The Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) is an internationally recognized film festival celebrating Latin American cinema. In its 24th anniversary the Festival features over 30 films that demonstrate the richness of Latin American culture and its effects on global filmmaking, including NY, US and World Premieres of contemporary cinema from the region; award-winning documentaries that explore iconic Latinx literary, cinematic, and musical figures; and retrospectives of remastered classic films that have left an indelible mark on cinematic production around the world. Special events include panels on alternative film markets and indie filmmaking in the U.S. and Latin America, presentations and masterclasses by some of Latin America’s most celebrated artistic figures, roundtable discussions with industry professionals, networking receptions, parties, and more!

Schedule of Events:

1:00 PM - 2:10 PM: Homage To Landrian: Part 1

Discover the groundbreaking, recently restored shorts of Nicolás Guillén Landrián (1938-2003), Afro-Cuban filmmaker, painter, and poet

Part 1: The Unseen Gaze: A Retrospective of Nicolas Guillen Landrian

A Significant Restoration Project Unveiling the Lost Legacy of Cuba's Pioneering Black Filmmaker

Shorts in this program are subtitled in English.

Program will be preceded by an introduction by Luciano Castillo, Director of the Cuban Film Archive (Cinemateca de Cuba)

Part 1 of HFFNY's homage to Nicolás Guillén Landrián includes the following short films, all subtitled in English and newly restored.

En Un Barrio Viejo
1963 | 9 min

Los Del Baile
1965 | 10 min

Ociel Del Toa
1965 | 17 min

Coffea Arábiga
1968 | 18 min

Taller De Línea Y 18
1971 | 15 min

2:30 PM - 4:10 PM: Fresa Y Chocolate / Strawberry and Chocolate
Part of Laughing through Rebellion: The Cine Libre of Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

A showcase of six iconic films, newly restored by the Academy Film Archive and presented in collaboration with the Cohen Film Collection

Film is subtitled in English and will be preceded by an introduction by Luciano Castillo, Director of the Cuban Film Archive (Cinemateca de Cuba)

Fresa Y Chocolate / Strawberry and Chocolate

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío | Cuba-Mexico | Fiction | 1994 | 110 min

Perhaps Alea's most internationally acclaimed work, this 1993 film explores themes of friendship, sexuality, and political repression in Castro's Cuba. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Diego, a homosexual intellectual, and David, a young communist student. The film navigates the complexities of identity and ideology with sensitivity and depth.

6:00 PM - 11:30 PM: Opening Night Film + After-Party: La Mujer Salvaje (Wild Woman)
Alán González | Cuba | Fiction | 2023 | 93 min | NY PREMIERE

Screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Alán González

Tickets also include entrance into HFFNY's Opening Night After-Party. For screening-only tickets please see the Opening Night Encore Screening at 8:30PM

In a Havana slum, a woman survives a bloody fight between her husband and her lover. In a desperate attempt to spare her son from the scandal, she decides to run away with him, but a video of the incident has already gone viral.

Awards / Festivals:

2023 Toronto International Film Festival/ World Premiere
2023 Cine Ceará Ibero-American Film Festival/ Best Film; Outstanding Lead Performance (Lola Amores); Best Sound (Michel Caballero, Angie Hernández)
44th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana/ Special Jury Mention for Best First Feature; Audience Award for Best Film; SIGNIS Award for Best Film

8:30 PM - 10:00 PM: Opening Night Encore Screening: La Mujer Salvaje (Wild Woman)
Alán González | Cuba | Fiction | 2023 | 93 min | NY Premiere

Tickets are for screening only. For tickets that include HFFNY's Opening Night Ceremony, Screening, Q&A + After-Party please see the Opening Night Screening at 6:00PM

In a Havana slum, a woman survives a bloody fight between her husband and her lover. In a desperate attempt to spare her son from the scandal, she decides to run away with him, but a video of the incident has already gone viral.

Awards / Festivals:

2023 Toronto International Film Festival/ World Premiere
2023 Cine Ceará Ibero-American Film Festival/ Best Film; Outstanding Lead Performance (Lola Amores); Best Sound (Michel Caballero, Angie Hernández)
44th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana/ Special Jury Mention for Best First Feature; Audience Award for Best Film; SIGNIS Award for Best Film

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