EXCLUSIVE: The Latino Film Institute has announced the lineup for the 24th edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), from May 28 through June 1, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatres. This year’s festival will feature the return of the LALIFF Eastside programming at Regal L.A. Live, the LALIFF Film Market, and an expanded LALIFF Industry Forum.
The festival will open with ASCO: Without Permission, written and directed by Travis Gutiérrez Senger, executive produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna, and featuring special appearances by Zoe Saldaña and Michael Peña. LALIFF will close with Serious People, co-written and co-directed by Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson, which is being shown for the first time on the West Coast.
ASCO: Without Permission is a film that tells the story of the pioneering Chicano art collective ASCO, whose activism and artistic vision challenged mainstream representation in the art world, Hollywood, and the media. While unrecognized in their time, the group is now regarded as one of the most important artistic movements of the 20th century.
Serious People follows Pasqual, a successful music video director, who hires a doppelgänger, Miguel, to take his place as he prepares for fatherhood. The plan, designed to balance work and family, also brings an opportunity for mentorship. As Pasqual and Miguel’s personalities collide, the film explores the anxieties of impending parenthood and the absurdities of the entertainment industry.
This year’s lineup includes titles that premiered at major international festivals. From Sundance: Rains Over Babel by Gala del Sol and Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, Dile que no Soy Malo) by Joel Alfonso Vargas. From SXSW: 42nd Street by Jose Maria Cabral, Uvalde Mom by Anayansi Prado, and American Sons by Andrew James Gonzales. From TIFF: Beloved Tropic by Ana Endara, Linda by Mariana Wainstein, Carnival Is Over by Fernando Coimbra, and The Freedom of Fierro by Santiago Esteinou.
Stay Still by Joanna Lombardi premiered at Málaga, while Espina by Daniel Poler screened at the Miami Film Festival. From DOC NYC comes Isla Familia by Abraham Jimenez Enoa and Claudia Calviño. Also featured is Shaman by Antonio Negret, which was first presented in the inaugural LALIFF Film Market and later secured distribution.
The lineup includes feature films, short films, episodic works, animation, masterclasses, panels, networking sessions, and musical performances.
“When we launched this festival in 1997, it was born out of a profound love for our culture and a determination to create space where our voices could not only be seen, but celebrated. Today, LALIFF stands as a testament to decades of passion, perseverance, and the undeniable brilliance of Latino creators in film and television. As our reach continues to grow, our commitment remains the same: to support outstanding work and continue building opportunities for our community through the stories we tell,” shared Edward James Olmos, Co-Founder of LALIFF.
LALIFF Eastside returns in 2025 with a continued focus on stories that reflect the diverse experiences and communities of Los Angeles, with screenings at Regal L.A. Live. The fims include: Yelyna De León’s feature directorial debut 20 Pounds to Happiness, a world premiere written and produced by Real Women Have Curves’ Josefina Lopez; La Raya, an international premiere from LALIFF alum Yolanda Cruz, which will screen alongside her short film 40+; and Aot Rivera’s Los Angeles Canvas, which will have its world premiere and was part of the inaugural LALIFF Film Market in 2024.
Presenting its U.S. premiere as part of the program is Trans Los Angeles, directed by Kase Peña, who was part of the inaugural cohort of the LFI Inclusion Fellowship in 2020. The film received the Don Quixote Award for Best Picture at FICIMAD and the Best Actress in a Feature Award for Carmen Carrera. Additionally, LALIFF Eastside will include Manifest, one of the festival’s shorts programs.
As part of the Episodic Shorts program, LALIFF will feature Born 2 Lose, a new project from the creative team behind Chiqui, which premiered at Sundance. The lineup also includes the premiere of the first episode of Leguizamo Does America, Season 2, the acclaimed docuseries in which John Leguizamo explores the rich history, culture, and contributions of Latino communities across the country.
“This festival continues to be a powerful gathering space where art, education, and the entertainment industry come together in service of our community. Thanks to the continued support of our sponsors, we’ve been able to build on last year’s milestones, like launching the film market and expanding to a second venue. These efforts reflect a larger mission at the Latino Film Institute, where all of our programs work in tandem to empower the next generation of storytellers,” said Axel Caballero, CEO of Latino Film Institute.
LALIFF has been officially added to the list recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Oscar Qualifying Festival. With this designation, films that win the Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short and U.S. Latino Animated Short categories at the festival will now be eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. The festival will also present awards for Best U.S. Latina Director of a Live Action Short and Best U.S. Latino Episodic Short.
The festival will also present awards for Best U.S. Latina Director of a Live Action Short and Best U.S. Latino Episodic Short. This year, LALIFF will introduce two new awards: The LFI Industry “Legado/Legacy” Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry, and the LFI Education “Adelante/Forward” Award, celebrating excellence in education.
The post LALIFF Sets 2025 Film Festival Lineup With Gael García Bernal & Diego Luna-Produced Doc ‘ASCO: Without Permission’ To Open appeared first on Deadline.
