When 29-year-old Calixto Chinchilla saw the final line-up of the one hundred films that will be featured in this year’s New York International Latino Film Festival, an event that he founded nearly a decade ago from his childhood room in the Amsterdam Houses, he remembers feeling gleefully shell-shocked.
“This was supposed to be the small little video thing in Spanish Harlem,” says a modest Chinchilla. “I was the biggest skeptic but yet the biggest believer, there was nothing to model this festival. I guess I didn’t think it would grow so quickly.”
The event, now in its ninth year, will be a star-studded, six-day film extravaganza featuring more than three dozen world and New York premieres.
“American Son,” a film about a Marine’s last weekend before being shipped to war starring Nick Cannon and Lower East Side native Melonie Diaz, will open the festival.
Can we expect Cannon’s bride, Mariah Carey to walk the red carpet with her new hubby?
“We know that he’s coming for sure and we certainly wouldn’t be mad if Mariah shows up,” laughs Chinchilla.
“The cool thing about this festival is that stars come and there’s no diva-tripping,” says the film lover. “It’s all about the films and the fans and celebrating Latin culture,” he says.
“The Ministers,” a gritty drama inspired by true events starring John Leguizamo and Harvey Keitel is slated to close the event.
The festival will also mark Daddy Yankee’s acting debut. The Spanish language film “Talento del Barrio” is scheduled to make its world premiere.
“It’s like an ‘8 Mile’ meets ‘Get Rich or Die Trying’ meets ‘Carlito’s Way,'” explains Chinchilla of the movie, which the reggaetón star also financed.
“I really think people are going to be surprised that this guy can act,” he says of the Puerto Rican rapper.
This year, the festival expanded to several venues around the city, including four screens, two in Midtown and two in Chelsea. Besides long features, documentaries and shorts, there will also be concerts, industry panels and retrospective tributes, including one celebrating Gregory Nava’s memorable career.
July 22 -27, NYILFF, nylatinofilm.com, $80 for a six-day pass, $20 for premieres.
Here our picks:
* “American Son,” starring Nick Cannon and indie fave Melonie Diaz.
* “Talento del Barrio,” starring Daddy Yankee. In Spanish
* “Days of Wrath,” ensemble cast featuring Laurence Fishburne, Wilmer Valderrama and others.
* “Big Pun: The Legacy,” documentary about the late Boricua rapper.
* “Chop Shop,” starring Alejandro Polanco, Isamar Gonzalez and others.
* “Very Young Girls,” documentary about child prostitutes in New York City.