rob Hackett for Atomic Monster, Francisca X. Hu, Kevin Tancharoen and McCammon. “Teacup” is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The first two episodes of the series, which was inspired by the novel “Stinger” by Robert McCammon, premiere on Peacock Oct. 10, followed by two new episodes every week through Halloween.

Watch the trailer below.

Programming

All 134 episodes of “Suits” are now available to stream via...

BlondePhoto: Netflix

Young Adam (2003): A young drifter working on a river barge disrupts his employers’ lives while hiding the fact that he knows more about a dead woman found in the river than he admits. Starring: Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Peter Mullan, Emily Mortimer.

Bad Education (2004): An examination...

New Duke Of Edinburgh Opens Sky Studios Sound Stage

Prince Edward, the new Duke of Edinburgh, has opened a sound stage at Sky Studios Elstree. The former Earl of Wessex, who is a Patron of the Production Guild of Great Britain, headed to the Hertfordshire film and TV studio the day before he took on his father Prince Philip’s former title. Last Thursday, he toured the site, meeting local charity partners and young talent, before unveiling a plaque on Stage 5 to commemorate the significant moment for the UK’s film and TV sector as it marks the largest brand-new studio facility to open in the UK for decades. Sky Studios Elstree will house 13 sound stages and Sky has said it will generate an additional £3B ($3.6B) of production investment in the UK creative sector during its first five years. Buckingham Palace announced Prince Edward would be given the Duke...

Mónica Barbaro has been cast opposite Mexican star Diego Boneta as the female-lead in Boneta’s film “At Midnight,” one of Paramount Plus’ banner upcoming Latin American originals produced by ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis).

Set to start production shortly for a 2022 release on Paramount Plus, the romantic comedy turns on two people who have made the “safe” choice not to fall in love – until fate throws them together.

In “At Midnight,” Barbaro will play Jessica, an on-the-rise gorgeous movie star suffering an unreliable celebrity boyfriend; Boneta portrays Alejandro, whose predictable life is proceeding according to his well-thought-out plan.

“At Midnight” looks set to be a Spanish/English-language movie, Boneta speaking in Spanish and Barbaro in English.

“Dating & New York” helmer Jonah Feingold is set to direct from a screenplay based on an original idea by Giovanni Porta and written by Porta, Maria Hinojos, and Feingold. Boneta’s production company...

In a large coup for its ambitions in Latin America and beyond, ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) unveiled Wednesday an exclusive deal with Argentina’s Juan José Campanella, writer-director of the Academy Award winning “The Secret in Their Eyes.”

The agreement follows smartly on production of a first season of “The Envoys” (“Los Enviados”), a six-part action thriller series starring Luis Gerardo Méndez, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, and Irene Azuela.

Turning on two Vatican envoys dispatched to a Mexican village to discover the truth behind a priest’s alleged miracle healing, “The Envoys” was early fruit of a first-look deal signed in between Vis and Campanella’s Buenos Aires-based production company, 100 Bares Productions. The first season will premiere later this year on ViacomCBS’ premium streaming service Paramount Plus in Latin America. Season two of “The Envoys” is currently in development under Campanella.

Under the terms of the exclusive agreement, Campanella will write,...

Academy Award winning director Juan José Campanella (“The Secret in Their Eyes”) has gone into production in Mexico on the first title from ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) for Paramount Plus, “Los Enviados,” an eight-part series action thriller about “two men searching for their souls,” the director told Variety.

Vis has shared in exclusivity with Variety some first photos from the shoot.

First fruit of a first look deal between Vis and Campanella, “Los Enviados” has also added to key cast Irene Azuela, star of Mexican movies such as “Miss Bala” and “The Obscure Spring,” as well as Netflix series “Monarca.”

Azuela joins two of the Spanish-world’s biggest names, Luis Gerardo Méndez, an actor with a rich comedic vein, exploited in Netflix soccer club comedy “Club de Cuervos,” and Miguel Angel Silvestre. A sex symbol thanks to his breakout role as El Duque in “Sin Tetas No Hay Paraíso,” Sylvestre...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Alcon Television Group has acquired the rights to Diego Gutierrez’s Mexican wrestling drama Luchador.

Written by Gutierrez, Luchador is a character-driven action drama about a fictional, Lucha Libre-inspired city run by colorful gangs of Mexican Wrestlers at the brink of tyranny, and the unlikely young wrestler who becomes its champion and savior, both inside and outside the ring.

Gutierrez will serve as executive producer alongside Alcon Television Group’s Andrew Kosove, Broderick Johnson and Ben Roberts. Roberts brought the project into Alcon, which will take the project to market later this year.

“We are thrilled to work with Diego in this exciting world he has envisioned for these rich characters,” said Kosove and Johnson. “Creatively we see this as ripe ground for many types of stories in many different mediums.”

Gutierrez is best known as...

Producer-star ‘proud’ to show Mexico as ‘vibrant, sophisticated and culturally rich nation’.

Picking up its latest original series from Mexico, Netflix has ordered Monarca, a family drama produced by Salma Hayek’s Ventanarosa Productions.

Created by Diego Gutierrez (a writer and producer with credits including From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series and Without A Trace) the series is written by Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici and Sandra García Velten. Gutierrez will serve as showrunner.

Irene Azuela and Juan Manuel Bernal will star in the multi-generational tale about the battle that ensues when a member of a wealthy Mexican...

Netflix has ordered a drama set in the world of Mexican billionaires titled “Monarca.”

The series, which was originally in development at ABC back in 2015, is described as a high stakes, multi-generational family saga about a tequila-born Mexican business empire, and the battle that ensues when a member of the family decides to fight the dirty system her family helped create. The series will go into production this fall and is slated to debut in 2019.

Starring Irene Azuela and Juan Manuel Bernal, “Monarca” is being produced by Salma Hayek’s Ventanarosa, Lemon Studios, and Michael McDonald from Stearns Castle. The series was created by Diego Gutierrez who will also serve as showrunner, and is written by Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici, and Sandra García Velten.

“I’m extremely excited to partner with Netflix, and to be working with amazing Mexican talent in front of and behind the camera,...

Netflix has ordered Monarca, an original drama series from Mexico produced by Salma Hayek’s Ventanarosa Productions, Lemon Studios and Michael McDonald’s Stearns Castle. Irene Azuela (Quemar las Naves) and Juan Manuel Bernal (Capadocia) are attached to star, and production is scheduled to begin in the fall for a 2019 global premiere.

Created by Diego Gutierrez, who also serves as showrunner, and written by Lemon Studios’ Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici and Sandra García Velten, Monarca will follow the world of wealthy Mexican elites riddled by corruption, scandal and violence. Set in the powerful world of Mexican billionaires, Monarca is a high stakes, multi-generational family saga about a tequila-born Mexican business empire, and the battle that ensues when a member of the family decides to fight the dirty system her family helped create.

“I’m extremely excited to partner with Netflix, and to be working with amazing Mexican...

Netflix has greenlit another international series.

The streaming giant has handed out a series order to Mexican drama Monarca, starring Irene Azuela (Quemar las Naves, El hotel de los secretos, Las oscuras primaveras). The new series, which will begin production this fall and will launch globally in 2019, will follow the world of wealthy Mexican elites riddled by corruption, scandal and violence.

Produced by Salma Hayek’s company Ventanarosa, along with Lemon Studios and Stearns Castle, Monarca is described as a high-stakes, multi-generational family saga about a tequila-born Mexican business empire and the battle that ensues when a member of the family ...

Ernesto Contreras’s Sundance audience award winner I Dream In Another Language among roster in Mexico.

Top brass at the festival in Jalisco, Mexico, announced on Wednesday the programme.

Selections include José Permar and Omar Robles’ short and Berlin 2016 premiere Aurelia And Pedro, and David Pablos’s The Chosen Ones, which screened in Un Certain Regard section in Cannes 2015.

Highlights of the ArteCareyes Film & Arts Festival include a day-long music festival and a contemporary art programme that features a public art trail, in lieu of traditional galleries, and solo artist exhibitions.

In addition, ArteCareyes will host ‘Acting For Film’ labs to be led by the following directors: Lucía Carreras, Ana Cristina Barragán, Catalina Aguilar, Diego Ros, Daniel Castro, Pablos, Anwar Safa and actors Karla Souza, Irene Azuela, Darío Yazbek, Fernando Alvarez Rebeil, and José María Yazpik.

The festival was founded in 2010 to showcase contemporary Mexican talent in film, music and contemporary art and runs from March 22-26.

The Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles (Ficg in La) - presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta has announced its lineup. "Messi" directed by Álex de la Iglesia, will be the Opening Night film for the 2015 Festival. This documentary portrays today’s greatest soccer player who at age 11 ran the risk of seeing his career ending before it started. With informal interviews, re-enactments, and spectacular footage of Messi’s legendary exploits, this film tells the incredible, true story of his rise to glory.

The 2015 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fifth year and runs from Thursday, August 27 to Sunday, August 30, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG30, which ran from March 6-15, 2015 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.

The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.

Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas, panels and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.

“Ficg in La 2015 represents the culmination of five years of continuous dedication and passion to further the Latino arts and cinema in the U.S. What was once a tiny three-day showcase of Latino and Ibero-American cinema, is now a lively, eventful film festival, filled with industry events, work-in-progress competitions, family-oriented programs and panel discussions. Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for Ficg in La to thrive, as it is a patchwork of so many different cultures and communities from across Latin America; however, we hope that our audience is as diverse as the city itself, because many of these stories universally relate to communities of all backgrounds,” said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.

“In five years, the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles (Ficg in La), has aimed to promote the Mexican and Latin American cinema so that people from elsewhere can enjoy and appreciate the great productions that have been made in Ibero-America; and likewise we have done everything possible to make filmmakers from the Us and Canada get interested in addressing Latino themes and help them honing their skills to provide stronger ground for their projects,”said Iván Trujillo Bolio, Director of Ficg.

Among the celebrities who have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.

Read More: LatinoBuzz: Duo Ben Odell and Eugenio Derbez of 3Pas Studios

Eugenio Derbez will receive the Tree of Life award in representation of the Derbez dynasty. Oscar winner Eugenio Caballero (Best Art Direction, "Pan's Labyrinth"), Ofelia Medina (Mexican actress), Josep Parera (Entertainment Editor La Opinion) and Lpb (Latino Public Broadcasting) will also receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero-American culture. Previous recipients include Demián Bichir (actor), Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Rubén Luengas (journalist), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).

Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2 and DocuLab.2 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Friday August 28.

In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 10 or DocuLab.8 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG31) – March 4 - 13, 2016.

To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.

13 Feature and documentary films and 12 short films will be showcased in this year’s festival

Opening Night Gala – August 28, 2015

"Messi" Dir. Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)

Closing Night Gala – August 30, 2015

"Ciudad Delirio," Dir. Chus Gutiérrez (Colombia, 2014, 100 min., L.A. Premiere)

Special Events:

• Kids Gala: "El Jeremías" (Jeremy) Dir. Anwar Safa (Mexico, 2015, Us Premiere)

• Maguey (Lgbt) Gala: "Made in Bangkok" Dir. Flavio Florencio (México – Alemania, 2015, Us Premiere)

• Art, Health & Healing Special Screening: "Juanicas"

Dir. Karina García Casanova (Mexico – Canada, 2015, Us Premiere)

and "La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto, Mexico (short film)

• Human Rights Special Screening: "La Prenda" (The Pawn)

Dir. Jean-Cosme Delaloye (Guatemala – Suiza, 2014, Sneak Preview) in Association with the Mill Valley Film Festival.

• Free Screening: "La Once" (Tea Time) –Dir. Maite Alberti (Chile, 2014)

Other Feature Films

"El Patrón, Radiografía de un Crimen" (The Boss, Anatomy Of A Crime)

Dir. Sebastián Schindel (Argentina, 2014, L.A. Premiere)

HBO Latino presents – Heroes Cotidianos – “El cometa”

Dir. Alejandra Sánchez (Mexico, 2014, Sneak Preview)

"Ixcanul" Dir. Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala - France, 2015, Sneak Preview)

"Loreak" (Flowers) Dir. Jon Garaño, José Mari Goenaga (Spain, 2014, L.A. Premiere)

"Pocha" (Manifest Destiny) Dir. Michael Dwyer (USA – Mexico, 2015)

"Que Viva la Música" (Liveforever)

Dir. Carlos Moreno (Colombia -Mexico, 2015, L.A Premiere)

Short Films

Mexican Animated Shorts Showcase & Panel (in chronological order)

"Como preparar un sandwich" (How to Prepare a Sandwich) Dir. Rigo Mora

"Hasta Los Huesos" (Down to the Bones) Dir. René Castillo

"Jacinta" Dir. Karla Castañeda

"Jaulas" (Cages) Dir. Juan José Medina

"Prita Noire" (Black Doll) Dir. Sofía Carrillo

"La Casa Triste" (The Sad House) Dir. Sofia Carrillo

"La Noria" ( The Waterwheel) Dir. Karla Castaneda

"Lluvia en los Ojos" (Rain in the Eyes) Dir. Rita Basulto

"Zimbo" (Zimbo) Dir. Rita Basulto & Juan Jose Medina

Shorts Before Features

"Ella" (Her) Dir. Ximena Urrutia (Mexico, 2014, 23 min)

"Mestizo," Dir. Talon Gonzalez (USA, 2014, 10 min.)

"La Teta de Botero," Dir. Humberto Busto (Mexico, 2015, 18 min., Us Premiere)

The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.

Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 2

• "Angelica," Dir. Marisol Gómez-Mouakad, Puerto Rico/USA

• "Dementia" (Demencia), Dir. Jose Luís Valenzuela, Mexico/USA

• "Lupe under the Sun" (Lupe bajo el sol), Dir. Rodrigo Reyes, Mexico/USA

DocuLab.2 Los Angeles

• "No Dresscode Required" (Etiqueta no rigurosa), Dir. Cristina Herrera Borquez, Mexico/USA

• "Looking at the Stars" (Ol" ando pras estrelas), Dir. Alexandre Peralta, Nicaragua/Brazil/USA

• "Omar & Gloria" (Omar y Gloria), Dir. Jimmy Cohen, Mexico/Canada

Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta, with Principal Sponsors the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine), Univision and La Opinion.

The first Fenix Iberoamerican Film Awards, highlighting and celebrating cinema made in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal as well as applauding the professionals involved was inaugurated by Cinema23 this October 30 and held its closing night party in México City's Jumex Museum, named after the Lopez family’s fruit juice empire, and commissioned by Eugenio Lopez, the dynastic scion whose intention is to leave an edifice to Mexico City that dignifies his family name. This 21st-century prince is the sole patron of the new Museo Jumex, Latin America’s largest contemporary art museum, designed by the British architect David Chipperfield and just across the street from hourglass-shaped Museo Soumaya, opened in 2011 by the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helú to display his own collection. Worth a trip to Mexico alone just to view the private Jumex collection of Mexican art, to attend the spectacular closing night party topping off the new annual, independent award ceremony which took place at the iconic 1918 Teatro de la Ciudad was an experience of a lifetime.

After an exclusive dinner for the nominees around 11 Pm, the great celebration began. Inspired by Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, one of the most important holidays in Mexico, the party was decorated with elements inspired by this tradition such as "papel picado," and walls decorated with skulls. The vibrant orange color of hundreds of cempasúchil flowers (Marigolds) adorned the hall where more than a thousand guests, among them many film professional, singers and other important figures from across Iberoamerica, attended the celebration organized by Grupo Modelo the brewery in Mexico now owned by the Belgian-Brazilian company Anheuser-Busch InBev, which holds 63% of the Mexican beer market and exports beer to most countries of the world, whose export brands include my own favorite beers, Corona and Pacífico. I was proud to be invited to attend and to be part of the advisory council of Cinema23, founder of this annual Fenix Awards celebration of the art of cinema along with the comcomitant commercial success of Iberoamerican cinema.

Attending the awards and the post-award party were actors such as Alice Braga, Ana de la Reguera, Ana Claudia Talancón, Alfonso Herrera, Bárbara Mori, Brandon López, Camila Selser, Cecilia Suárez, Elena Anaya, Ernesto Alterio, Erick Elías, Ilse Salas, Irene Azuela, Johanna Murillo, José María Yazpik, José María and Pedro de Tavira, Juan Manuel Bernal, Karen Martínez, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Maribel Verdú, Martha Higareda, Maya Zapata and Ximena Ayala; filmmakers Fernando Eimbcke, Gary Alazraki, Jonás Cuarón, Lorenzo Hagerman, Manolo Caro, Natalia Beristáin and Rigoberto Perezcano; musicians Leo Heiblum, Kevin Johansen, León Larregui and Sergio Acosta from rock band Zoé and Leonor Watling, Jesús Navarro, vocalist of pop band Reik; socialites as Rafael Micha, Jorge Gorozpe, Memo Martínez and Max Villegas; fashion designer Oscar Madrazo and jewelry designer Mariana Villarea. They and the other attendees enjoyed a night in which cinema was the most important guest.

In the venue's lower level, Sonido Apokalitzin's beats enhanced the experience with cumbias, salsas and iconic songs from several Iberoamerican countries. Monterrey DJ Toy Selectah also entertained the guests with his musical selection. Upstairs, Sergio and Andres from famous rock band Zoé delighted everyone with their music just before they enjoyed Julian Placencia's DJ set.

With this event the first edition of the Fenix Iberoamerican Film Awards came to an end. The event brought together hundreds of figures from the Iberoamerican film community who celebrated the well-deserved recognition to their work and dedication. At the same time the event served to strengthen relationships among the diverse industries and will continuously help forge the region's identity.

Every year in November in Los Cabos, one of the most beautiful places in Mexico, 14,000 attendees, 450 industry professionals, and national and international media join together to celebrate film.

This year the Hurricane Odile took out Los Cabos and we feared for the festival. However, it has survived and its third edition, renamed from “Baja International Film Festival, Los Cabos” to “ Los Cabos International Film Festival ” has added three new sections.

You will find me there for this third edition November 12 – 16, where the Mexican film industry, its cultural and commercial partners in North America meet with invited guests to watch and discuss the best in cinema today.

Read more about its 2014 Official Selection program here. Nine films are in Competition from Mexico, U.S. and Canada, competing for Usd $15,000 cash, six Mexican productions – the first or second film by directors will compete for Usd $15,000 in the Mexico First Section.

The Festival’s three new sections to be presented in its Third Edition are Green Perspective, B-Side and Sunset.

Green Perspective is a section that present stories that generate awareness and force us to reflect on our responsibilities with the environment and the urgent need to create a harmonious coexistence among all the links part of this planet. The films in this new section are:

• “Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story” by Grant Baldwin. (Canada– Latin American Premiere).

• “México Pelágico” (“Deep-Sea Mexico”) by Jerónimo Prieto (Mexico, 2014).

• “ThuleTuvalu” by Matthias von Gunten (Switzerland- Latin American Premiere).

The theater chain, Cinemex will present this as part of the Festival’s Free Outdoor Screenings Program to be held at Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo.

The Festival also launches, B Side, showcasing the best films portraying music, providing both sonorous and visual enjoyment. The three films presented this year are:

• “20,000 Days on Earth” by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard (U.K. – Mexican Premiere). After its Sundance 2014 premiere, Hanway picked it up for international sales and has sold it to Drafthouse Films for U.S. as well as to Benelux (Remain In Light Belgium), Brazil (Zeta Filmes), Denmark (Camera Film A/S), Norway (Tour De Force As), Poland (Gutek Film Ltd), Spain (Avalon Distribucion Audiovisual), Sweden (Nonstop Entertainment Ab), U.K. ( Picturehouse Cinemas Ltd/ Picturehouse Entertainment).

• “For Those About To Rock: The Story of Rodrigo y Gabriela” by Alejandro Franco Fernández (Mexico– Latin American Premiere).

• “God Help the Girl” by Stuart Murdoch (U.K.– Mexican Premiere).

This film also premiered at Sundance and is also repped by Hanway and has sold to Amplify (Los Angeles) for the U.S. and to So. Korea (Challan), Spain (Avalon Distribucion Audiovisual), Taiwan ( Atom Cinema).

The third new section, Sunset, intends to provoke with genres of horror, science fiction and black comedy.

“Over Your Dead Body” by Takashi Miike (Japan – Latin American Premiere) premiered at Pusan Film Festival and is being sold internationally by Celluloid Dreams and Mongrel Media. “Spring” by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (U.S.A. – Mexican Premiere) presented in collaboration with Morbido Fest. Xyz both produced and is the international sales agent for this film which will debut at this year’s American Filkm Market. “What We Do in the Shadows” by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (New Zealand, U.S. – Latin American Premiere) also premiered in Sundance and played in Midnight Madness at Tiff. Elle Driver picked it up at its Sundance premiere and has licensed the film to Unison Films for U.S., Australia (Madman Entertainment), Germany (Weltkino Filmverleih Gmbh), Japan (Shochiku Co., Ltd), Russia (Volgafilm), Sweden (Njutafilms), U.K. ( Metrodome Distribution). Within the framework of the second Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund, that supports Mexican filmmakers’ projects in development and in post, the Festival is honoring Gabriel Figueroa, one of the greatest filmmakers of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In collaboration with photographer Gabriel Figueroa Flores, keeper and film restorer of his father's legacy, the photo exhibition "Homage to Gabriel Figueroa" will be presented, highlighting the work of the cinematographer in several foreign productions filmed in Mexico, including "The Pearl" (1945), "The Fugitive" (1947) and "The Night of the Iguana" (1962).

Los Cabos Film Festival is proud to have as guests, prominent Mexican celebrities who will get together at the red carpets and the Festival events, including Guillermo Arriaga, Ilse Salas, Tenoch Huerta, Sofía Espinosa, Sophie Alexander Katz, Marimar Vega, Luis Ernesto Franco, Erick Elias, Eiza González, Dolores Heredia, Maya Zapata, Chema Yazpik, Patricia Garza, Irene Azuela, Natalia Lafourcade, Tessa Ia, among others.

Among international celebrities confirmed to date are Atom Egoyan (Canada), Denys Arcand (Quebec), Xavier Dolan (Quebec), Frank Grillo (USA), DJ Cotrona (USA), Leonor Varela (Chile), Natalia Tena (UK), Eric Bruneau (Quebec), Sarai Givaty (Israel) and Rich

The Festival will give away 7,000 tickets for Cinemex screenings and 500 tickets for the Opening Gala, 500 tickets for Xavier Dolan’s “Mommy”’s Gala and 500 tickets for “Words with God”’s Gala, and 800 tickets for the Closing Gala.

As part of its commitment to Los Cabos, the Festival will donate to the Municipal Dif (National System for Integral Family Development) 8% of total sales. To promote social support and the provision of services that contribute to the protection, care and improvement of vulnerable groups.

American actress Rosario Dawson will present the Latin American Premier of Atom Egoyan’s “ The Captive” (2014), and will have the honor to grant the Tribute Award to Mr. Egoyan. Dawson plays a detective in the film by the Canadian Director, investigating Cassandra’s case that was abruptly kidnapped; this begins a horrifying race against time where the detective herself must play her part in unraveling the mystery of her disappearance and freeing her from captivity.

Its press conference in Mexico City on October 31st, more details will be announced.

Come And See What The Neighbors Are Doing Mexico, USA and Canada showcase their best films to the world.

Yesterday the Guadalajara International Film Festival in Los Angeles - Ficg in La - presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and Conaculta, with Principal Sponsors University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine) and Univision, announced its lineup. "The Hours with You" (Las Horas Contigo) directed by Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, will be the Opening Night film for the 2014 Festival. The film stars Cassandra Ciangherotti, María Rojo, Isela Vega, Arcelia Ramírez and Julio Bracho.

The 2014 Ficg in La, which returns to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for its fourth year and runs from Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, brings the best of contemporary Mexican and Latin American cinema to Los Angeles, and is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG29, which ran from March 21-29, 2014 in Guadalajara, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim.

The aim of the festival is to increase access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, create a space for collaboration between filmmakers, and strengthen relations between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.

Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists.

“This year, we are truly proud to bring two artistic programs to Ficg in La that supports emerging independent filmmakers, in effect, fulfilling part of our mission to nourish and sustain emerging talent across international film industries. Many of the films in this year's showcase reveal the cross-cultural collaborations currently taking place between film industries in Latin America, the Us, and Canada. These collaborations have resulted in the creation of groundbreaking, authentic, multicultural stories that move seamlessly across national and cultural boundaries." said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La.

“We are constantly finding ways for Ibero-American filmmakers to promote their films and share their experiences with moviemakers from all over the world. Now that we have reached our fourth year, we realized that we have become one of the leading platforms for Latino cinematography to enter the United States market,” said Iván Trujillo, Festival Director of Ficg.

Among the celebrities that have accompanied us in previous editions are: Carlos Cuarón, Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Irene Azuela, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.

Oscar nominee Demian Bichir , Nalip (The National Association of Latino Independent Producers), Ruben Luengas (journalist) and Gabriela Teissier (anchor woman) from Univision Radio and TV will receive the festival’s Tree of Life Award for their contributions to Mexican, Latino and Ibero American culture. Previous recipients include Ambulante, Juan Carlos Arciniegas (CNN en Espanol), Fernando Luján (actor), Gabriel Beristain (Director of Photography) and Emilio Kauderer (Music Composer).

Ficg in La continues to support Latino and Ibero-American films with Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1 and DocuLab.1 Los Angeles by selecting six projects from filmmakers seeking post-production funds. The films will be screened for jury members, sponsors and film industry professionals. The winners will be announced on Opening Night.

In addition, the winning projects in each competition will automatically qualify to be considered for Guadalajara Construye 9 or DocuLab.7 Guadalajara, or for the Ibero-American Competitions of the next edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG30) – March 6 - 15, 2015.

To reaffirm the social mission of Ficg and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA, Ficg in La will donate again all of its proceeds to a charitable cause. We will announce soon the recipient of this year’s fundraising effort.

10 Feature and documentary films and six short films will be showcased in this year’s festival

Opening Night Gala – September 5, 2014

• "The Hours with You" (Las Horas Contigo), Dir. Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, Mexico. Us Premiere

Closing Night Gala – September 7, 2014

• "One for the Road" (En el Ultimo Trago), Dir. Jack Zagha Kababie, Mexico. Us Premiere

Feature Films

• "Echo of the Mountain" (Eco de la Montaña), Dir. Nicolás Echevarría, Mexico. Us Premiere (documentary)

• "Grazing the Sky" (A Ras del Cielo), Dir. Horacio Alcala, Spain/ Mexico/ Portugal. L.A. Premiere (documentary)

• "Ignasi M.," Dir. Ventura Pons, Spain. L.A. Premiere (documentary)

• "Los Ángeles," Dir. Damian John Harper USA/Mexico.

• "The Mute" (El Mudo), Dir. Daniel Vega Vidal & Diego Vega Vidal, Peru. L.A. Premiere

• "Natural Sciences" (Ciencias naturales), Dir. Matías Lucchesi, Argentina.

• "Paraíso," Dir. Mariana Chenillo. Mexico. L.A Premiere

• "A Wolf at the Door" (O Lobo atras da Porta), Dir. Fernando Coimbra, Brazil. L.A. Premiere

Short Films

• "Diego," Dir. Sara Seligman, Mexico/Germany. (live action Drama)

• "A Family Day" (Un día en Familia), Dir. Pedro Zulu González, Mexico. (animation)

• "Minerita," Dir. Raúl de la Fuente, Spain (documentary)

• "Pickman's Model" (El modelo de Pickman), Dir. Pablo Ángeles Zuman, Mexico. Us Premiere (animation)

• "The Queen" (La Reina), Dir. Manuel Abramovich, Argentina (documentary)

• "Yearbook," Dir. Bernardo Britto, USA. (animation)

The screening of the selected work-in-progress films will be for industry accredited to the festival. These screenings are not open to the general public or member of the press.

Guadalajara Construye in Los Angeles 1

• "Blue Lips," Dir. Daniela De Carlo, Julieta Lima, Gustavo Lipsztein, Antonello Novellino, Nacho Ruipérez and Nobu Shima USA/Argentina/ Brazil/ Spain

• "Whisper of the Forest" (Gritos del Bosque), Dir. Jorge Olguín, Chile/USA

• Pocha, Dir. Michael Dwyer, Mexico/USA

DocuLab.1 Los Angeles

• "Gaucho del Norte," Dir. Andres Caballero, Sofia Khan Argentina/USA

• "Hotel de Paso," Dir. Paulina Sánchez Mexico/USA

• "Juanicas," Dir. Karina Garcia Casanova, Mexico/Canada

Ficg in La is presented by the University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States and Conaculta, and Principal Sponsors, the University of Guadalajara, the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Institute of Cinema Mexico (Imcine) and Univision, and Supporting Sponsors Cultura Udg, University of Guadalajara Foundation in Los Angeles, LeaLa, Channel 31.2 and the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.

About Ficg

The Guadalajara International Film Festival was founded by Guillermo del Toro and other Mexican filmmakers in 1986, and will celebrate its 30th edition March 6-15, 2015.

Ficg is the lead film festival in Latin America. It is a forum for the training, education, and creative exchange among industry professionals, film critics, and film students from all over Ibero-America.

About the University of Guadalajara – Mexico

The University of Guadalajara is a member of the University Network in the State of Jalisco, and it is the second oldest university in Mexico. The University of Guadalajara is committed to the betterment of society through higher education. It supports scientific and technological research that makes important contributions to a sustainable and inclusive society, respecting cultural diversity and honoring the principles of social justice, democracy, coexistence, and prosperity for all. The University is renowned in Mexico and abroad as a leader in the transformation of society through innovative means of social development and dissemination of knowledge.

About the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in the U.S.

The University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States of America (Udg Foundation-usa) is an extension of Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara, A.C., and is made up of a number of prominent academic and social leaders. The Foundation works to attain private support from individuals, foundations and corporations in order to fulfill the mission and vision of the University of Guadalajara in Los Angeles.

U.S. Udg Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life and social integration of migrants and Hispanic nationals by increasing their access to education and enhancing their sense of belonging and identification with their environment by developing their skills and capabilities through educational services and relevant social research.

The second edition of the Baja International Film Festival 2013 kicked off on November 13 with the opening night screening of Juan Jose Campanella’s Latin American box office hit.

Monsieur Lazhar director Philippe Falardeau received a special recognition on a night when the red carpet attendees included Guillermo Arriaga, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Jose Maria de Tavira, Alfonso Herrera, Irene Azuela, Paula Nuñez and Jorge Michel Grau.

Festival director Alonso Aguilar-Castillo welcomed around 2,000 guests as the event kicked off with the animation screening in both auditoriums of the Pabellon Cultural de la Republica.

The festival will run for four days with the goal of bridging the Mexican, Us and Canadian film industries.

The programme includes the world premiere of Cafe Tacvba’s new documentary The Object Formerly Known As A Record, El Charro Misterioso by Jose Manuel Cravioto and Beto Gómez’s Volando Bajo.

There are Mexican premieres for Jean-Marc Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club, Xavier Dolan’s Tom At...

In order to promote the cinema and filmmaking talent of Mexico and Ibero-America, the Guadalajara International Film Festival (Ficg), the University of Guadalajara and the University of Guadalajara Foundation in the U.S. present Ficg in La, a selection of the most outstanding films of 2013's Ficg. Ficg in La will be held at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood November 1-3, 2013.Featuring outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG28, which ran from March 1-9, 2013, Ficg in La will offer the premiere of other titles that have emerged in the world of cinema throughout the year to great critical acclaim. The aim of the festival is increasing access and visibility of Mexican and Latin American cinema in the U.S., facilitating the exchange of ideas through stories and issues of cultural and social relevance, creating a space for collaboration between filmmakers and strengthening relationships between the film industry in Mexico and the U.S.

Ficg in La includes film screenings followed by Q&As with filmmakers and talent, as well as galas and special award recognitions to Latin American and U.S. Latino artists. "It is an honor and a great responsibility to direct Ficg in La and to join the mission of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (Ficg) –which is close to its 30th anniversary – whose main purpose is to promote Mexican and Latin American cinema, expand the audience for these films, contribute to the careers of new filmmakers, and to serve as liaison between Latin American cinema and the international film industry " said Hebe Tabachnik, Director and Producer of Ficg in La, who since 2011 has collaborated as the Guest Programmer for the Maguey Award section, which focuses on films about sexual diversity.

Part of the significance in increasing the presence of Ficg in La is that the state of California has a concentration of 14 million Latinos, of which about 12 million are Mexican or Mexican-American. Of the nearly 5 million residing in metropolitan Los Angeles and Long Beach area, nearly half originate from the State of Jalisco, revealing a strong cultural connection between its capital, Guadalajara, and the city of Los Angeles. "Ficg in La is a gateway to Latin American cinema in Hollywood and also for Latino filmmakers to forge a relationship with the Guadalajara International Film Festival and claim it as their home,” said Ivan Trujillo, Festival Director of Ficg. Among the celebrities that have accompanied us in previous editions include: Edward James Olmos, Sergio Arau, Diana Bracho, Alfonso Arau, Kate del Castillo, Martha Higareda, Beto Cuevas, Everardo González, Emilio Maille, Dulce Maria, Carmen Salinas and Jay Hernandez.

Ficg in La 2013 marks the beginning of a joint venture with Ambulante, the nonprofit organization founded by Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz, dedicated to supporting documentary filmmaking as an important tool for cultural and social transformation. Ambulante will present the Los Angeles premiere of the Mexican documentary Quebranto (Disrupt), directed by Roberto Fiesco, who received a Special Jury Award in the Ibero-American Competition and was the winner of ther Maguey Award (FICG28), and more recently the Premio Sebastiane Latino Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. Ambulante will receive a special recognition for its outstanding contribution to promoting documentaries and documentary filmmakers since 2005.

Finally, in light of recent events in Mexico, our work this year wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t join the efforts to assist the communities severely affected by the tropical storms. Ficg in La has decided to donate all ticket sale proceeds to help rebuild these communities in need. Ficg in La is presented by the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the University of Guadalajara, University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States, and is supported by the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles. Ficg’s institutional sponsors include Conaculta, the Mexican Film Institute (Imcine), the Government of the State of Jalisco, Cultura Udg, Channel 44, as well as the municipalities of Guadalajara and Zapopan.

Ficg in L.A. Film Lineup 2013

Guadalajara International Film Festival In Los Angeles -- Ficg in La has announced the program for its third annual edition in Los Angeles. The festival will take place in Los Angeles from November 1-3, 2013 at the Egyptian Theater. The 3 day festival will showcase outstanding and award-winning titles from FICG28, which was held earlier this year in Guadalajara.

The entire program can be found at: www.ficginla.com

The Opening Night Presentation (November 1, 2013) will be the Us Premiere of Francisco Franco’s Tercera Llamada (Last Call) and it will be screened following the Ficg in La Awards Presentation to actor Fernando Luján for achievement in his career including his work in Tercera Llamada, to journalist, film critic, and television presenter, Juan Carlos Arciniegas for his contributions to the Latin entertainment community’s presence in the media. The additional award recipients for career achievement are cinematographer Gabriel Beristain and composer Emilio Kauderer. The final award will be presented to the non-profit organization, Ambulante for its work supporting and promoting documentary film as a tool for social and cultural transformation. A Gala reception in the courtyard of the Egyptian Theater will follow the film screening.

The Closing Night Presentation (November 3, 2013) Besos de Azucar (Sugar Kisses) is the West Coast Premiere of Carlos Cuaron’s film. Ficg in La will be the Us premiere for Levantamiertos, Soy Mucho Mejor Que Vos (I'm Better Than You), Puerto Padre (Port Father) and El Santos Vs La Tetona Mendoza (El Santos Vs The Busty Mendoza). Las Mariposas de Sadourni (Sadourni's Butterflies), Quebranto, and 7 Cajas (7 Boxes) will all have their Los Angeles premieres at Ficg in La.

This year’s Ficg in La films are as follows:

Features

7 Cajas (7 Boxes) -Juan Carlos Maneglia, Tana Schémbori

Paraguay, 100 min

Besos De Azucar (Sugar Kisses) – Carlos Cuarón

Mexico, 87 min

El Santos Vs La Tetona Mendoza

(El Santos Vs The Busty Mendoza) -Andrés Couturier, Alejandro Lozano

Mexico, 96 min

Las Mariposas De Sadourni (Sadourni's Butterflies ) -Dario Nardi

Argentina, 94 min

Levantamuertos - Miguel Nuñez

Mexico/USA, 82 min

Puerto Padre (Port Father) - Gustavo Fallas

Costa Rica/Mexico, 86 min

Purgatorio - Rodrigo Reyes

Mexico, 80 min

Quebranto (Disrupted) - Roberto Fiesco

Mexico, 92 min

Soy Mucho Mejor Que Vos - (I'm Better Than You) – Che Sandoval

Chile, 85 min

Tercera Llamada (Last Call) -Francisco Franco

Mexico, 92 min

Workers -José Luis Valle

Mexico, 120 min

Shorts

Rigo Mora Award Winning Shorts

Mexico, 73 min

Tickets Available At: https://ficginla.eventbrite.com

Ticket Price

Opening Night Gala, Recognition Awards Ceremony & Reception - $ 30

Closing Night Gala and Regular Screenings - $ 9

Please call 661-724-0807 if you have any questions about how to purchase your ticket to Ficg in La.

The proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to flood victims in Mexico.

About Ficg in La

Ficg in La is a window into the world of contemporary Mexican and Ibero-American cinema and it is an extension of the Guadalajara International Film Festival. This year′s Ficg in La will take place at Hollywood′s historic Egyptian Theatre, right in the heart of the worldwide film and entertainment industry. The festival is designed for people to come and explore the diverse regional narratives of Mexican and Ibero-America cinema, and to help critically acclaimed films from these regions reach a wider audience. Los Angeles provides an essential backdrop for the showcase to take place because of its strong cultural ties to Latin American communities all across the globe. The festival is presented by the University of Guadalajara, the University of Guadalajara Foundation in USA and the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

This year’s sponsors of Ficg in La include Cultura Udg, LeaLA Spanish Book Fair in Los Angeles, Udg TV, The National Council for Culture and The Arts, and the Mexican Consulate General. In addition, this year, Ficg in La is partnering with local organizations and consulates who embrace independent film and the goals of Ficg in La. Those partners include Film Independent, Project Involve, Outfest, The Argentinian Consulate General, The Chilean Consulate General, and the Asociación de Egresados del la Universidad de Guadalajara in Los Angeles.

www.ficginla.com

Expected to attend this year’s festival are:

The Cast of Tercera Llamada – Opening Night Film –

Audience Award and Best Actress - Female Ensemble - Ficg 28

Irene Azuela, Fernando Luján, Mariana Treviño

Francisco Franco Director,

Laura Imperiale Producer

Comic book artists Trino (José Trinidad Camacho Orozco) and Jis (José Ignacio Solórzano)

The artists behind The Santos vs.'s Busty Mendoza based on the famous comic strip characters of the same name.

Carlos Cuarón - The Director of Sugar Kisses - Besos de Azúcar - Closing Night Film

About Ficg

The Guadalajara International Film Festival was founded by Guillermo del Toro and other Mexican filmmakers in 1986, and will celebrate its 29th edition March 21-29, 2014. Ficg is the lead film festival in Latin America. It is a forum for the training, education, and creative exchange among industry professionals, film critics, and film students from all over Ibero-America.

About the University of Guadalajara – Mexico

The University of Guadalajara is a member of the University Network in the State of Jalisco, and it is the second oldest university in Mexico. The University of Guadalajara is committed to the betterment of society through higher education. It supports scientific and technological research that makes important contributions to a sustainable and inclusive society, respecting cultural diversity and honoring the principles of social justice, democracy, coexistence, and prosperity for all. The University is renowned in Mexico and abroad as a leader in the transformation of society through innovative means of social development and dissemination of knowledge.

About the Foundation of the University of Guadalajara in the U.S.

The University of Guadalajara Foundation in the United States of America (Udg Foundation-usa) is an extension of Fundación Universidad de Guadalajara, A.C., and is made up of a number of prominent academic and social leaders. The Foundation works to attain private support from individuals, foundations and corporations in order to fulfill the mission and vision of the University of Guadalajara in Los Angeles. U.S. Udg Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life and social integration of migrants and Hispanic nationals by increasing their access to education and enhancing their sense of belonging and identification with their environment by developing their skills and capabilities through educational services and relevant social research.

About Ambulante

Ambulante A.C., a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna and Pablo Cruz, is dedicated to supporting and promoting documentary film as a tool for social and cultural transformation. Ambulante travels to places where documentary films and training are limited with the purpose of creating engaged, critical and well-informed audiences. Each year, a documentary film festival travels with the support of Canana, Cinepolis, and the Morelia International Film Festival, covering several states in Mexico for 3 months, with an international showcase of over 100 documentaries, some 120 special guests, at over 150 venues.

For more information call 310.951.9797 or visit www.ficginla.com

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https://twitter.com/FICGinLA

Media Contact

Kc Mancebo

Clamorhouse

310-614-6036

kcm[At]clamorhouse.com

press[At]ficginla.com

Hebe Tabachnik

310-951-9797

hebe[At]ficginla.com...

Jane Campion, President of the Jury for Shorts and also the Cinefondation's 15 shorts by new filmmakers coming from Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, India, Greece, Italy and France. The ninth edition of the Atelier de la Cinéfondation Cannes Festival will run parallel to the Competition screenings and can be seen in the Riviera between 15 and 26 May 2013.

Mexican Jorge Hernandez Aldana and his film The heirs and Chilean Attalah Niles and his film King along with the other participants will be presented to potential partners, sales companies and producers who might be interested in entering into co-productions with them.

Born in Caracas, cinematically formed in the Polish school in Lodz, and settled professionally in Mexico, Jorge Hernandez Aldana was the director of The Night Buffalo written by Guillermo Arriaga and starring Diego Luna, Liz Gallardo and Irene Azuela. Heirs has initial support from Lucia Films, producer of Mexican Michel Franco, and the main characters are a group of teenagers and their families in the city of Monterrey during the first half of the 90s. The boys are in search of the keys to achieve the American dream on Mexican soil. It is a portrait, comedic and serious, of an era that will not return, a story about the meaning of friendship and the need to belong, to what happens to a group of teenagers from good families while spending the summer on a skateboard, while waiting for a future of wealth, success and power.

King, by Chilean-American Niles Atallah ( Lucia ), deals Orélie Tounens Antoine, a lawyer who in 1860 took over a Mapuche territory, Araucania, make a kingdom where he would be the king, and his ministers and citizins Indians to maintain independence from Chile. According to its makers, the film, with a budget of half a million euros, penetrates the mind and offers a multifaceted portrait of an ambitious dreamer in a hallucinatory and surreal style.

Two projects from Asia are among the 15 new works selected to take part in this year's Atelier, part of the Cannes Film Festival's Cinefondation.

From China, it has selected Ciao Ciao by Song Chuan. From India, Chenu and film-maker Manjeet Singh will participate. Details of the projects will be disclosed at the beginning of April.

The remaining projects are approved for Atelier Sworn Virgin by Italian Laura Bispuri ♀ , Stage Fright by Greek director Yorgos Zois; Memories of the Wind by Turkish Ozcan Alper, Je ne suis pas un salaud by French Emmanuel Finkiel; Road Kill by Japanese Yuichi Hibi; Days of Cannibalism by Teboho Edkins Joscha (South Africa); Lamb by Yared Zeleke (Ethiopia), Out / In the Streets by Jasmina Metwaly ♀ and Philip Rizk (Egypt); Chenu by Manjeet Singh ( India), Ciao Ciao , Song Chuan (China), Me, Myself and Murdoch by Alabdallah Yahya (Jordan / Palestine), and Holy Airby Shady Srour, and The House on End Stree by Amir Manor, both Israelis .

The Atelier was created in 2005 within the Cannes Film Festival in order to give impetus to the movies and to create a new generation of filmmakers, helping them to complete the financing for his films. During the past eight years, 126 projects have been through the workshop, of which 83 have been completed and 29 are performing currently in preproduction.

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn (PG)

(Steven Spielberg, 2011, Us/Nz) Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost. 107 mins.

If you forget Hergé's sacred source material and forgive the occasional creepiness of the animation, there's good fun to be had here. Guided by Spielberg's visual command, it's a boys' adventure with an Indiana Jones/Pirates Of The Caribbean rambunctiousness to it – a fast mix of dazzling action and comedy alcoholism that builds up so much momentum, it barely knows when to stop.

The Help (12A)

(Tate Taylor, 2011, Us) Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard. 146 mins.

The feelgood hit of the Us summer puts a cheery gloss on the civil rights era, as a Mississippi woman scandalously documents the woes of black maids.

The Ides Of March (15)

(George Clooney, 2011, Us) Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Evan Rachel Wood. 101 mins.

Clooney follows the campaign trail...

To coincide with the release of Miss Bala in cinemas on 28th October, Metrodome have not only given us this exclusive clip from the movie but also the chance to win a signed poster from the movie. In the clip which is rather intense and should be viewed with caution, we see some of the hard-hitting action which is rife in this amazing movie which we’ll be reviewing imminently. In the meantime, scroll down to view the clip and even further down to enter our competition to win a signed poster. You can see all our coverage including the trailer for Miss Bala here.

Miss Bala stars Irene Azuela, Miguel Couturier, Noe Hernandez, James Russo, Stephanie Sigman, Jose Yenque and is directed by Gerado Naranjo.

Miss Bala (“Miss Bullet” in English) tells the story of Laura, a young aspiring beauty queen who finds her dream turned against her when...

Summary:  An endless parade of casual horrors.

The Mexican Miss Bala graced the New York Film Festival a week ago, and I still don't quite know what to think of it. I know that's my job and all, but bear with me. Director Gerardo Naranjo has meticulously crafted a portrait of utter hopelessness that reminds me most of Alice in Wonderland. Like Alice, beauty queen hopeful Laura Guerrero (the impossibly sexy Stephanie Sigman) has been cast adrift in a sea of nightmarish confusion. Helping hands extend everywhere she turns, but all those hands are holding knives.

When Laura looses track of her friend Jessica (Irene Azuela) in the chaotic midst of a hostile nightclub heist, she does what any good citizen would do, she goes to the cops. Unfortunately, the cops turn her directly over to the cartel, who are concerned that she may be able to identify one or more of them.

Metrodome have unveiled the official U.K. poster for Miss Bala.

Written and directed by Gerardo Naranjo, Miss Bala stars Stephanie Sigman, Irene Azuela, Miguel Couturier, Miguel Couturier, Gabriel Heads, Noe Hernandez, James Russo and Jose Yenque.

In Mexico, a lawless country, Laura (Sigman), a young aspiring beauty queen finds her dream turned against her when she unwillingly gets involved with a criminal group at war.

Miss Bala premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 64th Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews, and will hit U.K. cinemas on October 28.

Check out the poster below:

Source: Empire...

Holy crap. I didn’t know being a beauty queen was this hard. Just kidding, of course, though for Stephanie Sigman’s Laura, her dreams of being a beauty queen is on par with going to war. Some very bad men want her to do some very bad things, and it’s definitely not for the weak of heart. I’d like to think there’s a happy ending at the end of this tale for our beauty queen, but let’s face it, that’s probably not in the cards. Check out some images and the English-subtitled trailer for director Gerardo Naranjo’s “Miss Bala”. The story of a young woman clinging on to her dream to become a beauty contest queen in a Mexico dominated by organized crime…Miss Bala explores the many extremes of modern Mexican society when the world of beauty pageants and the current drug war collide.

Miss Bala

Written by Mauricio Katz & Gerardo Naranjo

Directed by Gerardo Naranjo

Mexico, 2011

Chance, for better or for worse, suggests circumstances beyond one’s control. Laura Guerrero aspires to be a beauty queen, in part because it means greater opportunities for her family. Chance works against her though, and she stumbles into a gang war.

Miss Bala succeeds because it forgoes traditional dramatic tropes associated with the crime picture. This is not a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or the romantic story of a criminality as a counter-cultural movement. On the contrary, the depth of the criminal element is so pervasive that it is more unlikely not to somehow be touched by its influence. Even a small beauty pageant is controlled by these dark forces; there is no escape.

The film does not attempt to paint crime as an outside element fighting against the people – instead,...

Late last night I posted the first UK trailer for Lars von Trier's Melancholia. In my post I mentioned that the film had been a bit overshadowed by its publicity, as the director was notoriously kicked out of the Cannes Film Festival for for remarks about Nazis that were deemed "unacceptable, intolerable, and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the festival." Tonight we have yet another film that had its premiere at the French festival but we haven't heard much from since: Gerardo Naranjo's Miss Bala. Starring Stephanie Sigman, Irene Azuela and Miguel Couturier, the film is about a girl who dreams of being a beauty pageant champion. One night, while out at a dance club, she witnesses an absolute massacre, of which she is the only survivor. The criminals then take her hostage and use her as a drug runner.

Miss Bala Trailer. Gerardo Naranjo‘s Miss Bala (2011) movie trailer stars Stephanie Sigman, Irene Azuela, Miguel Couturier, James Russo, and Jose Yenque. Miss Bala‘s plot synopsis: “The story of a young woman clinging on to her dream to become a beauty contest queen in a Mexico dominated by organized crime…Miss Bala explores the many extremes of modern Mexican society when the world of beauty pageants and the current drug war collide.”

This looks really good, a mixture of Maria Full of Grace and City of God. It look like Laura Guerrero’s dreams become intermingled with a nightmare.

More on Miss Bala:

Reviews have pegged Miss Bala as a film that savagely depicts the drug wars that have ravaged parts of Mexico. At the same time, they praise the film’s complex scripting and characterization, which don’t reduce the participants to caricatures or simple outlines. It...

Jose Maria Yazpik has been cast in a pair of indie roles.

The Mexican actor, who recently appeared in Guillermo Arriaga's "The Burning Plain," will star in Jorge Fons' "El Atentado" and Rodrigo Cortes' "Buried," opposite Ryan Reynolds.

Based on the historical novel "El Expediente del Atentado," "Atentado" tells the true story of Arnulfo Arroyo (Yazpik), a young terrorist who in 1897 attempts to assassinate Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz. The film also stars Daniel Jimenez-Cacho and Irene Azuela and is being produced by Diego Lopez.

Filming has begun in Mexico City.

Written by Chris Sparling, "Buried" stars Reynolds as a civilian contractor in Iraq who awakens in a coffin under the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife. Yazpik will record the voice of an Iraqi insurgent who orchestrates the kidnap-for-ransom.

Peter Safran is producing with Adrian Guerra and Alejandro Miranda of Spain's Versus Entertainment.

Bajo La Sal, a Spanish independent film, has been released in the United States as of Tuesday, November 10th. The film covers a series of murders near a salt mine in Santa Rosa de la Sal and the film's mystery will be solved by a puzzling young man. Very few other details are available, other than Maya Entertainment is releasing the film, so fans will have to sit tight until an English language trailer is released. Check out the synopsis and other available film details below.

A synopsis for Bajo La Sal here:

"Commander Trujillo travels to Santa Rosa de la Sal, a small town located near a salt mine in order to solve the mystery behind a series of murders. There he will discover the many secrets that the town holds and meet Victor, a dark youth who will be the key to uncovering the truth behind the murders...

The 2008 Mexican thriller Bajo La Sal (aka Under The Salt) has been making the festival 'rounds for awhile, most recently screening last month at La's Screamfest.

Released in Mexico by Warner Bros., Mario Muñoz' terrifying tale hit DVD in the 'States today via Maya Entertainment, and to spread the word they've sent over the latest trailer along with full details on the film, which has thus far remained under-the-radar for many fright fans.

Synopsis

Commander Trujillo travels to Santa Rosa de la Sal, a small town located near a salt mine in order to solve the mystery behind a series of murders. There he will discover the many secrets that the town holds and meet Victor, a dark youth who will be the key to uncovering the truth behind the murders.

Warner Bros. Pictures present a Películas Imaginarias production; co-produced by Fondo de Inversión, Estímulos al Cine (Fidecine) México and Grupo Financiero Inbursa.

Mexico City -- Fernando Eimbcke's coming-of-age drama "Lake Tahoe" won honors for best picture and director at the 51st Ariel Awards, yet it was a bittersweet victory as the film academy came under attack throughout Tuesday night's ceremony for snubbing Mexico's foreign-language Oscar submission.

Cine Pantera's "Lake Tahoe," Eimbcke's sophomore feature about a teen coping with his father's death, nabbed best supporting actor for Hector Herrera as well. Paris-based Funny Balloons handles international sales. The night also belonged to Rodrigo Pla's "Desierto Adentro" (The Desert Within), a drama set against the backdrop of Mexico's Cristero War. "Desierto" grabbed eight awards, including best original screenplay, cinematography and actor for Mario Zaragoza. Irene Azuela won best actress for her performance in the Warner Bros. Mexico thriller "Bajo la Sal."

Voting members of the Mexican film academy were criticized throughout the night for overlooking the period piece "Arrancame la Vida" (Tear This...