What is CineFestival?
CineFestival is the nation’s original and longest-running Latinx film festival. This year, the festival celebrates 45 years of supporting local and regional filmmakers while promoting artistic excellence and diversity through the art of film. Many local San Antonio directors and producers, both fresh to the scene and seasoned, will be making appearances alongside their films
45th CineFestival Programming: What to Expect
WHEN: The 2024 CineFestival returns on Thursday, July 11, and runs through Sunday, July 14.
WHERE: Moviegoers can check out their must-see films at two screening locations: the Little Carver Civic Center at the Carver Community Cultural Center and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Park North.
THE MOVIE LINEUP: This year’s CineFestival program features over 75 movie screenings, including 9 feature films, 32 films made in or related to Texas, and 20 Mesquite Award for Best Texas Short nominated films.
THE MESQUITE AWARD NOMINEES: These short films are the heart of the festival’s program. This year’s nominations include 8 documentaries and 12 fiction films about Texas made by some of the most innovative Texan filmmakers over the past three years. The competition consists of films from San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Dallas/Fort Worth, and the Rio Grande Valley.
TICKETS: All-access passes for the entire weekend lineup are only $45, and you can pre-book any screening you’d like. Individual tickets are $8 for Alamo Drafthouse screenings and can also be purchased online. Little Carver screenings are free but require a ticket. You can book your tickets online, and walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Keep in mind that independent films are not rated and may contain sensitive material for minors. All tickets can be purchased on the Guadalupe Cultural Arts website.
All Things San Antonio at CineFestival
A Puro San Antonio Opening Night
In a nod to local filmmaking, the festival’s inaugural day will feature a full slate of films by San Antonio filmmakers.
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 11, the Little Carver will host two showcases of local short films, including work made by San Antonio university students and professional documentary producers.
Later in the evening, the Alamo Drafthouse Park North will kick off with screenings of Suena La Educacion: The Story of Belle Ortiz by Director Gabriel Redondo and local comedy Tamale Season by Director Isaac Rodriguez.
The Vistas de San Antonio Programming
CineFestival is dedicated to supporting local filmmakers right here in San Antonio. The Vistas de San Antonio program section highlights 23 films made in Alamo City. It has something for everyone, including mid-length documentaries about local history, student films from local universities, and independent shorts ranging from comedy to horror.
The grand finale to Vistas programming is a special presentation of And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him by Severo Perez, who will attend the screening commemorating the film’s 30th anniversary. After the movie, Perez will present his new book, A Filmmaker’s Journey, at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore. Born in the Westside of San Antonio in 1941, Perez moved to Los Angeles in 1972 to pursue a career in the motion picture industry and has since earned numerous awards for his work.
Attend the 45th CineFestival in San Antonio
Learn more about CineFestival, check out the movie lineup, and purchase your tickets on the Guadalupe Cultural Arts website.