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LALIFF Opens with Border Town Dramedy
25 Mar
Summary
- LALIFF's 25th edition opens with 'Valentina' film.
- The dramedy centers on a young woman's life at the border.
- Nava Mau will lead the features jury at the festival.
The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) will commence its 25th anniversary celebration with the premiere of "Valentina." This dramedy, directed by Tatti Ribeiro, is set against the backdrop of the busiest U.S.-Mexico border crossing. It features Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Valentina, a young woman navigating parking tickets, odd jobs, and the precarity of gig work.
Ribeiro's feature directorial debut merges comedy with documentary, incorporating real-life footage and political interviews. The film employs a cinéma vérité style to depict the complexities of growing up in a border town. Jessica Alba and Tracey Nyberg executive produce the project. LALIFF, a key program of the Latino Film Institute, takes place from May 27-31 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The festival, now in its second year as an Academy Award-qualifying event, will also introduce the Adelante Award for Industry.
