Our Mission
Cine Las Americas is a multi-cultural, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding and growth by educating, entertaining and challenging diverse audiences through film and media arts.
What people are saying about Cine Las Americas
“Cine Las Americas sets the standard…there are elements of truth communicated in these films that teach us a little bit more about ourselves. We feel it an honor to say we were a part of such a program.”
- Sarah Del Seronde & Paul Stoll, Participating filmmakers
”Cine las Americas has cultivated an audience for the work they want to showcase – vital work that is not experienced elsewhere. While organizing any film festival is never easy, one thing is clear when it comes to Cine las Americas and its like-minded colleagues: It’s all necessary work.”
- Belinda Acosta, The Austin Chronicle
"Veteran observers can sense when a cultural group is ready to graduate. When a particular organization has passed the nascent conceptual stages, heady first months - or even years - of media and audience buzz, honeymoon with early backers or grant-makers, tricky changes in leadership and evolving definition of its identity and mission.
The group is now ready to expand its reach, saturate the public consciousness, establish an institutional record and - no small thing - attract the real money that comes with recognition of its cultural indispensability."
Michael Barnes – Austin American Statesman
“Gosh, you’re tapping into people’s (my) brains and hearts – thank you for broadening perspective. Will look out for you all – powerful!”
- Christy Loya, Audience member
“As a supporter of Cine Las Americas since its inception, I would like to congratulate you, your staff and volunteers and your sponsors and supporters for the great programming you continue to offer. Just when it seems like the films cannot get any better, you consistently raise the bar.”
- Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, Travis County District Clerk.
The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Each year, the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival brings together latino and indigenous filmmakers, actors, and screenwriters from all across the Americas and the Iberian Peninsula. This invaluable cross-cultural exchange enriches the Austin community, connecting diverse audiences with the rest of the world.
Read more: The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Cine Las Americas in Figures
2009 Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
- 3,200 festival attendees
- 116 films screened
- 23 countries represented
- 35 filmmakers in attendance
- 1,000,000 average hits on www.cinelasamericas.org
- 85 total screenings
- 17 free screenings
2009 Revenue
- Public Support: 56%
- Program Services: 24%
- In-kind Support: 20%
2009 Expenses
- Film Exhibition Programs: 70%
- Education Outreach Programs: 20%
- Operations: 6%
- Fundraising: 4%
Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff
As a local non-profit organization, Cine Las Americas' programs and operations depend on the involvelent of talented individuals who volunteer time and resources to fulfill our mission. The organization's staff is always supported by the invaluable work of interns and volunteers, and the Board of Directors and Advisory Board are formed by community leaders, industry professionals, and talented artists.
BeatLab
BeatLab is an after school program that brings together the talent and experience of professional musicians and record producers, with the latest digital music production technology, to elementary, middle and high school class rooms.
BeatLab is an English and Spanish bi-lingual program designed to foster artistic expression, enhance academic achievement, and create career paths for minority students.
The course is designed to foster effective creativity on both an individual and a group basis. The practical application of course components will allow students to become familiar with problem solving, task management and collaboration in the creative process. The final product is a compilation of works produced in cooperation with the instructor to be distributed among the class, as well as the broadcast and/or publication of selected works. Students will also be encouraged to make their compositions available for use in school media such as student-produced film, radio and television in order to illustrate the potential for further study and comprehension and mastery.
Program Director: Brian Ramos.
Instructors: Nick Treviño, Alisha Cloud
During the 2010 school year, Cine Las Americas brings BeatLab to the following schools: Akins High School, Burnet Middle School, LBJ High School, and Martin Middle School.
For More information regarding this program please send us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Emergencia Youth Film Program
As a celebration of young filmmakers, Cine Las Americas presents Emergencia, a special competitive section of the festival open to filmmakers ages 19 and under. This section of the festival is curated by students that participate in Cine Las Americas' multicultural Media Literacy programs.
The 2010 Emergencia screenings contain a great selection of youth films produced by a diversity of individuals and organizations.
Click here to see the 2009 Emergencia program
For More information regarding this program please send us an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Year-Round Film Programming
Throughout the year, Cine Las Americas offers free screenings at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), as well as special screenings and premieres in Austin
Staff, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board
Cine Las Americas Staff
Eugenio del Bosque, Executive Director
Brian Ramos, Program Director, BeatLab
Jean Lauer, Film Programming Associate
Giovanna Colson-Basurto, Public Relations
Elena Bessire, Film Program Coordinator
Denise Garza, Hospitality Coordinator
Rich Vázquez, Webmaster and I.T. specialist
Diana Buendía, Film Program Assistant
Nick Treviño, Instructor, BeatLab
Jessie Torrisi – Instructor, BeatLab
Alisha Cloud – Instructor, BeatLab
Board of Directors
Laura Vilches – President
Entertainment Industry Producer
Jeffrey Trejo – Secretary
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology - American YouthWorks
Juan Guillermo Tornoe – Treasurer
CMO/Partner - Cultural Strategies
David Rice
Author, Lecturer, Film Producer
Advisory Board
Sergio Alcocer
Latinworks
Marcy Garriott
La Sonrisa Productions
Adriana Jimenez
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Bennie Klain
Trickster Films
Paco Link
The J. Paul Getty Museum
Peter Marai
Condor Media
Chale Nafus
Austin Film Society
Charles Ramirez-Berg
The University of Texas at Austin
History
Cine Las Americas (CLA) began in 1997 as a Cuban film retrospective sponsored by the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, Texas. While programming the initial event, the organizers realized that although Austin was building its reputation as an important city for producing and showcasing independent film, films made by and about Latinos were largely absent from the community's cultural landscape. The overwhelming success of the first festival proved that there was an audience for these under-represented voices. With support from the City of Austin and the Texas Commission on the Arts, as well as the local Latino community, CLA made a commitment to become a vehicle for the inclusion of films from all of the Americas, and since 1998, the annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival has steadily grown to become an internationally recognized event.
Contact
Physical Address
81 San Marcos
Austin, TX 78702
Please use this address for shipping preview and screening copies
Favor de usar esta dirección para envio de copias hacia el festival.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1626
Austin, TX 78767
Phone
+1-512-535-0765
Fax
+1-512-535-6268
Click here to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
