From Dance Battles to Superheroes: 10 Must-See Latino Movies at Palm Springs International Film Festival

There is, perhaps, no better way to spend one’s days in the desert landscape that is Palm Springs than in a pool. But if you must come up with alternate plans to weather the dry heat, a movie theater works just as well. Especially when you have a chance to catch one of the over 200 films from 78 countries that make up the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Now in its 30th year and with a roster that includes high-profile projects starring the likes of Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Rami Malek, and Julianne Moore, the 2019 edition of the fest proves why it’s one of the biggest film festivals in North America.

In addition to its slew of screenings, the fest is also known for its Film Awards Gala. The starry event celebrates the best of the year in film. For its 2019 edition, Palm Springs will welcome, among others, Alfonso Cuarón (recipient of the Sonny Bono Visionary Award, Roma), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Ensemble Performance Award, Mary Poppins Returns) and Regina King (Chairman’s Award, If Beale Street Could Talk).

So if you’re itching to find solace in a nearby movie theater and are in need of some helpful suggestions, find below our top picks for this year’s fest. Whether you’re in the mood to catch some art documentaries, see some of Latin America’s most-talked about LGBT films, or simply enjoy a thrilling US Latino film about a Chicano superhero, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has you covered.

Palm Springs Film Festival runs January 3-13, 2019.