HOLLYWOOD — The City of Angels only art and film festival dedicated to the LGBTQ Latinx and Chicanx communities starts tonight at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s The Village at Ed Gould Plaza.
The festival is a three-day event with tonight designated for art and music and Saturday and Sunday devoted to film, including two series of short films.
Tickets range from $10 to $30.
Here’s are some festival highlights:
FRIDAY
Art Exhibition, “Here. There. Everywhere,” 7-11 p.m.
The exhibit, on display through June 16th, features more than 10 artists, including Enrique Castrejon, whose work reflects the importance of health care and access to it in the LGBTQ community.
Yosimar Reyes, 8:30 p.m.
Yosimar Reyes is a poet, activist and public speaker whose work explores migration and sexuality. His first published work is a collection of poetry titled “For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly.”
The drama “Bruising for Besos” explores a tumultuous relationship between a Xicana lesbian and a Puerto Rican woman.
SATURDAY
Short Films, 2-4 p.m.
“South Bronx Dad” is a 3-minute short film directed by transgender filmmaker Kase Pena that follows a dad from the South Bronx, New York, answering questions about the possibility of his children being LGBTQ.
This web series directed by Armando Ibanez follows Fernando, a Mexican server who works in Los Angeles. He is living with two secrets: he is an undocumented immigrant, and he is a closeted gay man. Not only is he is always lying to society about his legal status, but he must always lie to his family about his sexual orientation.
“Bruising for Besos,” opening night film, 8 p.m.
In this drama, director Adelina Anthony explores a tumultuous relationship between a Xicana lesbian and a Puerto Rican woman.
SUNDAY
Short Films, 3-4:15 p.m.
“The Homo Cholo” looks at the challenges a gay, mixed-race Latino rapper has in a queer community designed largely for white men.
“Star Maps,” 5 p.m.
The closing night film is a screening for the 20th anniversary of “Star Maps.” Carlos who wants to be a Hollywood actor, but is forced to settle in the family business by working as a male prostitute. His luck soon looks up as a rich soap opera star offers him a part in her show, but Carlos soon realizes all that glitters is not gold.
Yosimar Reyes is a poet, activist and public speaker whose work explores migration and sexuality. His first published work is a collection of poetry titled “For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly.” Photo: Yosimar Reyes.
