Hilarity: NYILFF Teaser!

Check out this hilarity! The geniuses at GlobalHue Latino created this hysterical :10 teaser for our ad campaign. Love it!

You can view the full film, written by Margarita Jimeno and directed by Tony Kaye, on July 12!

NYILFF TEASER

Beyond that, I'm totally sweating in this hot-a** office and the work just keeps coming. My to-do list (yes, I actually write a list...) seems to grow geometrically.

Tomorrow AM, we're heading uptown with our friends from HBO to St. Nicholas Park to check out the space for our free outdoor screening on July 26 (rain date August 2!). HBO is coming along because we're presenting an HBO Documentary Film called El Espiritu De Salsa. It's going to be an awesome event, so bring your whole family and enjoy a beautiful, free film in the park!

Liz.
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com
*2hplw*

Updates All Around...

NYILFF

Good News: The schedule is officially set! Woo-hoo! Congrats to the entire programming team; it's a bear of a job and you did it!

Bad News: A sponsor dropped out this AM. Ughhhh!!! They changed their strategy and decided to activate in October vs. July. I'm hoping we can salvage the relationship by customizing an event for them in October, but, for now, it's done. Massive bummer.

Encouraging News: A new potential sponsor has come to the table (we're looking to chat on Friday) and we're still waiting on 2 others. Keep the faith, people! I refuse to give up!!

ELLIOT LOVES

I can finally announce that Hennessy Prestige is Elliot Loves' newest, very generous sponsor. Thank you, Manny! Can't wait for the event in July.

LOTTERY MAN

I officially hired Lina as our casting director! Yay! We (Thomas, Matt, Lina and I) are meeting next week to kick off discussions re:packaging the film, creating a 'look book' and refining our target list for the male and female leads. Freakin' awesome!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

Behind the Scenes: NYILFF Commercial Shoot!

NYILFF
Check out this video, shot and edited by none other than our own, fabulous Lyndon McCray, giving you an on-set, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the 2010 NYILFF commercial.

NYILFF SHOOT: BEHIND THE SCENES!

Side note: As of 5 mins ago, we're still alive for one of our remaining potential NYILFF sponsors. We should hear by week's end. Fingers crossed!!!!

LOTTERY MAN
Lina's 99% hired to help us package and, subsequently, cast "Lottery Man"!! This afternoon, we had a great convo and now I'm just waiting for the final thumbs up from Matt and Thomas. How excited am I? Very!! Thanks for asking!


Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

Harrumph!

NYILFF
So, we were all set with our :30 commercial spot until we received 'the call'; it was rejected by the theater group. Can you believe?!?! They rejected the last 5 seconds, which is brilliant by the way, due to whatever conservative, ridiculous, humorless reasons they had. It's insane. Now we have to re-cut the last 5 seconds just for theater advertising's equivalent of the MPAA. Harrumph!!

LotMan
Pending a call tomorrow tomorrow, we're moving forward with Lina to help us package the film and, post-financing, handle all casting. I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. Soooper exciting.

Elliot Loves
Time to figure out the deets of this new, awesome sponsorship and to plan our July 'Thank You' celebration. Awesome.

Marisa got a promotion; she's now the "Elliot Loves" co-producer. Congrats Marisa!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

2010 NYILFF SITE IS UP!!

THE 2010 NYILFF WEB SITE HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED! CHECK IT...

www.NYLATINOFILM.com

Also, mark your calendars: Tickets go on sale JULY 6!

We just viewed the final :30 commercial spot and it's insane. Totally different. Totally kick ass. I heart GlobalHue Latino, Margarita Jimeno and Tony Kaye. It'll start running in theaters after July 4 weekend.

On a separate note, this afternoon I had a Lottery Man meeting with Matt, Thomas and a dear, old friend, Lina (casting director), regarding packaging the film. I'll give the update on Monday when we finalize next steps, but, suffice it say, I'm super psyched!

On another separate note, it looks like Elliot Loves just landed a new corporate sponsor. I don't want to give deets until we settle the deal points, but I couldn't be more excited. You can't imagine what a huge impact this one deal has. Terracino - you're a rock star! Go team, go!

Have a great weekend!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

Watch 25 mins of "Elliot Loves" now! LIMITED VIEWING WINDOW!

EVENT: WATCH 25 MINUTES OF "ELLIOT LOVES" FOR FREE!/ONLINE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
START TIME: June 15 @ 5:00pm
END TIME: Sunday, June 20 @ 11:30pm
WHERE: Watch it here!

HERE'S THE DEAL:
Click on the link below and watch the rough edit of our film (no color correction or sound mixing yet) for FREE! We need to raise $2,500 in the next 5 days to keep going. If you like what you see, there are 3 ways you can help us stay in production.

1. Click on the PayPal link below;
2. Make a check out to Third World Newsreel. Note it is for "Elliot Loves" and mail it to Gary Terracino PO Box 290, NY, NY 10113 -- this makes it tax deductible; or,
3. Make an equity investment in Papi Chulo LLC. Equity investments start at $1,000.

25 Minutes of ELLIOT LOVES:
http://vimeo.com/12581654

PayPal Link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=11004954

WE NEED TO RAISE $2,500 IN THE NEXT 5 DAYS TO KEEP GOING!
Welcome to indie film in the 21st Century: LIVE IT! LOVE IT! SHARE IT!

You can contact the film's writer/director, Gary Terracino, on Facebook and via email: Elliotloves@yahoo.com.

THANK YOU FILM LOVERS AND FILM SUPPORTERS!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

CLOSING NIGHT ANNOUNCED!

NYILFF Closing Night has been confirmed: the amazing Brazilian film, "Sonhos Roubados" ("Stolen Dreams"). U.S. Premiere!

Director: Sandra Werneck
Writer: Eliane Trindade
Producers: Elisa Tolomelli and Sandra Werneck
Cast: Nando Costa, Amanda Diniz, Kika Farias, Silvio Guindane, Nelson Xavier

Three teenage girls living in poverty and struggling with dysfunctional families and early pregnancy turn to prostitution to survive. Yet despite this grim reality, Jessica, Daiane and Sabrina attempt to partake in the everyday joys and dramas of being teenage girls: they laugh and gossip over new boyfriends, skip school to go to the beach and dream of getting an mp3 player. Theirs is a life of tragedy and beauty. "Stolen Dreams" is a rare film: one that pulls no punches, yet is infused with a gentle, poetic sensibility.

AUDITIONS for "Smell the Coffee", winner of the 2010 HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition! Please send your head shot & resume to Coffee.Film@Me.com. If you're looking to get your foot in the door, opportunity is knocking! Let your inner star shine!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

Win Some, Lose Some

UGGGGHHH... Why must sponsorship torture me so?! I just got the "pass" from a wireless company with whom I've been chatting for 2 years (yes, years not months). Wha what?? The only consolation is the head of multicultural (my friend/contact) is potentially as bummed as I am. With budget cuts, he just couldn't get internal buy-in. He vowed to keep pushing until one day they come on board. I love his enthusiasm and support, but really wanted that partnership this year. Ay carumba!

On a more positive tip, we seem to have strong momentum from a particular beauty brand. I would love, love, love to get an answer before the weekend but, alas, I can't control the client. I've provided all requested info. Now, we wait...

On the programming tip, I know you already know "La Soga" is no longer our Closing Night feature. Fear not, amigos! We have super-fantastic options. We'll announce as soon as we lock. Plus, there are all of these other super hot films that are suddenly coming out of the woodwork. Don't know where these folks have been all this time, but happy to have their interest!

Random Side Note: Tomorrow, I'm meeting up with an old director friend, who's interviewing me for his documentary. I can't really say anything else, but how cool is that?! I'm gonna be in a doc. and it's gonna be juiuiuicy!

Liz.
2phlw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

On-Set Pix from Saturday's Commercial Shoot!!

As most of you know, NYILFF conducted a creative contest for the 2010 commercial, which, in turn, served as the basis for our entire marketing campaign, devised by our kick-a** agency partner, GlobalHue Latino. The winner of that contest is Colombian-born creative, Margarita Jimeno. GlobalHue, Margarita and director, Tony Kaye ("American History X") all worked together on the resulting commercial, which we shot this weekend. A true creative collaboration!!

Check out some of our pix from Saturday's shoot, which was awesome! More importantly, the spot is going to be insane!

Silver Cup Studios in Queens!











Contest winner: writer/creative Margarita Jimeno!










Director and Margarita's creative collaborator, Tony Kaye










Tanya and I looking very serious. ;)











The Set











Team GlobalHue watching and working behind the scenes!














Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

My Head is Spinning!

Holy busy season. Sheesh!

NYILFF SPONSORSHIP
No update since Tuesday's exciting Jose Cuervo news, BUT I think the meeting Sonia and I had today will result in a great new media partner. Stand by for confirmation...

NYILFF PROGRAMMING
I will list ALL official International films in tomorrow's blog. Woo-hoo!

NYILFF CREATIVE
Pending HBO's approval, the key art is donezo and it's awesome. I can't wait to show it to you. So c0lorful, fun, retro-cool. Me gusta! PLUS, we approved the new web site skin and architecture and it is sizzling. Spoon+Fork kick a**!!

NYILFF PRESS
Time Out NY has committed editorial this year. FINALLY! Okay, New York Magazine... it's your turn. Get with the program and support some multicultural programming. I mean, seriously, what's the problem here?!

"LOTTERY MAN"
I reconnected with my old friend, Lina, about helping us package the film and then, upon financing, serve as our casting director. She's into it and has the script. Fingers crossed we can make it work. Yes we can! ;)

"ELLIOT LOVES"
I set up a meeting for later tonight between Terracino (writer/director) and Juan (producer) with my friend, who's a DJ and music producer. Let's see if we can't get my boys some free music!

Liz.
2hplw
Cinedulce.com
NYLatinoFilm.com

NYILFF Programming Announcement!

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL (NYILFF) ANNOUNCES ITS OPENING NIGHT FILM “THE DRY LAND” STARRING AMERICA FERRERA AND WILMER VALDERRAMA AND “LA SOGA” STARRING MANNY PEREZ AND DENISE QUIÑONES AS ITS CLOSING NIGHT FILM

“TRÓPICO DE SANGRE” (“TROPIC OF BLOOD”) STARRING MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ IS PRESENTED ON DOMINICAN NIGHT

New York, N.Y. May 31, 2010 – The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) announces THE DRY LAND as its Opening Night and LA SOGA as its Closing Night films unspooling in New York City from Tuesday, July 27 to Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) and the School of Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues). Additionally, the gripping TRÓPICO DE SANGRE will headline Dominican Night on Thursday, July 29 at Columbia University Alumni Auditorium (168^th Street at Fort Washington). Tickets are available beginning June 25 at the festival’s box office at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the festival's web site: www.NYLatinoFilm.com. NYILFF is presented by HBO™.

“NYILFF is very excited to be presenting these outstanding films,” says Calixto Chinchilla, Executive Director NYILFF. “Each year we bring audiences better and more varied Latino content starring some of the biggest stars from Hollywood and Latin America and throughout the world. Our Opening, Closing and Dominican Night films really exemplify the wide range of Latino cinema today.”

OPENING NIGHT, Presented by Johnnie Walker

“THE DRY LAND” - Starring America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama.

Tuesday, July 27 @ 7 PM @ School of Visual Arts Theatre – 333 W. 23^rd St. (bet. 8 & 9)

James (Ryan O'Nan) returns from Iraq to face a new battle -- reintegrating into his small-town life in Texas. His young wife (America Ferrera), his mother (Melissa Leo) and his best friend (Jason Ritter), provide support but they can't fully comprehend the pain and suffering he feels since his tour of duty ended. Lonely, James reconnects with an Army buddy (Wilmer Valderrama), who provides him the compassion and camaraderie he desperately needs. A taut, moving story of redemption and reconstruction, "The Dry Land" is about one soldier's war to reconnect with his own soul.

CLOSING NIGHT, Co-Presented by Heineken

“LA SOGA” – Starring Manny Perez (WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, EL CANTANTE) and Denise Quiñones (Miss Universe 2001, SMALLVILLE on the WB)

Saturday, July 31 @ 7 PM @ School of Visual Arts Theatre – 333 W. 23^rd St. (bet. 8 & 9)

In a poor, corrupt neighborhood in the Dominican Republic, 10-year-old Luisito witnesses his father’s vicious murder. Preying upon Luisito’s desire for revenge, General Colon (Juan Fernandez), the head of the secret police, takes Luisito under his wing and transforms him into a heartless killer. Twenty years later, Luisito (Manny Perez) is Colon’s top assassin, driven by the promise to face his father's killer. Into Luisito's world comes Jenny, whose tenderness rekindles his long-dormant conscience. As his eyes open to the corruption around him, Luisito realizes the price for altering his life's path may be his life itself. LA SOGA is a searing portrayal of one man’s quest for redemption. LA SOGA is an action-packed thriller set in the Dominican Republic and New York City and is inspired by true events. The film is being released through 7-57 Releasing on August 13 in NYC and the top 10 U.S. Markets.

DOMINICAN NIGHT, Presented by Heineken

“TRÓPICO DE SANGRE” (Tropic of Blood) – Starring Michelle Rodriguez, Cesar Évora

Thursday, July 29 @ 7 PM @ Columbia University Alumni Auditorium (168^th at Fort Washington)

By the late 1950’s, Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo's reign of terror over the Dominican Republic had lasted nearly thirty years, and yet the Mirabel sisters, led by feisty, passionate Minerva, would come to represent the greatest threat to his regime. Daring to stand up against him, they soon became folk heroes to the oppressed Dominican people. Their cold-blooded murder at the hands of Trujillo's thugs would prove to be the fearsome dictator's ultimate undoing.