Every year, the AFI Silver Theater & Cultural Center hosts the Latin American Film Festival. In its 35th year, the festival will feature 43 films from over 20 Latin countries with the added participation of Spain and Portugal. Stick around after select movies for a Q&A with the filmmaker and/or reception sponsored by an Embassy.
When is the festival?
September 19, 2024- October 10, 2024
Where is it?
The AFI Silver Theater & Cultural Center
8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
How many films are included?
43 films are included from over 20 countries.
As the cold weather stops people from going to day parties and brunches, it doesn’t stop people from exploring films and culture at the Latin American Film Festival at the AFI Silver Theater & Cultural Center.
The state-of-the-art cinema created by Montgomery County residents gives visitors an insight into the dedicated artists, actors, and filmmakers of the world. There are two stadium theaters that can show films in 16mm to 50mm as well as HD Digital Cinema Video Projection. And seating in the theater isn’t an issue, there’s space for a minimum of 75 guests and up to 400 guests.
AFI Silver Theater commemorates Ibero-American culture with the Latin American Film Festival happening alongside Hispanic Heritage Month.
The opening movie for the festival is LA COCINA. Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacio, he brings an adapted story of British playwright Arnold Wesker’s “The Kitchen” transporting the location from mid-century London to present-day New York City. The film crafts a tragicomic tribute to life behind the scenes of a busy Times Square restaurant. Approximate running time 139 minutes. After the film, stay for a Q&A with filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacio plus a post-screening reception sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute in DC.
IN THE SUMMERS is one of the special presentation films at AFI Silver. The film won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and Directing Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. It tells the story of sisters Violeta and Eva who are stuck spending four life-altering summers with their father (Grammy Award- -winner Rene Perez Joglar aka Residente) in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Lacorazza’s searing feature debut is a semi-autobiographical tale that wrestles with issues of identity, addiction, and family. Approximate running time is 98 minutes.
The closing movie of this festival is PIMPINERO: BLOOD AND OIL. “Pimpineros” or gas smugglers risk their lives transporting illegal fuel from one country to another. When Juan is forced to work for a sinister rival, the underbelly of the business is laid bare, with tragic consequences. Directed by Andres Baiz, this heart-pounding thriller features a bristling performance by Colombian musical icon Juanes. Approximate time is 121 minutes.
Make it a getaway weekend! Stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown Hotel or the DoubleTree by Hilton Silver Spring. Grab a bite to eat at Miss Toya’s Creole House, La Malinche Spanish and Mexican Tapas, or McGinty’s Public House. Shop till you drop at Ellsworth Place or the shops at Downtown Silver Spring.
