WHO WE ARE

The Official Latino Film Festival is the first latino film festival that focuses primarily in the U.S. Latino and Latina filmmaker.

Latinx Filmmaker Danny Hastings created the Festival in 2015, in response to the lack of Latinx representation in Hollywood films and TV shows. Our mission is to showcase, nurture, and support the emerging creative Latinx filmmakers who produce, direct and/or write their films in the United States.

Last year we had a new and vital addition to our staff. Manuel Solis, became the new and official Programmer of the Official Latino Film and Arts Festival. Solis has extensive experience in the festival circuit, and many of you know him from the prestigious CineFestival in San Antonio.

Our festival is a community of U.S. filmmakers that support each other. Our alumni is involved in the organization of the festival every year. Whether helping out with the prep production of the festival or judging films, we are building a community of Latinx filmmakers that support each others work.

This year we are incorporating an international component by showcasing films from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Awards & Prizes

TOP AWARDS:
BEST U.S. SHORT FILM
BEST U.S. FEATURE FILM

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES FOR SHORT FILMS PRODUCED IN THE U.S. ONLY:

BEST DRAMA AWARD
BEST COMEDY AWARD
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD
EXCEPTIONAL ARTISTRY AWARD (Animation/Stop Motion/Experimental)
BEST MUSIC VIDEO AWARD
BEST WEBISODE
BEST SKETCH COMEDY
BEST VIDEO BLOG
BEST OUT OF THIS WORLD AWARD (Horror and SCI-FI)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST SCRIPT

TALENT AWARDS:

BEST ACTRESS
BEST ACTOR

Rules & Terms

See Website for Rules - www.officiallatino.com
145 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Angelina Villapiano

    I really felt the Latino camaraderie at this festival. I made a lot of connections and left feeling empowered and excited about the future of Latino filmmaking!

    July 2022
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  • Sandra Varona

    Great festival, very welcoming and awesome organizers.

    March 2022
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  • Aldo Pisano

    Danny is creating a community of artists. He sets up partnerships to get the filmmakers exposure and monetary rewards. He really cares about lifting Latinx creatives!

    March 2022
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  • Jeff Torres

    I cannot begin to explain how rare a festival like this is in the indie filmmaking world. ESPECIALLY if you're a latino filmmaker. It's not because I won best Comedic Actor for my short Film Once. It was the support, care, and ability to have a platform that accepts every genre of film from Latino artists. Danny Hastings is a blessing to our community and an awesome dude. 100% recommend you submit to this festival.

    December 2021
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  • Mauricio Mendoza

    Danny and the rest of the team at Official Latino Film Festival have done an amazing job connecting the Latinx filmmaking community to celebrate our stories and one another! I loved the energy and excitement at Cecil Steakhouse in Harlem! Great food, music and community! I loved interacting with the photographers and the Covid Compliance team! friendly, organized and efficient. THANK YOU to the whole team for this fantastic event, platform and ofcourse taking home the VANGUARDIA AWARD for our short MI AMOR! I am grateful for doing what I love with my beautiful familia. As a first time Latina Director ...I am honored and humbled for winning THIS AMAZING AWARD! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! I look forward to next year! Congratulations to eveyone!

    December 2021
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