Cal State L.A. Receives Gift from Hollywood Foreign Press Association to Support Inaugural Luckman U.S. Latino Film/Video Festival

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has awarded California State University, Los Angeles a $10,000 gift to support the first-ever U.S. Latino Film/Video Festival, to be held at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex on the Cal State L.A. campus, April 15-18, 2004.

The Luckman U.S. Latino Film/Video Festival will showcase approximately 30 new independent U.S. Latino-produced films and videos from across the nation. Together with guest filmmaker presentations, panels, and workshops, the Festival will provide a unique West Coast celebration of films by, for, and about U.S. Latino communities and experiences.

“The Luckman U.S. Latino Film/Video Festival at Cal State L.A. is organized to build bridges/puentes between East and West Los Angeles, between community and the University, and between U.S. Latino independents and the Hollywood Industry,” explains Festival co-director Richard Rodriguez, Cal State L.A. assistant professor of Chicano Studies. “By linking the U.S. Latino Film community, the University’s academic programs, and a diverse audience from communities across from Los Angeles, the Festival will present a distinct forum, capable of developing and showcasing new talents. At the same time, students interested in all aspects of the film industry will be exposed to exciting new learning opportunities.”

According to Festival co-director John Ramirez, Cal State L.A. professor of broadcasting, the Festival is especially designed to involve the University’s neighboring communities of East Los Angeles, and to bring a broad base of grassroots, professional and academic community members together with U.S. Latino film and video independents and industry representatives. This is the only festival of its kind dedicated to U.S. Latino films and videos.

Clifford Harper, executive director of the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, adds, “The Luckman is uniquely equipped and located to celebrate independent films of the U.S. Latino community. We are very proud to be part of this landmark festival.”

For more information on the Luckman U.S. Latino Film/Video Festival, call John Ramirez at (323) 343-4207 or Richard Rodriguez at (323) 343-2198.

Media Contact: Carol Selkin, Media Relations Director, Cal State L.A., (323) 343-3044
OR Adele Field, Marketing Director, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, (323) 343-6616