AWD’s Mentor Latina Directors Fellowship and Black Directors Advancement Initiative invite you to a special day at the inaugural American Latino International Shorts Film Festival on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the LA City Club in Downtown Los Angeles.

Join us for a full day of screenings and panels exploring various stages of the filmmaking process. This event is a celebration of our talent and a chance to connect, share, and learn together.

Please REGISTER HERE to attend. Tickets are complimentary; donations are optional.

ON THE DAY:
Parking: $8 fee for valet parking at the City Club
Food: Restaurant and bar on-site; special $4 tacos on Tuesdays

FULL LINE-UP:

12:30PM – 2PM – MLD Short Films (BLOCK #1)
The Blue Cape by Alejandra López
The Girl Next Door by Donna Bonilla Wheeler
The Fires We Play With by Paulina Manseau
Inside by Jessica Silvetti
Girl in Tank by Jessica Rae
The World Inside by Luisa Novo
The Middle by Sylvia Ray      

1PM – 2PM – CASTING YOUR INDIE FILM PANEL
Moderator: Saray Bravo Guidetti
Panelists:
Lynette Coll, Producer
Natalie Ballesteros, Casting Director
Gabriela Paciel, Director
Natasha Ward, Casting Director

2:05PM – 3:35PM – BDAI Short Films (BLOCK #2)
The Next Girl by Terrah Bennett Smith
Uncomplicated by Juliet Romeo
Just Us  by Alycia Cooper
The Multi by Natasha Ofili
Wise Love by Tomeka M. Winborne
Choices by Kameishia Wooten

3PM – 4:15PM: THE DIRECTOR & ACTOR RELATIONSHIP PANEL
Moderator: Terrah Bennett Smith
Panelists:
Dana Gourier, Actress
Rose Portillo, Actress
Christine Swanson, Episodic and Feature Director
Brandee Evans, Actress

3:40PM – 5:10PM – MLD Short Films (BLOCK #3)
The Funkee Sketch Show by Karla Espino
Mal de Amores by Fiorella Vescovi
72 by Marissa Chibás
Legend of El Cucuy by Cynthia Garcia Williams
A Heart Dies Twice by Itziar Martinez
Lady Justice by Saray Bravo Guidetti  

4:30 – 5:45PM – INNOVATIVE PRODUCING Panel
Moderator: Tomeka M. Winborne
Panelists:
Felicia Pride, Showrunner and TV Producer
Shelly Ro, Actor/Producer
Moira Griffin, Producer
JaNeika & JaSheika James, TV Writers/Producers
Selina Ringel, Producer and Author or Be The Train

5:15PM – 7:15PM – BDAI Short Films (BLOCK #4)
Finding JaMia’s Spirit by Candace D. Patrick
Red Velvet by Danielle Gibson
Marque Dos by Asha Chai-Chang
Saving All My Love by Kristina Thomas
Three’s A Crowd by Chanessa Richa’rd
The Smartest Dumb Girl by Angie Comer
Ollie and The Scary Story by Stacie Hawkins
Stone Mansion by Jan Johnson 

4PM – 6PM – Whiskey Tasting SPONSORED BY JACKSON/MCCRAE WHISKEY
4PM – 8PM – Food & Drinks in THE CABANA (LA CITY CLUB)
6PM – 8PM – MIXER & MUSIC (Latin Jazz Trio)