CineMujer opens Tonight

Be sure to catch some great cinema this weekend and next, at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. CineMujer features work from filmmakers from around the world - you can't see most of these films anywhere else. See the CineMujer website for film schedules. All screenings are free. 922 San Pedro, San Antonio TX 78212

PROPIEDAD AJENA San Antonio Premiere

PROPIEDAD AJENA, which filmed in San Antonio in the summer of 2006, will have its San Antonio premiere as CineFestival's Centerpiece film, Saturday, April 12th. Aldonza Velez, Plutarco Haza, and Ludwika Paleta star in the film, and will be attending the screening. Also here will be writer/director Luis Velez and producer Rossana Arau. Film San Antonio / The San Antonio Film Commission will be presenting the Centerpiece film.

THE BOOKIE to Premiere at CineFestival

Mickey and Gibby Cevallos' new feature, THE BOOKIE, which filmed in San Antonio (as ACE IN THE HOLE) will premiere at CineFestival April 12th. Check the film's MySpace site for the latest info, or www.cinefestivalsa.org. I can't wait to see this film.

SLEEP DEALER to open CineFestival

Alex Rivera's SLEEP DEALER will open the 30th CineFestival April 10 - 13th. Alex is jazzed about coming to San Antonio with his film. We spoke briefly at the NALIP Conference last week, and he did a great panel in which he spoke about his 10-year journey of making this film. You've got to see it...

A Gentleman Passes

I heard the news today that someone very special and influential in my life passed away. Many of you in the San Antonio production community, who shot film in the 80's and 90's, most likely knew Charles Floyd. Charles spent his career selling motion picture film processing and services, and was influential in the Southwestern film industry because of his fierce spirit, New Orleans accent, and his readiness to deliver "lagniappe" with every sale.

Charles was the gentleman that recommended me for his own position with Allied Film Lab in Dallas when he retired in 1996, a job which taught me more about this business than any other. Charles was no stranger to San Antonio. He sold most of the TV movies, features and series that shot here in the late 80's and early 90's, especially "Heaven Help Us", which used a special 35mm camera system, 3-perf, which he convinced the film lab to modify their equipment to handle.

Rest in peace, Charles, and thank you.

Charles Edward Floyd
December 23, 1923 - March 10, 2008

Cinefestival 2008

Cinefestival, the 30th running of this respected and perhaps earliest Latino Film Festival, takes place April 10-13th at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on the near West side. Closing the fest will be Luis Vélez's PROPIEDAD AJENA, which was partially filmed in San Antonio in 2006, but takes place entirely in San Antonio, both present day and 18th century.


Stars Ludwika Paleta and Plutarco Haza are attending along with Luis and wife and producer, Rossana Arau. You don't want to miss the San Antonio premiere of this powerful and engaging story of family and betrayal.

Presented by Film San Antonio / The San Antonio Film Commission, with support from Mexicana Airlines and El Tropicano Hotel.

Day 1 at SXSW

Got to Austin today, just in time to see Stephen Acevedo (who I had just seen at NALIP national conference) who's film SHOT screens tomorrow for the first time. We chatted with Jason Wehling, fresh from his LA trip where Chris Eska picked up the John Cassavetes Spirit Award; Jason produced AUGUST EVENING along with Connie Hill and Chris. I'm heading off to see SECOND SKIN, and hopefully meet filmmakers Juan Carlos and Victor Piñeiro Escoriaza. Also hoping to catch up with Bob Byington later on....

NALIP is done - Now on to SXSW

A few images from the NALIP National Conference...

NALIP National Conference

I'm just pulling in from the opening night reception at the NALIP National Conference in Dana Point, CA (yes, the OC). Plenty of familiar faces including Alex Rivera, Dora and Manuel Pena, Robb Garcia, Marilyn Atlas, Veronica Hernandez, Antonio Cisneros, Gustavo Stebner and more. This conference is a who's who in American Latino cinema. Read more about the conference at www.nalip.org.