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New York Latino Film Festival Marks 25 Years and There’s Still Time to Join the Celebration
- Damian Ali
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Archived Event: This event took place from September 13 to September 21, 2025. This article remains available as part of TalkTeaV’s Bronx Moments archive.
NYLFF 2025 is in full swing with films, reunions, and a free community block party.
Courtesy of NYLFF
The New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with screenings, reunions, and live events across New York City, and there’s still time to join in. Running through September 21 at Regal Union Square and United Palace, the nation’s leading Latino film festival is bringing more than 120 films from 15 countries to local audiences. Tickets and details are available at nylatinofilmfestival.com.
The festival opened with Mad Bills to Pay, a Bronx-based story directed by Joel Vargas and starring Juan Collado and Destiny Checo. The film, presented by Amazon MGM Studios, explores young love and survival in the borough, making it a fitting choice for a festival rooted in Latino storytelling and community.
One of the year’s highlights is the encore screening of Girlfight (2000), the debut of Michelle Rodriguez, followed by a cast reunion. Rodriguez, whose performance won her Independent Spirit and Gotham awards, is also receiving the NYLFF Impact Award, recognizing her legacy as a trailblazer for Latino actors in Hollywood.
The Bronx Zoo’s Harvest Glow brings glowing pumpkins, animatronic dinosaurs, and fall family fun on select nights. Read about this annual Halloween celebration. Harvest Glow is back!
Here are some of the spotlight screenings still on the schedule:
A Tiro Limpio (In a Hail of Bullets) — A U.S. premiere from the Dominican Republic, this action-packed thriller follows a thief out for revenge and the police captain on his trail. Directed by Jean Gabriel Guerra. Screening Thursday, Sept. 18 at United Palace.
La Salsa Vive (Salsa Lives) — A documentary tracing salsa’s journey from 1960s New York to its revival in Cali, Colombia, featuring Rubén Blades, Willie Rosario, and other legends. Screening Thursday, Sept. 18 at Regal Union Square.
Girlfight (2000) — Michelle Rodriguez’s breakout film returns with a 25th anniversary reunion. Directed by Karyn Kusama. Screening Friday, Sept. 19 at Regal Union Square.
On the Outs (2004) — A gritty docudrama about three young women in Jersey City, screening with a 20-year reunion. Screening Saturday, Sept. 20 at Regal Union Square.
20 Pounds to Happiness — A romcom written by Josefina López (Real Women Have Curves), about love, friendship, and tough choices. Screening Saturday, Sept. 20 at Regal Union Square.
For the full list of screenings and events, visit nylatinofilmfestival.com.
Festival founder Calixto Chinchilla reflected on the milestone year: “Marking 25 years of NYLFF is profoundly personal for me. This milestone celebrates the people, stories, and culture that have shaped who we are. Since the beginning, we’ve fought to create a space where Latino voices are seen, heard, and valued.”
The week will close with a free block party at Quisqueya Plaza on Broadway and Dyckman Street. The event takes place Sunday, Sept. 21, starting at 12:30 p.m., and features Dominican rapper J Noa, a 19-year-old two-time Latin Grammy nominee.
From premieres to reunions to community celebrations, NYLFF’s 25th anniversary offers a unique chance to experience Latino culture on the big screen and in the streets of New York. With screenings continuing through September 21, audiences still have time to be part of the milestone year.
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