Stellar Evening With Award Ceremony and Special Screening at the 12th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Closing Night in Hollywood

Stellar Evening With Award Ceremony and Special Screening at the 12th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival Closing Night in Hollywood

Filmmakers, talent and invited celebrity guests celebrated another great year of film with an award ceremony honoring Latino cinema and a special screening at the Egyptian Theater

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The 12th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) came to a close last evening with an award ceremony celebrating filmmakers that have submitted their films from countries all over the world. Guests were also treated to an advanced feature film screening at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

The red carpet studded event included appearances by Gustavo Santaolalla, Demian Bechir, Carina Ricco, Alexa Vega, Maya Zapata, Lupe Ontiveros and other invited celebrity guests. Awards were given in categories like Opera Prima, Features, Documentaries and Short Films along with the results of the anticipated Audience Award. The following includes a list of the winners for the 12th Annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival:

Shorts Category:

Shorts/ Winner
Winner: "A Day of Work"
Director: Roger Dassani
Country: USA

Shorts/Special Mention
Winner: "Catharsis"
Director: Daniel Chamorro
Country: Spain

Shorts/ Animation
Winner: "Sebastian Voodoo"
Director: Joaquin Baldwin
Country: USA

Documentary Category:

Documentaries/ Best Documentary
Winner: Promise of Music
Director: Enrique Sanchez Lansch
Country: Germany

Documentaries/Special Mention
Winner: Cafe de los Maestros
Director: Miguel Kohan
Country: Argentina

Documentaries/Special Mention
Winner: La Americana
Director: Nicholas Bruckman
Country: United States

Documentaries/Special Mention
Winner: 13 peoples, defending, water air and land
Director: Francesco Taboada Tabone
Country: Mexico

Opera Prima Category:

Opera Prima/ Winner
Winner: Desierto Sur
Director: Shawn Garry
Country: Chile

Opera Prima/ Special Mention
Winner: Cochochi
Director: Israel Carteras
Country: Mexico

Features Category:

Features/ Best Film (RITA AWARD)
Winner: Paraiso Travel
Director: Simon Brand
Country: Colombia

Features/ Best Screenplay
Winner: Casi Divas
Director: Issa Lopez
Country: Mexico

Features/ Best Director
Winner: Lucia Murat
Film: Mare, Nossa de Amor
Country: Brazil

Audience Award Category:

Documentary:
Winner: Fraude
Director: Luis Mendoki
Country: Mexico

Film:
Winner: Paraiso Travel
Director: Simon Brand
Country: Colombia

Following the award ceremony, select audience of filmmakers, celebrities and important decision makers of the industry were able to enjoy an advanced screening of "Nothing Like the Holidays" not due for release until November.

"We are please to continue showcasing the talented work of Latino filmmakers and their contributions to the world cinema," stated Marlene Dermer, co founder and executive director of the festival. "This night celebrates the films that have made this festival possible and we look forward to a successful festival next year."

The closing festivities successfully conclude the 12th year of LALIFF where more than 130+ films were showcased.

About LALIFF

The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), is a non- profit 501c (3) organization whose mission is to support and promote the development and exhibition of diverse visions by Latino filmmakers. In the process promote awareness of the richness and diversity of our Latin cultures, our artistry and our countries through film, the most powerful medium in the world, as a way to foster cultural harmony while serving as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion and distribution of Latino film as we develop an audience for our works.

LALIFF presents feature films, documentaries, shorts and special side bar screenings. The films presented at the festival showcase a wide variety of themes by Latino filmmakers, producers, writers and actors, as well as movies that depict Latino culture. It is a competitive festival with prizes and a venue where filmmakers come together with buyers and distributors. Our Industry Office facilitates meetings and keeps a video library for Hollywood executives. LALIFF also offers industry workshops, panels, labs, networking receptions, educational programs, and hosts some of the best Galas in tinseltown. For more information about LALIFF, please visit www.latinofilm.org

Premier Sponsors: Farmers Insurance, Los Angeles Times/Hoy Newspaper
Presenting Sponsor: Univision 34 KMEX
Official Sponsors: City of Los Angeles, Egeda & Filmotech, Coca Cola
Opening Gala Sponsor: Blockbuster Inc.
Opening Night Presenter Sponsor: Macy's West
Industry Office Sponsor: Creative Artist Agency (CAA)
Latino Screenwriter's Lab: Cortez Brothers
Filmmakers Cafe Sponsor: IKEA
Youth Program: Fry's Electronics
Award Sponsors: Walt Disney: Gabi Award,

Entertainment Partners: All Awards, Fuji Film: Best Documentary, CineLatino: Audience Award

Supporting Sponsors: Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, HBO, Goethe Institut, Edelman Public Relations, LPB (Latino Public Broadcasting), ProChile, Showbiz Software, ESPN Deportes, Festival International de Cine de Guadalajara, Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG), University of Guadalajara Foundation USA, CineLatino

Film Festival Sponsors: Sony Pictures, CBS Diversity, NBC Universal, FilmLook Inc., Time Warner Cable, Sotol Tequila, Titra, Laguna Films, Echauri Video

Collaborator Sponsors: ASCAP, BMI, Hollywood & Highland Center/Spa Luce, Roosevelt Hotel, Fiji Water, Creative Industry Handbook, Molaa (Museum of Latin America Art), El Mexicano, Roaring Lion Energy Drink, Don Francisco Coffee, Nexmale, PLIE (Professional Latinos in Entertainment), Festival de Cinema de Girona

Seminar Sponsors: WGA, SAG Indie

Media Partners: MTV Tr3s, KLCS, LATV, Univision Radio, KLOVE 107.5FM, KTNQ 1020AM, La Nueva 101.9FM, Hispanic Magazine, Al Borde/El Clasificado, American Latino TV & LatiNation, Bazuca Magazine, InMag Magazine, QuePasa.com, Latino Future Magazine, Home Media Magazine, OYE Magazine, Para Todos Magazine, Univision.com

Press Contacts
Conny Q. 323.469.9066
pressoffice@latinofilm.org

Vanessa Tartak 323.202.1453
vanessa.tartak@edelman.com

Source: Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF)

CONTACT: Conny Q. of LALIFF, +1-323-469-9066, pressoffice@latinofilm.org,
or Vanessa Tartak for LALIFF, +1-323-202-1453, vanessa.tartak@edelman.com

Web site: http://www.latinofilm.org/

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