Latino & Native American Film Festival

Currently in its 14th year, the Latino & Native American Film Festival (LANAFF) at SCSU stands as a testament to our dedication to the recruitment and retention of Latino and Native American students and faculty. Our mission is to foster their aspirations in furthering their education and careers at the university level.

Our unique festival not only showcases feature films, documentaries, shorts, and animations that celebrate Latino and Native American cultures, but also integrates other artistic manifestations from or about these communities. The agenda is rich, inclusive of film screenings, insightful panel discussions, interactive Q & A sessions, and invaluable networking events.

With prevailing negative stereotypes that impact Latinos and Native Americans, LANAFF seeks to be a beacon of positive representation. It's a platform for both communities and the general populace to engage with uplifting role models and acknowledge the breadth of their contributions. Over the years, LANAFF has enriched the Greater New Haven's diverse communities by spotlighting the brilliant works of contemporary filmmakers, especially those that are often overshadowed in the United States.

This year, the film festival carries the theme:

"¿Quiénes Somos? Nuestra Interseccionalidad / Who Are We?: Our Intersectionality."

The theme spotlights the diverse racial tapestry that encompasses Afro-Latino, Indigenous, European heritage, and every combination therein. It prompts a reflection on our journey as communities and individuals, captured in the sentiment: "How We Were is not How We Are, and How We Are is not How We Will Be." The theme challenges societal views and our self-perceptions, underscoring that our identity goes beyond any single label or stereotype.

The Latino identity encompasses an extraordinary diversity of cultures, beliefs, and experiences. We are a mosaic of faiths: Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Spiritualist, and practitioners of Santería. Our racial heritage is equally varied, encompassing Indigenous roots, African lineage, European descent, and every imaginable mix in between. Our nationalities stretch across the Americas, from Argentines to Puerto Ricans, Dominicans to Colombians, Venezuelans to Mexicans, and beyond — a complex patchwork of subcultures, each with its own unique identity.

We are a people who defy simple categorization: some of us are deeply connected to our national heritage, while others have woven themselves into the broader tapestry of life as nationalists, assimilated individuals, or "hyphenated-Americans." We inhabit every corner of the social landscape, from urban centers to rural expanses, from academic halls to agricultural fields. Our ranks include braceros and scientists, educators and laborers, intellectuals and those who have struggled with addiction. We are at once visible and invisible, often deemed "culturally indigestible" by the mainstream.

Among us are individuals who have risen to prominent positions, such as Supreme Court Justices and U.S. Secretaries of Education, exemplifying the heights we can achieve. We are referred to by a plethora of terms: Hispanics, Hispanos, Latinos, LatinX, Latinas, Latines, and Latin American citizens, to name but a few.

It is easy to presume understanding of who we are, but the truth is layered and complex. Even within our own community, we are continually exploring the depths of our identities and the potential of what we can become. Our story is one of continual self-discovery, and it is far from over.

A parallel narrative exists for Native Americans. In the United States, there are 567 recognized Native American nations, while Latin America is home to over 800 such nations. Collectively, we number around 45 million individuals. Yet, despite our significant presence, our perspectives are frequently overlooked. In nations like Bolivia, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Mexico, indigenous populations constitute more than half of the total populace. Research funded by the National Science Foundation revealed that 61% of Puerto Ricans, 33% of Cubans, and 30% of Dominicans carry indigenous DNA. Additionally, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama have large or significant indigenous populations, either in terms of absolute numbers or as a percentage of the total population. Historically, indigenous communities have been trailblazers in diverse domains — from astronomy to architecture. They devised the most precise calendar known to humanity and laid foundational concepts that inspired democratic principles, notably those that shaped the United States. Given current global circumstances, the world urgently requires the indigenous values of profound affinity with nature, spiritual depth, and community unity."

In summary, both the Latino and Native American communities are vast tapestries of identities, contributions, and narratives. Through LANAFF, we aim to highlight, celebrate, and further these rich stories.