By Christina Fernández-Morrow
The Latino Center of Iowa invites you to experience suspense, laughter and heartfelt coming-of-age stories through the lens of Latino filmmakers at the 2025 Des Moines Latino Film Festival at Varsity Cinema April 15-18. The film festival, which started in the summer of 2021, includes short and feature-length films in both English and Spanish that can be easily understood no matter which language you prefer.
“We’re excited to cover a range of different genres at the festival. Everything from horror to romance to drama and thrills, we have it all this year,” shares Daniyel Turner, Director of Development at Varsity Cinema.
The festival opens Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. with Párvulos, a film that blends horror and zombie elements. Inspired by director Isaac Ezban’s childhood with his two brothers, it is described as “a brutal and tender reflection on family, caregiving, and the instinct to protect.” The film features emotional performances and amazing practical effects.
Festival Schedule:
Wednesday, Apr. 16 (7 p.m.):
- Short Film: Lengua, about a young boy’s anxiety on his first day of school in the United States.
- Feature Film: Sujo, about a young boy who’s trying to escape his family’s history of violence.
Thursday, Apr. 17 (7 p.m.):
- Short Film: The Ballad of Tita and the Machines, about an elderly woman who feels replaced by artificial intelligence.
- Feature Film: Rita, a dark fantasy that delivers powerful performances and thrills.
Friday, Apr. 18 (7 p.m.):
- Feature Film: La Cocina, about life in the kitchens of New York City
Wednesday’s screening will be followed by a presentation and conversation with Dawn Martinez Oropeza from Al Éxito, and Friday’s film will include a discussion with a representative from Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival.
Since its inception, the Des Moines Latino Film Festival has celebrated Latino storytelling with local, regional, and nationally acclaimed films. From heart-pounding thrillers to poignant dramas, every screening offers audiences a unique window into the richness of Latino culture and a chance to see films not shown anywhere else. “We’re a fairly young film festival, this is our fifth year,” shares Paloma Chapman, board president of the Latino Center of Iowa. “Little by little we’re figuring out how to make the Des Moines Latino Film Festival its own unique event. It’s going to keep evolving.”
Tickets are just $6 but act fast and use promo code DMLFF25 to grab them for only $1 online before they sell out. Tickets are available online at the Latino Center of Iowa’s website, at https://www.latinocenterofiowa.org/dsm-latinofilmfestival. Tickets will be sold at the door, unless sold out. Follow them on Instagram for details and updates: @THEVARSITYDSM and @IOWALATINOCENTER.
Facebook Comments