Film festival celebrates British-Latino identity

An event billed as London's only competitive Latino film festival is now under way for the first time in the capital.

Venues including the Barbican, the ICA, Ciné Lumière and BFI Stephen Street will screen 60 films from 27 countries until Tuesday.

There will also be workshops and performances with guests including Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, a former principal at the Royal Ballet, Argentine actor Óscar Martínez, Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría and Oscar-winning Chilean screenwriter Gonzalo Maza.

The event was founded by Cuban actress Ketty Rodriguez who, when she moved to London, was struck by the lack of Latin representation in a city famous for its multiculturalism, film and history.

She told BBC London: "Everything here is about community, is about connection, and the idea started because I couldn't find my people, I didn't know where they were, so I decided to do this festival and it's very successful, I'm very happy."

Rodriguez says it is the first competitive Latino film festival of this size in London.

"We have received hundreds of entries from all over Latin America, and can't wait to support and showcase features, documentaries, animation, and shorts from these incredible filmmakers," she said.

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