The 12th annual edition Hola México Film Festival, billed as the largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico, will make its virtual debut September 11-20 exclusively via the Spanish-language premium streaming service PANTAYA.
In keeping with tradition, the festival will feature 20 films kicking off with Chicuarotes from renowned Mexican actor, director, and producer Gael Garcia Bernal.
“As a result of the current pandemic, we wanted to ensure our industry and filmmaking community continues to connect and develop their careers, even if that cannot happen safely in-person,” comments Samuel Douek, Founder & Director of the Hola México Film Festival. “Pantaya is an innovator in the field of Latin cinema and streaming, and we look forward to partnering with them this year to help ensure that Mexican cinema continues to grow.”
The opening film Chicuarotes centers upon ‘Cagalera’ and ‘El Moloteco’, a pair of young boys who struggle to overcome the poverty that engulfs their community. In order to do this, they perform clown acts on public transportation. Nonetheless, they realize that they do not earn a sufficient living, not even to cover their basic needs. The story takes a radical turn when the young boys begin to rob passengers. The 2019 Mexican drama film was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival and it was selected for competition at the 2019 Shanghai International Film Festival.
For the first time ever, to watch the festival, you need to either be an already existing PANTAYA subscriber, or subscribe using this link. Use code HMFF2020 to save $1.00.
The Hola México Film Festival is comprised of the following sections: México Ahora, Documental, Hola Niños, El Otro México, and Nocturno. México Ahora features the best of Mexican films released in recent years, covering every genre. Documental includes top documentary films made by Mexican filmmakers. Hola Niños features Mexican-made animated films for children. El Otro Mexico highlights experiences of Mexicans rarely portrayed on screen, skillfully presenting perceptive narratives that challenge the status quo. The Nocturno section will present audiences with bizarre and purely horrifying films being produced in Mexico.
México Ahora: “Asfixia,” Director Kenia Márquez; “Amores Modernos,” Director Matías Meyer; “Clases De Historia,” Director Marcelino Islas Hernández; “Chicuarotes,” Director Gael García Bernal; “Los Paisajes,” Director Rodrigo Cervantes; “Blanco De Verano,” Director Rodrigo Ruiz Patterson; “El Deseo De Ana,” Director Emilio Santoyo.
Documental: “Retiro,” Director Daniela Alatorre; “Disparo,” Director Rodrigo Hernández; “El Guardián De La Memoria,” Director Marcela Arteaga; “Radio Silencio,” Director Juliana Fanjul; “Erase Una Vez,” Director Juan Carlos Rulfo; “Yermo,” Director Everardo González; “Vaquero De Mediodía,” Director Diego Enrique Osorno; “Oblatos, El Vuelo Que Curco La Noche,” Director Acelo Ruiz Villanueva.
Nocturno: “Club Internacional Aguerridos,” Director Leandro Córdovs; “Desde Tu Infierno” Director Alexis Pérez Montero.
El Otro México: “At’Anii,” Director Antonino Isordia Llamazares; “Tío Yim,” Director Luna Maran.
Hola Niños: “Un Disfraz Para Nicolás,” Director Ximena Beltrán.
The Hola México Festival also revealed this year’s key art by the México City-based muralist Mauricio Groenewold González. The artwork is a dedication to all Mexicans in the form of a José Guadalupe Posada-style calavera and consists of several Mexican icons that are directed to the heavens, representing their continuous fight to always pursue their dreams. At the top is a film director as well as a cellphone to show its growing importance in media and society. The artwork also includes the classic cinema snack of popcorn as well as the traditional Mexican dance of the viejitos to show the evolution of Mexican dramatic arts.
This year’s TFT is going to be a live online program directed to TFT alumni. TFT alumni can now submit an application with a new short submission. The Hola Mexico Film Festival selection committee is choosing 20 shorts to be screened during the Hola Mexico Film Festival. The 20 participants will also participate in the 6-day online program and will have full access to the festival screenings and events. The selected participants also will serve as jurors for the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Film Choice Award given to one of the feature films in competition.
Lastly, the festival will still include an award ceremony. Recognitions will include best director, best short film, and best audience award.
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