August 20, 2009 (LOS ANGELES) — The 2009 Downtown Film Festival—Los Angeles presents its 2nd annual American-Latino Film Series at the AT&T Center Theater, opening with the Los Angeles premiere of the new feature film
Vicious Cycle, on Friday, Aug. 21, beginning at 7:30 pm at the AT&T Center Theater, 1150 S. Olive St. (at 12th St.), L.A. 90015.
This year's series is sponsored by Chivas Regal (
http://www.chivas.com/).
The series of films will creatively incorporate the perspectives and personal visions of American filmmakers with a Latino heritage. A program of short films, representing U.S. filmmakers of Cuban, Puerto Rican and Latin American descent, will be part of the event.
The series' location in the heart of the downtown L.A. community, adjacent to the city's and the nation's largest Latino population, underscores an important aspect of the festival's programming.
"The festival is fully committed to reflect the cultural tapestry that encompasses the greater downtown Los Angeles area," said festival co-director Henry Priest. "Our city is one of the most ethnically diverse in the world, and we celebrate and honor it through the universally appealing medium of motion picture."
The films in the series also aim to illustrate the cultural differences between Latin American filmmakers and their American-born counterparts. "There is a much different perspective from a filmmaker who is from Mexico, Central America or South America, and an American born with Latino heritage," expressed festival co-director Greg Ptacek.
Vicious Cycle, the first screening of the evening beginning at 7:30 pm, is a narrative feature directed and written by Paul Boyd and takes place in Venice Beach (in Los Angeles). This punk rock tale stars Paul Rodriguez Jr., playing R.J., a skater and artist who is running away from authorities and a vengeful gang-banger, both after him for a shockingly tragic murder that he is innocent of.
The feature presentation will be followed at 9:30 pm by the festival's
"Latino-American Shorts" program, showcasing the work of five filmmakers.
The 2009 Downtown Film Festival—L.A. American-Latino Film Series is sponsored by Chivas Regal and Hoy, LatinHeat Entertainment, VIP and Provevcho restaurant, host of the official "after-screening" party beginning at 11 pm. (Provecho is located on Wilshire Blvd. at S. Flower St. in the heart of downtown L.A.)
The 2009 Downtown Film Festival—Los Angeles is presented by AT&T Center — Downtown Los Angeles, arts>Brookfield Properties, Geragos & Kabateck Enterprises, The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live, Rivera restaurant and Nuvay Web Services. More information, visit the festival's website:
www.dffla.com
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About Downtown Film Festival—Los Angeles
Downtown Film Festival—Los Angeles is a nonprofit arts organization established to celebrate the current renaissance of downtown Los Angeles through the medium of motion pictures. The festival is dedicated to showcasing the diversity of the downtown L.A. communities by the presentation of independent films and related arts activities. The festival also pays homage to the unique role that downtown L.A. played in the development of American cinema, as evidenced today by the early 20th century movie palaces that continue to grace its avenues and streets.
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