The third annual Central American International Film Festival takes place in Hollywood Nov. 3 through 5.

Created to showcase works about Central American struggles, history, culture, and talent, the CAIFF will feature nearly 30 films in various categories such as full features, shorts, documentaries, student works and a specific division for U.S. Latino works. It will also feature performances, art exhibits, workshops and question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers.

The festival was by founded in 2015 by Oscar Domínguez and Juan Carlos Bojórquez. Currently, Oscar Dominguez Jr. is the CAIFF’s executive director.

CREATING A UNIQUE SPACE
“The Central American International Film Festival nurtures and promotes Central America’s burgeoning film movement by showcasing and supporting filmmakers, writers and talent from Central America and its diaspora communities throughout the United States and beyond,” reads a statement on the festival posted on FilmFreeway, a platform to submit films. “We seek to create a space that brings together cultural workers and a large and varied audience that has yet to see their themes and realities explored on the big screen. It is the first time for many to see and hear symbols and language that truly represents the diversity and richness of the region.”

WHY L.A.?
There is a reason the festival is help in Hollywood. The organizers say they want to bring the “best cutting-edge and contemporary Central American films to Los Ángeles, the greater metropolitan area with the highest number of Central American immigrants in the United States and one of the largest community of emigrés in the world.”

FREE ADMISSION
The festival is free and takes place at the Los Angeles Film School, 6363 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90028.

SPONSORS
CAIFF is sponsored by Cinelandia, Actuality Media, Fiesta Auto Insurance, Imagine Printing Solutions, Volcan Market and the L.A. Film School, among others.

For more information visit http://centralamericanfilmfestival.com or call (323) 402-0059.

PROGRAM

Day 1, Friday, Nov. 3
Doors open: 5:30 pm
6:00 Opening Ceremony
Performance: Marimba (musical group from Guatemala)
Films:
6:35 “Oscar Arias: Without a Shot Fired”
7:45 “Latin American Dream” (Followed by Q&A)
8:15 Him, Her, and I (Followed by Q&A)
8:40 Stand by Me (Followed by Q&A)
9:20 Abrazame Como Antes (Followed by Q&A)

Day 2, Saturday, Nov. 4
Doors open: 1:30pm
2:00 “Actuality Media Workshop: Social Documentary Filmmaking”
“Cycle of Change” (Short Film)
“Revoluzion” (Short Film)
Performance: Viva Panamá Folklórico
Films:
3:20 “20 years later”
4:25 “Jose” (Followed by Q&A)
5:05 “Filip”
5:20 “Stray Animals”
5:35 “Battle for Bethany Tract” (Followed by Q&A)
6:10 “Vanquish” (Followed by Q&A)
6:30 “The Earth Did Not Speak”
6:55 “2500KM” (Followed by Q&A)
7:30 “Panacea”
8:00 “Manna”
8:15 “Divine Justice” (Followed by Q&A)
8:40 “My Treasure” (Followed by Q&A)
9:25 “Welcome to My World”

Day 3, Sunday, Nov. 5
Doors open: 12:30pm
Films and workshops
1:00 “Banalities”
1:15 “Morning After”
1:35 “The Wall Within”
2:00 Workshop: “A Conversation with Marvin Lemus”
“Vámanos” (Short Film)
3:00 “Varsity Punks” (Followed by Q&A)
5:05 “Capoeira en Nuestras Vidas” (Followed by Q&A)
5:40 “Justice for My Sister” (Followed by Q&A)
7:10 “Víctimas de Guernica”
7:30 “Bravetown”