The Afro-Latino Short Film Competition is coming to Broward. Here’s what to know
As revelers at Miami Art Week prepare to head home, Fort Lauderdale will be hosting a new crowd of creatives for the first Afro-Latino Short Film Competition.
The inaugural event will be held Sunday at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale. The competition is hosted by the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association.
The idea for the film festival had been simmering for a while, AAFCA president Gil Robertson told the Miami Herald, adding that they wanted to find ways to tell a more inclusive story of the African diaspora.
“Our goal is to take a cinematic view of African-descendant communities through and through,” Robertson said. “A 360-view and not just focus on the African American part of the African diaspora, but the entire diaspora, of which, obviously, Afro-Latinos are a significant part.”
The festival will screen several short films with panels throughout the day that focus on helping filmmakers access resources and networking opportunities with filmmakers from the South Florida market. Trophies will be given to the top three winners, but the first place winner will receive an opportunity to consult with leading agents at Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency and a one-year membership to Film Independent, the organization behind the Spirit Awards.
In addition to the panels, three local artists will be honored with awards. Dominican American singer and “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” star Amara La Negra will receive the Signature Award for her contributions to “challenging the limited idea of Afro-Latinas.”
Miami-based Cuban filmmaker Marco Mall will receive the Legacy Award, highlighting his work founding the Florida Film House and the Urban Film Festival. Omar Acosta, a Puerto Rican-born Emmy-nominated director, will receive the Spotlight Award for his work in film.
Robertson hopes the festival will provide Afro-Latinos with access to more resources and opportunities in the film industry. A 2023 study conducted by USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that Afro-Latinos held less than 1%—eight actors total—co-lead or lead acting roles. There were about 6 million Afro-Latino adults in the United States in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. South Florida is home to 12% of Afro-Latinos, according to UnidosUS, a research, policy and advocacy organization serving the Hispanic community.
Robertson said while Afro-Latinos face challenges with funding and the logistical difficulties of making a film, they have an additional burden of convincing potential investors to believe that their stories will appeal to mass audiences.
“I think that, over time, as people start to see more of a reflection of themselves, have an understanding that these stories are universal, understand that these stories can find an audience, and understand that these stories and storytellers are important, I think that you’ll see all of that change,” Robertson said.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The Afro-Latino Short Film Competition
WHEN: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: African American Research Library and Cultural Center at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
PRICE: Free
INFO: http://www.aafca.com
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 1:27 PM.
