Past EVents
RAZA cósmica
October 12 - 14, 2023
The 3rd annual festival showcased films from Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Peru, United Kingdom, and the United States. Directors in attendance included Tish Arana, for the world premiere of The Burden, and Ivan Flores (La Curandera Cumbiambera) for the Xicanx Versus Aliens podcast with Joaquin Muerte and Carlie Guevara (Spaceship).
Thank you to festival sponsors, the Latino Collection and Resource Center, Mexican American Civil Rights Institute, Slab Cinema, Jump-Start Performance Co., Indie Grip, Bubbl’r, and Dulce Sueños!
Locations: Arthouse at Blue Star, Central Library, Jump-Start Performance Co.
A MILLION MILES AWAY
September 9, 2023
Directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella
Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A MILLION MILES AWAY follows him on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the support of his family, José’s drive and determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal.
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute.
Location: Santikos Casa Blanca | 11210 Alamo Ranch Parkway
BLUE BEETLE
August 15, 2023
Closing out MACRI's Summer Film Series, curated by MonteVideo, is the first superhero film directed and written by and starring Latinos, including Xolo Maridueña in the title role! #SupportLatinoCreatives
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute.
Location: Santikos Mayan Palace | 1918 SW Military Dr.
dive-in cinema
August 12, 2023
Cool off on a warm summer night with Dive-In Cinema featuring a trio of indie shorts at Elmendorf Pool!
Día de Las Carpas
Directed by João Dall’Stella
After an immigration raid in their apartment building, a group of boys help an undocumented girl get to the beach to reunite with her family, unaware that their new friend has a magical secret that will change their lives forever.
Daughter of the Sea
Directed by Alexis C. Garcia
After the death of her grandfather, a young woman experiences a spiritual awakening when she is called by Yemaya, the orisha Goddess of the Sea.
Distant Water
Directed by Carlos Avila
A boy grows up in 1943 Los Angeles during a time of race riots and segregated swimming pools.
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute and the City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation.
Location: Elmendorf Pool | 3700 W. Commerce St.
TEEN FILM WORKSHOP
July 6, 2023
Learn about filmmaking from local filmmaker Esmeralda Hernandez in this FREE workshop.
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute and the City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation.
Location: Garza Community Center | 1450 Mira Vista Dr.
June 7, 2023
Directed by Eva Longoria
Flamin' Hot is the story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn Flamin' Hot Cheetos into a snack that disrupted the food industry and became a global pop culture phenomenon.
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute
Location: Santikos Palladium | 17703 W. I-10
June 5, 2023
Directed by Andrés Muschietti
Red carpet screening of The Flash with special guest Sasha Calle who portrays Supergirl!
Location: Santikos Palladium | 17703 I-10 W.
May 31, 2023
Directed by Hector Galan
With his rallying cry of “SU VOTO ES SU VOZ," — your vote is your voice — Willie Velásquez started a grassroots movement that would change the nation’s political landscape and pave the way for the growing power of the Latino Vote.
Presented in partnership with the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute
Location: Jaime's Place | 1514 W. Commerce St.
April 8, 2023
Directed by Shireen Alihaji
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Free Chol Soo Lee by Julie Ha and Eugene Yi.
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
Watcha!: latina spring
March 30, 2023
The Watcha! Film Series celebrates Women’s History Month with Latina Spring, a curated showcase of inspiring short films by Latina and Indigenous directors!
What We Just Don’t Tell Our Girls by Monica Crystal Ocegueda, Dream Carriers by Esmeralda Hernandez, When You Clean a Stranger’s Home by Sharon Arteaga, Mujer de Tierra (Woman of the Earth) by Evelyn Mercedes Muñoz Marroquín, Long Line of Ladies by Rayka Zehtabchi and Shanndine Tome, and Las Artivistas: The Journey from Artist to Activist by Guillermina Zabala.
Sponsored by the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute
Location: Jaime's Place | 1514 W. Commerce St.
The Ritual to Beauty
March 18, 2023
Directed by Shenny De Los Angeles and Maria Marrone
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Storming Caesar's Palace directed by Hazel Gurland-Pooler
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
February 3, 2023
Directed by Gabriela Badillo Sánchez
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Love in the Time of Fentanyl by Colin Askey
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
November 10, 2022
Directed by Abel Sanchez and Andres Alegria
Sponsored by the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation and the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute
Location: Jaime's Place | 1514 W. Commerce St.
November 4, 2022
Directed by Luan Dias
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Move Me by Kelsey Peterson and Daniel Klein
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
October 6, 2022
Directed by Chuco Garcia
Preceded by Mr. Zoot Suit by Chan’Cellore Makanjuola
Location: Jaime’s Place | 1514 W. Commerce St.
RAZA cósmica: XICANX VERSUS ALIENS
October 1, 2022
Hyper-Reality by Keiichi Matsuda, In Search of Aliens by Susan Aparicio, Yoshua by Matthew Castellanos, Luminous by Than Niles, and Nuevo Rico by Kristian Mercado
Location: Central Library | 600 Soledad St.
September 8, 2022
Directed by Isabel Castro
Location: Jaime's Place | 1514 W. Commerce St.
April 28, 2022
Directed by Jason Park
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Try Harder! by Debbie Lum
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
RAZA cósmica: STAR MAPS
March 28, 2022
Retain by Grace Goen, Time by Adam Gonzalez, RECuerdo by Alfonso M. Rodriguez, In Search of Aliens by Susan Aparicio, Luminous by Than Niles, Nuevo Rico by Kristian Mercado, La luna y el colibri (The Moon and the Hummingbird) by Luis Fernando Puente, and Chicana Stardust by Benjamin Huerta and Itamar Lilienthal
Location: Arthouse at Blue Star | 134 Blue Star
March 19, 2022
Directed by Sai Selvarajan
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Writing with Fire by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
February 12, 2022
Directed by Michéle Stephenson and Imani Dennison
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Apart by Jennifer Redfearn
Virtual Screening
January 9, 2022
Directed by Jon Ayon
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Missing in Brooks County by Jeff Bemiss and Lisa Molomot
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
October 23, 2021
Directed by Alex Rivera
Preceded by The Satellite Space Center of Colombia (Centro espacial satelital de Colombia) by La Decanatura (Calderón & Piñeros)
Location: Cassiano Park | 1728 Potosi St.
raza cósmica: children of men
October 14, 2021
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Preceded by Retain by Grace Goen
Location: ArtPace | 445 N. Main Ave.
October 12, 2021
Directed by Gustavo Mosquera
Preceded by La luna y el colibri (The Moon and the Hummingbird) by Luis Fernando Puente.
Virtual Screening
raza cósmica: xicanx versus aliens
October 9, 2021
The Satellite Space Center of Colombia (Centro espacial satelital de Colombia) by La Decanatura (Calderón & Piñeros), Windows by Maru Buendia-Senties, Mnemosyne Rising by Miguel Alvarez, The Gliders of Arco-do-Santi by Jaime Cano, and Chicana Stardust by Benjamin Huerta & Itamar Lilienthal
Location: Mission Marquee Plaza | 3100 Roosevelt
May 16, 2021
Directed by Lizette Barrera
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: The Donut KIng by Alice Gu
Virtual Screening
April 11, 2021
Directed by Ya’Ke Smith
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Philly D.A. by Ted Passon, Yoni Brook, and Nicole Salazar
Virtual Screening
March 14, 2021
Directed by by World Channel
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Coded Bias by Shalini Kantayya
Virtual Screening
February 14, 2021
Directed by Opiyo Okeyo
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: Mr. Soul! by Melissa Haizlip
Virtual Screening
January 24, 2021
Directed by Jackie Barragan
Presented as part of Indie Lens Pop-Up: 9to5: The Story of a Movement by Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar
Virtual Screening
June 16, 2020
Directed by Matt Wolf
Virtual Screening
January 28, 2020
Directed by Ray Santisteban
Location: Presa House Gallery | 725 S. Presa St.
All in-person events were held in San Antonio, Texas.