Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Broken Embraces’ opens the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival

Oscar Winner Pedro Almodóvar’s new film “Broken Embraces” will open the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). The film stars Academy Awards winner Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandiano and Tamar Novas.

Opening night is Sunday, October 11 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA).
Festival Co-Founder Edward James Olmos says, “Almodóvar is truly one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. A true maverick in our industry, whose films have inspired many filmmakers in our culture, have ignited the careers of some of our brightest stars and has opened so many doors in the industry.”

The 13th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival will run from October 11-October 16  at Mann Chinese 6 Cinemas in Hollywood. The festival will present feature films, documentaries, shorts and special screenings. In addition, filmmakers and the public will be able to participate in workshops presented by the Writers Guild and Directors Guilds of America as well as musical and arts events.

Festival highlights include: feature film “Down For Life” (USA) Screening Time: Thursday October 15 @ 7:00 Grauman’s Chinese and documentary “Latino Music USA: Bridges- Chicano Wave” (USA) Screening Time:Wednesday October 14 @9:35 and Short Films in the comedy category:

EL TIO FACUNDO (MEX/CUB), Alejandro Cachoua,
NO SE PREOCUPE, (SPAIN) Eva Ungria Lupian
PORQUE HAY COSAS QUE NUNCA SE OLVIDAN (SPAIN), Lucas Figueroa
EL TRIP (USA), Ventura Montoya,
EL TUX    (USA), Paco Farias,
TWILIGHT TANGO (USA), Jason C. Sting
THE LAST WHITE DISHWASHER (USA), Claudia Duran

For more information on the LA Latino Film Festival and to purchase tickets, visit: LLFF

The West Coast premiere screening of Jackson 5 In Africa Saturday August 22 in Los Angeles

The Downtown LA Film Festival will show “The Jackson 5 in Africa” for its closing-night gala. Director Mamadou Johnny Sekka documents the Motown sensations on their 1974 trip to Senegal, with father Joe as escort for their first African tour.   The unfinished film was cut short after investors ran out of funding. It sat around for decades until it was found and released by the Harlem-based nonprofit ImageNation Cinema Foundation.  To read more about the film, click: Jackson 5 in Africa.

Check out a trailer of the film below:

First Look: Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey JR

Here’s a look at the trailer for the upcoming Sherlock Holmes movie starring Robert Downey JR opening Christmas Day  2009.

Harry Potter Cast All Smiles Despite The Rain At London Premiere

The cast and the fans of Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince were all smiles and fun despite the rain at the London premiere. The film, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, opens on July 15.

Daniel Radcliffe Photo:Getty/Tim Whitby

Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe Photo: Getty/Jon Furniss

Check out the trailer for the film:

Public Enemies Premiere With Johnny Depp

The Los Angeles Film Festival hosted the Public Enemies premiere. The Michael Mann film stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Oscar winner Marion Cotillard.

Photo: Johnny Depp (Wire Image/Lester Cohen)

Photo of Marion Cotillard, Michael Mann and Christian Bale (Wire Image/Lester Cohen)