The 15th Anniversary San Diego Latino Film Festival Opening Night

Thursday was the 15th Anniversary of the San Diego Latino Film Festival. We stopped by UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center for the press conference. Expected was Mexican actress/producer Carmen Salinas, Luis Felipe Tovar, Julio Bracho and more.

Mariachi played as Carmen Salinas, La Madrina del Festival, made her way to the stage. On stage she was joined by Ethan van Thillo, founder and executive director of the festival, where she was honored with a green three-layer cake. Afterwords she was joined by her co-stars from La Misma Luna, a film about a Mexican boy who travels to the U.S. to find his mother after his grandmother passes away.

Next up were Mexican actors Julio Bracho and Luis Felipe Tovar who hugged and grabbed each other like longtime friends reunited after a long period apart. Both actors were promoting together Llamando a un ángel, a film that follows three characters with the same name, Angel Flores Fuentes, who each receive a desperate phone message by mistake that sends them through a life-changing turn of events. Bracho was also honored with the festival’s Top 10 to Watch award.

Also at the press conference was Mexican actress Lorena Velasquez who received a tribute award.