- Following an announcement earlier this week of their official Opening/Closing night films, Cine Las Americas announced today the list of titles selected for participation in the Hecho en Tejas program at the 17th Cine Las Americas International Film
Festival, which runs April 22-27, 2014.
For this year, the Hecho en Tejas program showcases 14 films representing work by filmmakers
from around the state, including Austin, Arlington, Corinth, Edinburg, El Paso, Houston, San
Antonio, and San Marcos. While some of these films are indeed made by upcoming talent,
bringing diverse content and maturing, local voices that can reach universal audiences, the
selection also includes the works of veteran filmmakers. As a whole, these films add to Cine Las
America's level of diversity and artistic excellence, and compliment the festival's international
lineup, which includes more than 140 films from over 30 different countries.
"This year has been amazing for Texas films and filmmakers, and with 5 features and 9 shorts,
our Hecho en Tejas program is bigger than ever! I think that audiences will be surprised by the
level of diversity within this Hecho en Tejas lineup. Both in terms of places in Texas being
represented, and Texas filmmakers traveling outside of the state to tell stories of local, national
and international interest," Jean Lauer, Programming Director, Cine Las Americas.
Other sections of the festival also feature Texas-ties, including films in the Emergencia Youth
Film Competition, the Cine Joven: Mundos Diferentes telenovela from Austin School of Film,
and a retrospective of early Chicano films directed by San Antonio native, Efraín Gutiérrez. More
details to come about these programs.
About the 'Hecho en Tejas' program
Cine Las Americas presents "Hecho en Tejas," a series of films shot and/or produced in Texas,
to showcase the wide variety of work being produced in the state by filmmakers with varied
backgrounds. This year's Hecho en Tejas film presentations will take place during the festival on
Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 at the Marchesa Hall and Theater, Austin Film Society's
new home for classic, independent and art house film programming. For a fifth consecutive
year, Cine Las Americas is pleased to count on a partnership with the Texas Archive of the
Moving Image (TAMI), to present a jury award to the best "Hecho en Tejas" film.
About the films
Features
Chateles del campo (Country Kids)
Dir. Jason Outenreath
Nicaragua/USA, Documentary, 2013
CHATELES DEL CAMPO is a playful and deeply personal documentary about growing up in rural
Nicaragua. Connecting educators, parents, and kids, the film explores crucial issues facing the
country through the lighthearted tone of its youthful protagonists. Following the students and
teachers of two rural elementary schools over the course of an academic year, school is
revealed not just as a place of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also a place to learn the
responsibilities of adulthood that loom large over many children's daily lives. CHATELES DEL
CAMPO explores the space where the forces of education, environment, and childhood collide,
and celebrates the fact that no matter the country, culture, or language, kids will be kids.
LaDonna Harris: Indian 101
Dir. Julianna Brannum
USA/ New Zealand, Biographical Documentary, 2013
The film is the first documentary about Native activist and national civil rights leader, LaDonna
Harris. After moving from Walters, OK to Washington DC with her US Senator husband, Harris
began an extensive and public life of Indian political and social activism. One of her first
assignments was to educate the executive branch of the US government on the unique role of
American Indian Tribes and their relationship with the federal government. This course was called
"Indian 101" and was taught for over 35 years. The film explores her achievements, the personal
struggles that led her to become a voice for Native peoples, and her contemporary work to
reshape Indian Country in America and abroad.
Las Marthas
Dir. Cristina Ibarra
USA/ Mexico, Documentary/History, 2013
The annual debutante ball in Laredo, Texas is unlike any other. Part of the largest celebration of
George Washington's birthday in the world, a select group of mostly Mexican-American girls is
chosen each year to dress in elaborate gowns representing iconic figures from America's
colonial history. Their goal: to recreate a party hosted by Martha Washington, but this time set
along the US/Mexico border. A year in the making, each girl's dress can weigh 100 lbs and cost
up to $30,000 -- nearly the median family income of Laredo. Las Marthas follows two of the
girls -- Laurita Garza Hovel and Rosario Reyes -- as they prepare for this extraordinary rite of
passage. The theatrical release of this film, which we are pleased to present, features footage
and delves more into complexities not included in the broadcast version.
Micha
Dir. Eugene Martin
USA, Drama/Coming of Age, 2013
The death eight years ago of Micha's Lebanese father left he and his Mexican mother destitute.
When his mother dies suddenly, it leaves Micha no choice but to leave Mexico and seek work
and a future in the United States. Micha attempts to navigate the northern route of migrant
and service workers to build a life for himself in Texas. After staying on the streets in Brownsville
and Dallas, Micha lands in the small town of Denton, Texas where he meets a homeless young
woman, Penny, who helps him learn how to survive and find community.
Waiting for Sandoval
Dir. David B. Carren
USA, Thriller/Fantasy, 2014
Daniel Ortiz lost the only thing that mattered to him when his fiancé was murdered in the
jungles of Central America ten years ago. When he attends a stage play about that painful era,
Daniel is suddenly pulled into the production itself, and finds himself trapped in a Central
American prison the woman he loves. Will he save her? Will they get a second chance? Or will
they die together in a place with no name or hope?
Shorts
Almost Crimes
Dir. Diego Vega
Peru/USA, Drama, 2013
Ex-Votos
Dir. Ivete Lucas
Mexico/USA, Drama, 2013
Gift of Gab
Dir. Diego Rico
USA, Comedy, 2013
Hinojosa
Dir. Juan Pablo González
USA/Mexico, Biographical Documentary, 2013
La cuesta: Worlding a Sidewalk
Dir. Alvaro Torres, Daniel Perera
Costa Rica/Guatemala/USA, Experimental Documentary, 2013
Life of Giorgio
Dir. Sergio Carvajal-Leoni
USA/Italy, Comedy, 2013
La dama y el caballo (The Horse Bride)
Dir. Simon Quiroz
USA, Drama/Fantasy, 2012
The Good Kind
Dir. Ofelia Yanez
USA, Drama/Coming of Age, 2013
The Book of Joe
Dir. Mario Pena
USA, Action/Sci-Fi, 2013