Sydney Latin American Film Festival 2018

Overview

The best film festivals offer something for everyone — different genres, a variety of stories and an array of events. Returning for its 13th year, the Sydney Latin American Film Festival ticks all of those boxes and jumps between different countries in the process, showcasing the latest cinema efforts from Chile, Cuba, Uruguay, Peru, Panama, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico.

Across September 6–15 at Dendy Opera Quays, Addison Road Picture House and PYT Fairfield, movie buffs can enjoy ten films, a collection of shorts, and huge opening and closing parties, all while sampling the best new flicks that the region has to offer. On the bill: a true tale about teenage girls breaking into the apartments of the wealthy; a documentary about Grammy winner, actor, lawyer and Panama presidential candidate Ruben Blades; and an animated comedy about a foosball player who's trying to protect the object of his affection — with the latter screening including street fútbol and traditional food.

Or, viewers can watch a selection of shorts from Latin American female directors, catch the first Venezuelan film to make it to the prestigious Cannes Critics' Week competition, or laugh through a mockumentary about a secret presidential mission to supply cannabis to Uruguay. Other standouts include a revenge drama from Melbourne film graduate Laura Mora, plus one of our picks of this year's Melbourne International Film Festival: Issa López's enchanting and empathetic Tigers Are Not Afraid, which explores the Mexican drug war through the eyes of the children it leaves orphaned.