The Chicano Hollywood Film Festival is set to debut from July 17 to 20, 2025, in Pomona, California, marking a significant moment for Chicano and Latino storytelling. This event emerges against the backdrop of ICE raids targeting undocumented farm laborers in Southern California, positioning itself as both a celebration of Chicano culture and a form of protest. The festival aims to amplify the voices, struggles, and resilience of the Chicano and Latino communities through the power of film and storytelling.
Opening the festival is 'The Last Brown Beret,' a feature film directed by Del Zamora, based on Alfredo Ramos's book. This film revisits the legacy of the Brown Berets, Civil Rights activists from the 1960s, drawing parallels to today's challenges faced by the Chicano community. Johnny Murillo, founder of Chicano Hollywood, emphasizes the festival's role beyond entertainment, stating it's a call to action to stand up for the community through storytelling.
The festival will showcase over 90 short films, television pilots, music videos, and digital projects from emerging Chicano and Latino filmmakers across the U.S. and Latin America. Highlights include documentaries and comedies that explore themes of identity, resistance, and healing, such as 'Ugly Little Monkey' and 'Horchata With Oat Milk.' These works offer a diverse look into the Chicano experience, from generational conflicts to urban survival stories.
Beyond screenings, the festival will feature live DJ sets, Q&A panels, and networking events, alongside the launch of the Chicano Hollywood Academy. This initiative seeks to train the next generation of Latino creatives in various aspects of filmmaking and content creation. Festival Director Francisco Roel views this as the beginning of a movement to empower Chicanos and Latinos in owning their narratives and spaces within the entertainment industry.
The Chicano Hollywood Film Festival represents a pivotal step towards reimagining representation in Hollywood, offering a platform for underrepresented voices to share their stories. For more information on the festival schedule and tickets, visit www.ChicanoHollywood.com.
