The Film and TV Track Meet Up Session held at the Omni Hotel Downtown was hosted by Cine las Americas, a multi-cultural, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Austin, Texas. The organization offers theatrical screenings of films made by and/or about Latine/xs or Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Films from Spain and Portugal are also included, enhancing a truly Pan-American cinematic experience. Their mission: Through their film festival and programs, Cine Las Americas empowers the voices and visions of Latine/x and Indigenous filmmakers, the power of their narratives, and enhances the mosaic of the American film landscape.

Gabriel Ornelas, Executive Director; Giselle De La Rosa, Associate Director/Conference Coordinator/Programmer; and Leti Bueno, Deputy Director, hosted the Latine/x Voices in Film: Creatives Meet-Up.

Cine Las Americas celebrated local Latine/x voices in film and the vibrant creative community thriving in Austin. The description for the session was “a chance to connect with international filmmakers and engage with a platform dedicated to amplifying Latine/x stories. Cine Las Americas, alongside organizations like Malakita Productions and filmmaker Alejandro Pedemonte, showcases how local talent shapes the global film landscape. Whether you’re seeking collaboration, inspiration, or a pathway to share your vision, we invite you to connect and be a part of this vibrant, growing community.”

I have attended many of the organization’s events over the years, especially its film festivals, which have been hosted for almost 30 years. While I had not recently attended a Film and TV Track Meet Up Session at SXSW, this experience made me eager to attend future sessions. The session was energizing—I met new colleagues, gained insight into current industry trends, and was encouraged by the strong attendance from Platinum and Film & TV badge holders.

I was not only impressed by the attendance but also by the diversity of the participants, both local and international. I met several individuals who were drawn to networking, some filmmakers, and others who wanted to learn about resources. I was warmly introduced to the audience by Alejandro Pedemonte, a member of the Cine Conference Committee, a Cine Panel Alum, and a Cine Film Alum, who mentioned my press work and community involvement. Pleasantly surprised, I had a couple of the attendees ask for my input about marketing and press.

Source: SXSW, Cine las Americas