The Chicano Hollywood Film Festival is set to make its inaugural run from July 17 to July 20, 2025, at The Union in Pomona, CA. This event emerges at a critical moment, as ICE raids target undocumented farm laborers across Southern California, positioning the festival as both a cultural celebration and a platform for protest. It aims to amplify the narratives, challenges, and resilience of the Chicano and Latino communities through the power of film and storytelling.
Opening the festival is "The Last Brown Beret," a timely feature directed by Del Zamora, based on Alfredo Ramos's book. The film revisits the legacy of the Brown Berets, Civil Rights activists from the 1960s, drawing parallels to today's urgent need for justice and unity within the Chicano community amidst fears of raids and mass arrests. Johnny Murillo, founder of Chicano Hollywood, emphasizes the festival's role beyond entertainment, stating it's a call to action to stand up for the community through storytelling and truth.
The festival will showcase over 90 short films, television pilots, music videos, and digital projects from emerging Chicano and Latino filmmakers across the U.S. and Latin America. The lineup includes a diverse range of stories focusing on identity, resistance, humor, and healing. Notable films include "Ugly Little Monkey," a documentary by Enrique Castillo; "Horchata With Oat Milk," a comedy by Christian "LV" Leyva; "A Little Family Drama," a dramedy by Nadia Zoe; "Cholita Takes LA," an exploration of female empowerment by Sylvia Ray; and "Lost in the Barrio," a gritty urban story by Alberto Portillo.
Beyond film screenings, attendees can enjoy live DJ sets, Q&A panels, networking events, and the introduction of the Chicano Hollywood Academy. This initiative aims to train the next generation of Latino creatives in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Festival Director Francisco Roel highlights the festival's broader mission to empower Chicanos and Latinos to own their stories and futures in entertainment, marking the beginning of a movement for greater representation and voice in Hollywood and beyond.
