Photos: New York Latino Film Festival
NEW YORK, NY, September 21, 2026 – The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) marked its 26th anniversary with a dynamic lineup of award-winning projects that showcased the richness and diversity of Latino storytelling, running from September 13–20, 2026. The Festival opened with the New York premiere of Otra, directed by Armani Ortiz. Over the course of the week, hundreds of moviegoers experienced more than 125 films from both established and emerging filmmakers, representing 20 countries. The program spanned a wide range of genres and formats, including features, shorts, documentaries, web series, and experimental works. Winners were announced on Saturday, September 19, across categories including U.S. Narrative Feature, International Feature, Futuro Web Series, Documentary Feature, Short Film, and Honorable Mention.
“Reaching 26 years of NYLFF while celebrating our vibrant culture fills us with immense gratitude and pride. This year, the spotlight on musicals brought an extra surge of rhythm, passion, and brilliance to the screen, perfectly echoing the spirit and resilience of our community. A big thank you to Warner Bros. and their unwavering support and to our incredible audiences, we continue to hit new notes and expand a lasting platform that elevates Latino storytellers for generations to come,” said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder of the New York Latino Film Festival.
NEW YORK LATINO FILM FESTIVAL 2026 WINNERS:
BEST U.S. FEATURE
Tropical Park | Directed by: Hansel Porras Garcia
During a driving lesson, two Cuban siblings — a newly arrived trans woman and her estranged conservative brother — face each other for the first time in years, with Miami passing silently outside the windows.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
Abril | Directed by: Hernán Jiménez
Abril has spent fifteen years pouring her heart into raising her daughter—sacrificing dreams, sleep, and sanity. But the world tips sideways when her kid announces she’s had enough and wants to move in with her father. Determined to keep her family intact, Abril embarks on a whirlwind mission to prove she’s the only home her daughter needs.
BEST SHORT FILM
Norheimsund | Directed by: Ana A. Alpizar
A girl’s long-distance romance with an older Norwegian man promises to pull her and her mother from their austere life in Cuba, but her dreams are shaken when she realizes he isn’t as idyllic as he seems.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
They Dream | Directed by: William David Caballero
After twenty years chronicling his Puerto Rican family, a director and his mother face devastating losses. Through tears and laughter, they craft animations that bring their loved ones back to life, discovering that every act of creation is also an act of letting go.
BEST WEB SERIES
Loco | Directed by: Eddie Mujica
A surreal, dark comedy about mental health’s stigma in the Latino community. At his first therapy session, Rafael Reyes relives the anxious thoughts and overbearing family that boiled over on the night of his 25th birthday. Based on a true story of false thoughts.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jodón | Directed by: Erin Ramirez
Set in the Bronx early 2000’s, JODÓN follows siblings Andrea and Joel, children of Dominican immigrants navigating adolescence, identity and survival in a community pulsing with culture and constraint. While Andrea is driven and determined to rise beyond their circumstances, Joel finds refuge in his artistic talent, struggling to stay grounded amid the pressures of his environment. Their unbreakable bond is shattered when a routine trip to the bodega leads to Joel’s arrest for marijuana possession – an incident that results in his detention and eventual deportation to Dominican Republic, a place he hasn’t called home since the age of 3.
NYWIFT FILMMAKER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DIRECTION OF DOCUMENTARY SHORT (2 WINNERS)
13.4 Seconds to Nowhere | Directed by: Llaima Suwani
13.4 Seconds To Nowhere highlights the deeply personal narrative of a Puerto Rican athlete whose Olympic dreams were shattered by a hurricane. Once defined by a 13.4-second 100-meter race time she, years later, seeks to redefine her purpose. Her quest to overcome this obstacle is not for glory, but for essential self-discovery and healing.
Casa Amadeo | Directed by: Ariana Marie Luque
Miguel Amadeo is a beloved Puerto Rican Salsa pioneer keeping New York’s longest-running record shop alive as it faces an uncertain future in The Bronx.
SPONSORS
NYLFF is presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, with HBO as a Founding Partner. Official Partners include Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Audible, and Regal, with additional industry support from the Motion Picture Association. The event is also made possible by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Participating sponsors and partners include Jim Beam, AARP New York, Berkeley College, MetroPlusHealth, PIX11, SAG-AFTRA, Sony Pictures, Third World Newsreel, and Talento Unlimited. The Futuro Digital Conference, produced by Un Chin Media, is presented by Audible and Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages. Programming for NYLFF Uptown is made possible with the support of New York City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa of District 10, Alianza Dominicana, Catholic Charities, and the United Palace.
For sponsorship and brand partnership opportunities with the country’s leading Latino and multicultural film organization, please contact Talento Unlimited via email at [email protected].
ABOUT THE NEW YORK LATINO FILM FESTIVAL (NYLFF)
Since its inception in 1999 by Calixto Chinchilla, the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) has solidified its standing as the nation’s premier Latino cinematic event. With a core mission to cultivate audiences for Latino cinema, strengthen the film community, and foster collaborations within the entertainment industry, NYLFF has become a beacon for Latino creatives across multiple mediums.
Its diverse programming includes the flagship film festival, the Futuro Digital Conference, a national touring series, and the award-winning marketing arm, AGENCY NYLFF, celebrated for its innovative and culturally resonant campaigns. NYLFF also proudly partners with One-Fifty, Warner Bros. Discovery’s artist studio, to champion original voices and nurture groundbreaking storytelling under the NYLFF Cinematics banner.
For more information, visit www.NYLatinoFilmFestival.com and follow NYLFF on Facebook (@NYLatinoFilm), Instagram (@NYLatinoFilmFestival), and Twitter (@NYLFF).