Señorita Cinema, World’s Only All-Latina Film Festival, Returns to Houston November 1-3

By Autumn Rendall

As Señorita Cinema, the world’s only all-Latina film festival, gears up for its return to Houston this November 1–3, founder Stephanie Saint Sanchez promises attendees “can absolutely expect to see things that they haven’t before.”

Launched in 2007, the biannual festival was born from Saint Sanchez’s lifelong love affair with filmmaking. She begged for a video camera for her 13th birthday and, after finally getting her hands on one, has been obsessed with creating film ever since. But as her career progressed, Saint Sanchez began to recognize all of the barriers preventing Latina filmmakers from enjoying the same resources and successes as their male counterparts. “Usually when you’re in a male–dominated field, it’s very difficult to be taken seriously,” Saint Sanchez explains. “They think you don’t know what you’re talking about and they always talk over you.”

In 2006, Saint Sanchez had a film accepted to the Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza (BHLIFE), which was founded by Josefina Lopez, playwright and author of Real Women Have Curves. “This was an amazing moment,” Saint Sanchez recalls. “I’m in a room full of Latina filmmakers and we know exactly what we’re talking about—the specifics, tech, the adventure of making a film, the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and especially how hard it is.” Filled with inspiration from that experience, Saint Sanchez set out to found Señorita Cinema with the aim to promote and showcase Latinas of all experience levels who are passionate about film and video art.

This year’s festival kicks off on November 1 with a screening of director Fanny Veliz Grande’s feature–length documentary Our Quinceañera at 7:00 p.m. at Rice Cinema. Set in Texas, the film centers around a community coming together to make the dreams of its young Latina women come true. Saint Sanchez notes that the film’s director, as well as some of its subjects, will be in attendance at the screening, and will participate in a Q&A with audience members following the showing.

Later that same night, Señorita Cinema is partnering with the Houston Fringe Festival to present LOCAS, a late-night variety program hosted by La Llorona. The show, which starts at 10:30 p.m. at Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston (MATCH), will feature theater performances, spoken word, film, and a live video and vinyl set by special guest DADA WESTERN of Chulita’s Vinyl Club Austin. Saint Sanchez explains that the program’s name, LOCAS, is a reclamation of a term that men have long used against Latina women. “One of the worst things a Latina can be called is loca or ‘she’s crazy,’” Saint Sanchez says. “That’s a dismissive term. That’s discounting anything you do.”

The evening of Saturday, November 2, holds the festival’s Super Shorts! program, taking place 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Aurora Picture Show. The films, Saint Sanchez says, come from “here, there, and everywhere,” and the lineup includes a sci-fi short from queer filmmaker Helen Martin. Guests are also encouraged to come before the show for a reception of food from Taco Lady and beverages provided by Saint Arnold Brewery. “If you want a little bit of this and a little bit of that, this is going to be a fun night to come,” Saint Sanchez says.

Señorita Cinema closes on Sunday, November 3, with a screening of Una Banda de Chicas (A Girl’s Band) from 1:00–3:30 p.m. at 14 Pews. Directed by Marilina Giménez, the documentary focuses on the South American Riot Grrl movement and spotlights five different bands involved in the scene. “One of the best bands is called Kumbia Queers, and they will knock your socks off!” Saint Sanchez says. Plus, 10 percent of ticket sales from the Una Banda de Chicas screening will go to support Girl’s Rock Camp Houston, a summer day camp program dedicated to empowering girls and women of all backgrounds and abilities through musical education and creative expression.

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit Señorita Cinema’s website here.