Diverse stories from across the Americas will be taking over on screen in Austin once again for the 27th Annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF27). Hosted at the Austin Film Society Cinema from May 14-18, this long tradition highlights Latine/x, Indigenous, and Latin American voices and emphasizes the work of Texas filmmakers.

The festival is put on by the Austin-based nonprofit Cine Las Americas, which sets a goal to "push conversation about timely issues with stories from and about those affected most." The film lineup has not yet been announced, but topics gleaned from other events under the festival umbrella include cross-boarder collaboration, alternative pathways through film, and Latine representation in media.

In addition to the main festival, a brand new Emergente Youth International Film Festival at the Millennium Youth Complex (1156 Hargrave St.) the following weekend offers more than $8,000 in cash prizes, red carpets, and free screenings that are open to the public.

Creatives 19 years old or younger will be highlighted in the youth festival. The festival's debut as a standalone event emphasizes Cine Las Americas' commitment to the younger demographic.

“The same problems, issues, and challenges we face in life affect our youth in so many similar ways,” said Emergente Youth International Film Festival co-director Christian D. Nelson. “Through Emergente, we get to give those youth a platform to share their experiences, emotions, and ideas through film. I believe having Emergente become its own celebration, with its own identity, gives the young creatives their own space to celebrate and focus on their accomplishments, their stories, and their own voices.”

This is also the first year that the main festival includes a film conference on May 16 and 17, held at the City of Austin PDC Center (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr.) Established filmmakers, amateurs, and the public are all welcome. Some confirmed attendees include Troublemaker Studios founder and Spy Kids franchise producer Elizabeth Avellan, and Emmy award-winning director David Blue Garcia (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Tejano).

Attendees from 2024 may have attended a pilot program for the new festival. This new iteration is an expanded offering that is open to the public for the first time, and is thus considered the inaugural conference.

"This year’s festival, the films, special program selections, conference, festival gatherings and receptions reflect why Cine Las Americas continues to be recognized both nationally and internationally as a festival that is unique not only in the high quality of the films programmed, but the opportunities both filmmakers and festival attendees can engage in,” said Cine Las Americas executive director Gabriel Ornelas. “People are excited to be a part of Cine Las Americas.”

A special events schedule for the conference is as follows:

Friday, May 16, from 12:30-4:30 pm

• Breaking Borders: Co-Producing between the US, Latin America and Spain
• ¡Saint Primo! Presents Behind the Brush: How makeup artists shape stories, transform actors, and build lasting careers in film.
• Non-Traditional Pathways: Alternate Journeys in filmmaking.

Saturday, May 17, 12:30-4:30 pm

• Emerging Technologies: Podcasts, VR, & New Technologies in storytelling
• Filmmaker Roundtable: Latine/x Voices in the Mainstream
• Keynote Conversation: Conversando con Elizabeth Avellán

A special fundraising event precedes the festivals and conference. Pachanga — Lights, Legacy, Action: Telling Our Stories will be held at Vesper Austin (3106 E 14th 1/2 St.) on Saturday, April 26 from 7-10 pm. Guests can enjoy music, dancing, a silent auction, and light food, with all proceeds supporting the 2025 festivals and Cine Las Americas' mission going forward. Tickets at $75 before April 25 and $100 at the door.

CultureMap is staying tuned for more information on the film lineup, and will update the story when the full schedule becomes available.