San Diego, California/January 30, 2009 – San Diego Latino Film Festival continues its mission to help correct the often distorted images seen on television and in movies by presenting another year of the Cine Gay Showcase. Challenging the historical exclusion of under-represented communities in the media, the festival takes advantage of the opportunity of this showcase to highlight experiences of gay life in different corners of the world, underlining the universal experience as well as the unique expressions of the Latin GLBT community.

"Throughout the past sixteen years, the festival has always embraced diversity in independent film, which certainly included LGBT Films, but the audience interest in the Cine Gay Showcase these past four years really puts a face on the community, internationally and right here in San Diego. "Said Cine Gay Curator Patric Stillman. "It's been exhilarating to see the showcase bring about dialog between members of the greater Latino Community regardless of how they define their own sexuality."

This year, the Cine Gay Showcase returns to the big screen with light hearted comedies, riveting short films, and heartfelt documentaries for mature audiences. The festival schedule, including the entire Cine Gay line up will be announced on February 15, 2009.

Opening Night – March 12 @ 7:30 PM - FUERA DE CARTA / CHEF'S SPECIAL

Javier Camara (Pedro Almodóvar's Talk to Her & Bad Education) camps it up deliciously, injecting wit into his performance as a high-strung and anally retentive chef trying to keep his life in balance while surrounded by his foul mouthed and unlucky-at-love staff, his family and the hot Argentinean soccer star next door. Even in a light-hearted comedy, Camara shows why he is easily one of Spain 's best actors! Spanish with English subtitles.

Directors Tribute – March 19 @ 8:30 PM - Julián Hernández (scheduled to appear)
RABIOSO SOL, RABIOSO CIELO / RAGING SUN, RAGING SKY

With two decades of work under his belt, esteemed Mexican director Julián Hernández continues to push the boundaries of the cinematic narrative with visually lush, slow burning, personal films. His dreamlike 2003 B&W film Mil nubes de paz cercan el cielo, amor, jamás acabarás de ser amor /A Thousand Clouds of Peace was honored with a Teddy Award from the Berlin International Film Festival for its frank, sexy and hypnotic handling of a gay relationship filled with longing and rejection. In 2006, El Cielo Dividido / Broken Sky exploded on the screen with vivid colors washing over the near silent exploration of boys in love and lovesick. The Festival is honored to bring the Director to San Diego , along with his latest release Rabioso sol, rabioso cielo / Raging Sun, Raging Sky that features a mythical gay romance that transcends time and his latest short film Vago Rumor de Mares en Zozobra. Spanish with English subtitles.
CINE GAY Community Sponsors include Babycakes, Bacchus House, Diversionary Theater, El Nuevo Latino Link (GLT), FilmOut San Diego , Greater Business Association, the LGBT Community Center and Que Pasa San Diego .

Cine Gay International Short Film Program is Saturday, March 21st at 3:30PM

Featuring Campillo Sí, Quiero, an insightful documentary about a small Spanish village that took a stand on equality and said "I Do" to gay marriage and transformed an entire community. Other international short films spotlight gay Ken dolls, lesbian spies, chatty tourists and a late night booty call. This diverse collection of short films for the guys and the gals is strictly for mature audiences. Spanish with English subtitles.
*San Diego Latino Film Festival will be co-presenting the latest film, from the Directors of Quineanera, PEDRO about the short life of openly gay, HIV positive Cuban-American Pedro Zamora who was cast in MTV's The Real World: San Francisco at this year's 2009 FilmOut San Diego (May 28-31,2009)

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD) is a non-profit organization with a mission to nurture and support media artists working in film, video, audio, and computer-based multimedia. The San Diego Latino Film Festival was originally established as a student film festival. Since that time, the festival has developed into one of the larger and most well respected Latino film festivals in the country. Over 120,000 people have attended and over 1,000 films/videos from across Latin America and the United States have been screened.

Celebrating the best in international Latino cinema at the longest-running Latino Festival in Southern California , San Diego Latino Film Festival proudly announces its 16th anniversary edition. The Festival will be held from March 12-22, 2009 at UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center ( 7510 Hazard Center Dr. San Diego , Ca 92108). Close to 20,000 festival goers will have the opportunity to attend over 150 screenings, meet approximately 100 actors and filmmakers and attend workshops, live music events, parties and other exciting events.

Sponsors for San Diego Latino Film Festival '09 include San Diego Union-Tribune, Macy's, Bank of America, Enlace, Southwest Airlines, City Of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture, MTS, National Endowment for the Arts, County of San Diego, Nickelodeon, Univision KBNT 17, Telemundo 33, La Invasora 99.7, Pulsar 107.3 FM, La Poderosa 860 AM, Jack FM 100.7, Azteca America San Diego, Riviera Magazine, El Latino Newspaper, El Mexicano, AT&T, Latino Public Broadcasting, California State University San Marcos, Brazil Today, Gente Bien Magazine, Radio Latina 104.5 FM, La Mejor 99.3 FM, Brazilian Pacific Times, Z90.3 FM, Magic 92.5 FM, EXA 91.7 FM, Universidad de las Californias, TijuaNEO. Blazin 98.9FM.

Tickets are $9.50, for general audience, and $7.50 for Students, Seniors, Military & MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO Members (ID required). 2009 Film or Festival Passes are also available. Film Pass is $90, which includes entrance to 11 films, no waiting in lines and VIP seating and the Festival Pass , which is $180 and includes OVER 100 programs, no waiting in lines, VIP seating, 4 workshops, 1 year FREE MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO Amigo membership, and entrance into all three Festival Galas.

For additional information about the film festival, group rates, festival schedule, festival passes or the Media Arts Center please call (619)230-1938, EXT. 101 or visit the SDLFF website at www.sdlatinofilm.com.