The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival released its full virtual film lineup on Wednesday, and the Latinx representation is significant. SXSW takes place March 16-20. Here’s a rundown of some of the Latinx feature films, TV series, and talent you’ll find at this year’s event.
Language Lessons
The film marks the directorial debut of actress Natalie Morales (The Little Things). She co-wrote the film with Mark Duplass (Cyrus) and in it, she plays a Spanish teacher who develops a friendship with one of her students.
Women is Losers
Directed by Ecuadorian-American filmmaker Lissette Feliciano, the film tells the story of a Catholic schoolgirl named Celina Guerrera (Chilean actress Lorenza Izzo) trying to find a way to overcome poverty. Along with Izzo, the film also stars Latinx performers such as Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2), Steven Bauer (TV’s Queen of the South), Alejandra Miranda (TV’s La Reina del Sur), Shalim Ortiz (TV’s Grand Hotel), Lincoln Bonilla (TV’s Jane the Virgin), and more.
R#J
A reimagining of William Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, the film features a diverse cast and includes Shakespearean dialogue and the use of modern technology. Some of the Latinx talent starring in the film includes Francesca Noel (Selah and the Spades), Diego Tinoco (TV’s On My Block), Maria Gabriela de Faría (TV’s Deadly Class), Denise Dorado (TV’s Drop Dead Diva), Emilio Garcia-Sanchez (TV’s The Society), and more.
Ayar
The title character is a Latina mother (Venezuelan actress Ariana Ron Pedrique) who returns home to reunite with her daughter but is not allowed to see her because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Soy Cubana
This documentary centers on the Vocal Vidas, an all-female Cuban quartet that is invited to the United States to perform for the first time.
Bantú Mama
The Dominican film follows a woman who finds shelter in a dangerous district in Santo Domingo after she escapes arrest.
Luchadoras
This documentary follows a group of female wrestlers in Ciudad Juárez who use their fighting skills in the ring to redefine what it means to be a woman in one of the deadliest cities in the world for women to live.
Executive Order
Directed and co-written by Lázaro Ramos, the dystopian film is set in Brazil where an authoritarian government forces all its Black citizens to move to Africa.
I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)
Los Angeles-based filmmaker Angelique Molina tells the story of a widowed mother who tricks her 8-year-old daughter into thinking that they are going camping for fun but are homeless and trying to find a way to get off the streets.
The End of Us
Dominican-American comedian Gadiel Del Orbe and Claudia Restrepo have supporting roles in a comedy about a couple who break up but are forced to continue to live together when California issues its stay-at-home orders after COVID-19 hits.
The Fallout
Mexican-Puerto Rican actress Jenna Ortega (TV’s You) plays Vada, a high school student who must come to terms with a tragedy she experiences. Actor John Ortiz (Bumblebee) also stars.
We Are As Gods
Mexican-American filmmaker David Alvarado co-directs and co-writes a documentary about Stewart Brand, best known for being the editor of the counterculture magazine, Whole Earth Catalog.
4 Feet High
A TV series produced in partnership with Argentina and France, the show follows Juana (Marisol Agostina Irigoyen), a wheelchair-bound Latina teen during her senior year of high school.