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.

Watcha!: MIJA

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.

raza cósmica: sleep dealer

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.

raza cósmica: MOEBIUS

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

INDIE LENS POP-UP: THE FIRST RAINBOW COALITION

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.