MonteVideo
San Antonio’s annual showcase of science fiction and speculative films by Latinx and BIPOC filmmakers returns October 10-12, 2024!
This year's festival spotlights films from Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and takes place at Arthouse at Blue Star, Cassiano Park, and Jaime's Place.
As with all MonteVideo events, all screenings are FREE!
Sponsored by the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute (MACRI) and American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AIT-SCM).
raza cósmica schedule
Activist/Musician Joaquín Muerte hosts a live episode of his original podcast, Xicanx Versus Aliens, an exploration of “all things UFO, cryptozoology, paranormal, occult y mas from a person of color perspective.” Filmmakers Edwin Raul Oliva and Dylan Hensley and special guest Alejandra Herrera (Itu Ninu, Roma) join Muerte to discuss Latinx sci-fi cinema. Followed by a curated selection of cosmic-infused short films: Angels by Samantha Aldana, A Haunting Across the Galaxy by Edwin Raul Oliva, Border Hopper by Nico Casavecchia, The Ballad of Tita and The Machines by Miguel Angel Caballero, and Somos Borderlands by Dylan Hensley.
Afrofuturism expresses notions of Black identity, agency, and freedom through art, creative works, and activism that envision liberated futures for Black life. This vibrant selection of shorts by Afro-Latina and Black directors includes films from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States: The Golden Chain by Adebukola Bodunrin and Ezra Claytan Daniels, Daylight Rules by Alex Browning, The Fore-men by Adrian Bobb, Chimera by Kryzz Gautier, and We Are Not Alone by Adebukola Bodunrin.
Itu Ninu by director Itandehui Jansen tells the story of two climate migrants, Ángel and Sofia, who try to connect through old fashioned letters in a highly controlled smart city in the year 2084. Mixtec and English with English subtitles. Jesse Borrego will be conducting a Q&A with actress Alejandra Herrera after the acreening!
Preceded by En Memoria by Raza Cósmica alum Roberto Fatal, a short film about a dystopian future, where a mother struggles to finish making her daughter’s Quinceañera dress.
cinema under the stars: BLUE BEETLE | 7:00 PM
Closing out the 4th annual Raza Cósmica is the first live-action superhero movie starring, written by and directed by Latinos: Blue Beetle, directed by Angel Manuel Soto.
An alien scarab chooses Jaime Reyes to be its symbiotic host, bestowing the recent college graduate with a suit of armor that's capable of extraordinary powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle.
Preceded by: Lupe Q and the Galactic Corn Cake, a short film by Javier Badillo, tells the story of when Lupe and her band find themselves battling a monstrous creature in outer space, her abuela's lessons finally remind Lupe that connecting to her Latina roots is important, and punk rock is more than just loud music.
Be sure to bring your chairs and blankets!
Attendees can enjoy free paletas provided by MACRI; fresh popcorn and face-painting courtesy of Countdown City Geeks; and free comic books from Heroes & Fantasies, Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy - Medical Center, Big Alpaca Comics, and Alien Worlds! Water and sports drinks donated by District 5 City Councilwoman Teri Castillo.
All screenings are free. Seating is limited at Friday's screenings at Arthouse at Blue Star. RSVP here.