NEW YORK, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York International Latino
Film Festival (NYILFF) celebrates its 10th Anniversary as the premier
Latino film festival in the country, unspooling in New York City from
Monday, July 27 to Sunday, August 2, 2009. This year, NYILFF will debut in
its new venues at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street
between 7th and 8th Avenues) and the Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd
Street between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets go on sale July 04 and will be
available at the festival's box office at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and
the festival's web site: http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com. NYILFF is presented by
HBO(TM).

    Major stars that will be igniting the screens this year's festival are
Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Calle 13, Ruben Blades, Vin Diesel,
Christina Milian, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Jim Jones, Kerry Washington,
Brandon Routh, Illeana Douglas, Shannyn Sossamon, Lara Flynn Boyle, Esai
Morales, Ericka Alexander, Voltio, Tego Calderon, Gilberto Santa Rosa,
Victor Rasuk, Kuno Becker, Ana de la Reguera and Al Sharpton.

    "We are very excited to be celebrating our 10th Anniversary," says
Calixto Chinchilla, Executive Director. "The NYILFF began as a dream to
showcase our talent and to empower Latinos. We've been fortunate to have
grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly
anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across
the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for
everyone."

    "Our 10th Anniversary is a testament to the strong support we receive
from our corporate partners and the community, at large," says Elizabeth
Gardner, Executive Director. "The NYILFF has come a long way since 1999,
and we continue to break ground as the #1 showcase for Latino and Urban
films and filmmakers."

    "We congratulate the NYILFF on reaching a 10-year milestone," said
Lucinda Desir, vice president, Acquisition and Multicultural Marketing at
HBO. "Their spirit, passion, energy and commitment to the Latino film
community are just some of the reasons why we come back every year. They
have truly raised the NYILFF to the premier Latino festival that it is
today."

    10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

    OPENING NIGHT - Tuesday, July 28

    LA MISSION. Opening Night is the New York premiere of LA MISSION,
starring Benjamin Bratt, Jesse Borrego, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez
and Talisa Soto Bratt. LA MISSION is writer-director Peter Bratt's rich and
powerful story of a man's journey toward redemption through his struggle
with violence and homophobia. The film is produced by Benjamin Bratt,
Alpita Patel and Peter Bratt. Sponsored by Heineken.

    JOHN LEGUIZAMO TRIBUTE: - Wednesday, July 29

    WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES. The NYILFF and Tres Generaciones(R) Tequila
are proud to honor John Leguizamo, a great Hollywood success, a shining
example to our community, and a long-time supporter of NYILFF. Leguizamo
will be honored with the Tres Generaciones COA Award, a special award
created by the brand to recognize outstanding achievements in Latino
filmmaking. The film is the story of Frank, Angela, and their two children
who are evicted from their New York City apartment and have no choice but
to move into a homeless shelter. After a few difficult months, good news
comes on Christmas Eve: a nearby housing project has an apartment available
immediately, but Frank needs a job to qualify. While the rest of the city
prepares for Christmas, Frank and his stepson roam the cold streets of New
York trying to find a job by day's end. Where God Left His Shoes is the
story of a family that refuses to break apart during the darkest time of
their lives and discovers that they will survive as long as they have each
other.

    DOMINICAN NIGHT - Thursday, July 30

    DON'T LET ME DROWN. Directed by Cruz Angeles. In a post-September 11th
world overflowing with fear and hate, two Latinos discover that sometimes
the only thing that can keep them from drowning is love. Presented by
Heineken, sponsored by HBO(TM) and the Dominican American Professional
Alliance.

    CLOSING NIGHT - Saturday, August 1

    LA LINEA. Directed by James Cotten, LA LINEA is the story of rival
mobsters and mysterious assassins waging warfare on the mean streets of
Tijuana. It is a gripping crime drama with an all-star cast that includes
Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Esai Morales, Armand Assante, Bruce Davison, Jason
Connery, Michael DeLorenzo, Joe Morton, Valerie Cruz, Jordi Vilasuso, Danny
Trejo, Kevin Gage and Gary Daniels. Presented by DIRECTV Mas, sponsored by
Heineken and Tres Generaciones(R) Tequila.

    PREMIERES

    CALLE 13: SIN MAPA. Calle 13's innovative fusion of urban music with
pan-regional sounds from across Latin America has garnered a Grammy, Five
Latin Grammy awards, and worldwide critical acclaim. In Sin Mapa, we join
the socially outspoken duo on their journey "Without a Map" across South
America for an exploration of indigenous music and culture.

    LOS BANDOLEROS/FAST & FURIOUS. Los Bandoleros is the never-before-shown
in theaters short film that reveals what happened to ex-con Dom Toretto
(Vin Diesel) after his disappearance at the end of the original
adrenaline-pumping blockbuster, "The Fast and the Furious." Living as a
fugitive in the haven of the Dominican Republic, Dom's tranquil life is
eventually affected by a series of political and personal events, including
his friendship with Don (Don Omar), Tego (Tego Calderon) and Han (Sung
Kang), and the unexpected appearance of Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).

    This leads to the latest adventure in the series, "Fast & Furious".
When a tragedy brings Dom back to Los Angeles, his long dormant feud with
FBI agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) threatens to reignite -- until they
discover a common enemy. Dom and Brian declare a precarious truce, as they
try to outmaneuver their adversary and exact revenge. From convoy heists to
precision tunnel crawls across international lines, the two men push the
limits of what is possible behind the wheel as they live for speed, drive
for the rush and break all the rules!

    RED APPLES FALLING. An uncensored look into the life and music of
Harlem rap superstar Jim Jones and his Dipset Byrdgang. Rappers Mel Matrix,
Sandman, NOE, Freeky Zeeky and Chink Santana comprise the most dangerous
assembly of talent and muscle to emerge in decades from the streets of NY.
Their real life stories, uncovered in hard-hitting interviews by Angie
Martinez, weave together gritty realism with musical interludes.

    LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN. Based on the 1993 best-selling novel by Buddy
Giovinazzo, LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN shows the gritty, hard realities of a
neighborhood, as well as the struggling, proud people who attempt to
survive. The intertwining stories come together in a powerful climax of
love and salvation, showing that despite the obstacles of life in the inner
city, humanity and hope can still prevail.

    ASSAULT IN THE RING. For the first time ever, the HBO Sports(R)
Documentary ASSAULT IN THE RING reveals the real story behind the infamous
1983 Luis Resto-Billy Collins Jr. fight at Madison Square Garden -- a
boxing match turned thirty-minute criminal assault.

    BRING IT ON: FIGHT TO THE FINISH. Christina Milian stars as sassy cheer
captain Lina Cruz, whose world is turned upside-down when her family moves
from the urban streets of East Los Angeles to the sunny beach town of
Malibu. At her new school, Lina clashes with Avery, the ultra-competitive
all-star cheer captain, while also falling for Avery's super-cute brother,
Evan. Lina's always been able to rise to a challenge, but can she create a
new all-star squad, beat Avery at the Spirit Championships, and still keep
her romance with Evan? Hot music, fierce competition and high-flyin' fun
continue in this all-new movie!

    OTHER PREMIERES

    --  PARISO.  Directed by Leon Ichaso.
    --  SULTANES DEL SUR (Sultans of the South).  Directed by Alejandro Lozano.
    --  LA CLAVE. Directed by Mariella Sosa.

    --  ROAD TO THE HOLY LAND. Documentary featuring Al Sharpton.
    As the leading U.S. Urban Latino Film festival with an estimated annual
audience of 25,000, the NYILFF's continued growth and success is due, in
part, to its unique position as the only Latino film festival specifically
targeting the second and third generation, English-dominant, acculturated
Urban Latino - an increasingly powerful demographic that has caught the
attention of Madison Avenue. According to the latest Pew Research Center
figures, Latinos will comprise nearly 30% of the entire U.S. population in
the next few decades and is growing at a rate 2-3 times faster than the
general population. By all accounts, any marketer wishing to add new
consumers MUST target the Latino demographic.

    The 2009 NYILFF is presented by HBO, and made possible with the
additional support of HBO Latino, Heineken, DIRECTV Mas, American Airlines,
The Hollywood Reporter, Daily News/VNY, Telemundo, WNBC, 103.5 KTU and 93.1
WPAT FM. The NYILFF is also proud to have as Benefactors Cafe Bustelo,
Clarins, El Diario La Prensa, El Especial/El Especialito Newspapers,
glaceau, nocheLatina.com, Tres Generaciones(R) Tequila and Cinelatino.
Venue partners are Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9, Visual Arts Theater, New
York Restoration Project, Imagenation and Showbiz Software. Technology
partners are Analog Digital and Audio Video Group. Special Thanks to Avid
Technology Inc., Crunch, National Association of Latino Independent
Producers, Screen Actors Guild, Urban Latino Media Group and the Mayor's
Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting(R).

    About the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF)

    Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2009, The New York International
Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is now the premier Urban Latino film event in
the country. The NYILFF's mission is to showcase the works of the hottest
emerging Latino filmmaking talent in the U.S. and Latin America, offer
expansive images of the Latino experience, and celebrate the diversity and
spirit of the Latino community. Programming includes the flagship film
festival in NYC, new music and art showcases, free community events,
scholarships, and a nationally recognized short film competition in
partnership with HBO. The NYILFF has been endorsed by Mayor Michael
Bloomberg's NYC Latin Media and Entertainment Commission since its
inception in 2003.

    (c) 2009 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. HBO and related
trademarks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

    Press Contact:  Reyes Entertainment (213) 483-4511
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    Yesenia De Avila (917) 650-3933
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    Festival Press Contact:  Jennifer Abreu (646) 287-9566
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    PRESS CREDENTIALS:  http://nylatinofilm.com/press-industry/accreditation.php

    Web Links:  http://www.nylatinofilm.com
                http://www.cinedulce.com

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