The San Diego Latino Film Festival, featuring works from the border and around the world, concludes with a weekend tribute to Cheech Marin, one half of the iconic duo Cheech & Chong.
Marin, who wrote, directed and starred in the 1987 comedy Born in East L.A., will appear on March 24 for a screening of the film. He is also set to be at the screening of The Long Game the day before. He’s part of the cast in the 2023 film, about Mexican-American caddies in Texas in the 1950s.
The festival begins Thursday with four opening-night screenings, including the U.S.-produced features Moe and Frida. Events during the fest include music on the Sonida Latino stage at Mission Valley Mall and Sabor Latino, a March 23 exploration of food, beer and spirits.
Films will screen at Mission Valley AMC and Digital Gym Cinema at Park & Market in the East Village. Passes start at $120. Individual screenings cost $12, but a five-film pack is available for $50.
The range of films at the fest includes feature length movies, shorts and documentaries from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica.
Closer to home, the Frontera Filmmakers program focuses on movies that offer “a diverse and provocative exploration of the complexities in the Tijuana-San Diego border region.”
The showcase includes:
- 100 Ways to Cross the Border – a documentary on the Mexican/Chicanx performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña and his troupe La Pocha Nostra’s 35-year career (March 21-22).
- A Thousand Pines – a man leads a crew of workers who leave their families in rural Mexico to plant commercial pine forests in the U.S. (Saturday and March 20).
- When Will You Return? – when migrants on their way to the U.S. disappear, Doña Conchita must find a way to move forward as she raises her grandson (Monday and March 23).
In addition, the Frontera program is presented in partnership with World Design Capital 2024, which is taking place at arts venues throughout San Diego and Tijuana.