LACLA Presents: 14th Annual Student Film Festival spotlighting short films created by middle & high school students from LA area

Spotlighting short films created by middle and high school students from various media programs in the greater Los Angeles area.

Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the Richard A Grant Theater (Cathedral High School)

Watch festival promotional reel 

Vesper Public Relations. Los Angeles, CA. April 2024.  The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles presents its 14th Annual LACLA Student Film Festival. Celebrating the voice and vision of young filmmakers, the Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles proudly showcases short films by students hailing from the multifaceted regions of Los Angeles - from the Valley to South L.A., and from East L.A. to Venice.

As a means of encouraging and celebrating student film making, the festival spotlights the innovative and dynamic storytelling created by youth from various media arts programs and middle and high schools in the greater Los Angeles area.

The festival will take place on Sunday April 21, at 2:00 pm at the Richard A Grant Theater, located at Cathedral High School (1253 Bishops Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012). 

You can register for free at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-lacla-student-film-festival-tickets-876810232007?aff=oddtdtcreator

LACLA's 14th Annual Student Film Festival is expecting over 621 film submissions and will be showcasing 10 finalists. Winners will be selected for Best Film, Best Documentary, and Most Creative. As a leading institute of cinema exhibition, LACLA is firmly committed to cultivating, through the art of cinema, cultural expression and exchange among students, educators, filmmakers, and community members of diverse backgrounds. This festival provides an opportunity to encourage and acknowledge young artists in the film industry.

The 14th annual LACLA Student Film Festival is made possible with funds from: Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Diaz-Martinez Family Foundation, and the many individuals who contribute to LACLA’s programs. The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles would like to give a special thanks to Cathedral High School for providing access to the newly created Richard A Grant Theater. Cathedral has for the last 98th years served families primarily from the oldest neighborhoods of Los Angeles and from the surrounding Greater Los Angeles area

Judges

Ernesto Quintero (Writer/ Producer/ Director)

Ernesto Quintero is the Creative Director of Higher Ground Entertainment. Along with co-Creative Director, Danny Haro their focus is to acquire and produce current socially relevant projects that otherwise would go unnoticed. Most recently, his feature documentary A Sacred Journey, a story of his brother’s fight with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, was awarded Best Documentary Film at DOCUTAH International Film Festival (2019).

Vera Amaya (Filmmaker)

Vera Amaya is a filmmaker who compassionately tries to honor space. Enjoying what the world provides, she takes pleasure in connecting with landscapes as her muses. Vera’s last film, I Once Fell in Love with You (2021), moved through multiple festivals, including the 2023 Berlin Int’l Art Festival.

Dennis Pastorizo (Journalist)

Dennis Pastorizo is a distinguished TV host and journalist who continues to make a significant impact in both English and Spanish media in the U.S. With a rich portfolio that includes AFV en Español (America’s Funniest Videos) and Always Funny Videos, his charisma and insightful storytelling resonate across cultures.

Vonyse Redder (Producer/Director/Musician)

Vonyse Reeder is the pioneering force behind Mortasay Vision and a multifaceted creative powerhouse. As a producer, director, and musician, Vonyse’s influence reverberates across mediums, from her role in co-producing and creative directing for the upcoming TV shows The Situation Shift and West Comedy Jam to her captivating performances with the music duo Mortasay who played Interpride’s 1st Global Gala on a lineup with Debra Cox.

About LACLA

For the past 25 years, the Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) has served as a premier platform for the exploration and celebration of Chicanx, Latinx, and Latin American cinema. As a non-profit organization, we pride ourselves on our year-round programming, shining a spotlight on the diverse and dynamic bodies of filmmaking that originate from all corners of the Americas. Through a range of thoughtfully curated screenings, educational initiatives, and collaborative events, LACLA aims to enrich cultural understanding, promote artistic exchange, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. With a strong LA base, we actively work to broaden the cinematic horizons of our local community, while connecting creative minds and film lovers globally.

www.lacla.org