PBS Film Anthology The Latino Experience Features Latino-Led Shorts

PBS SoCal has announced the premiere of the new short fiction and non-fiction film anthology series, The Latino Experience. Featuring 13 original films made by filmmakers working across genres, the shorts explore a wide range of experiences, perspectives and styles to highlight the rich diversity of the Latino community across the United States and Puerto Rico. The Latino Experience premieres the first of three episodes on Tuesday, July 6 at 9 p.m. PST on PBS SoCal.

All 13 curated films for The Latino Experience were selected from entries received by PBS following a call for submissions in August 2020. The user-submitted stories and contributions were chosen by a panel of experienced filmmakers. The shorts received funding support as well as a national broadcast as part of the series.

As part of PBS SoCal’s commitment to support and present diverse content created by a broad array of storytellers, The Latino Experience presents a compilation of shorts showcasing the wide-ranging talent and complexity within the Latino community. From dramas to documentaries, comedies to magical realism, the narrative and scripted shorts showcase an exciting lineup of creative talent, both in front of and behind the camera. The Latino Experience is slated to air on stations across the country on Tuesdays in July, with the Southern California-based filmmakers’ shorts include:

The Blue Cape

Set in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico two months after Maria hit the island, ten-year-old Junior (Yanniel A. Arce Rivera) is summoned by his mother to search for the medicine his grandfather so desperately needs. To embark on his journey, Junior wraps himself in a cape made from the blue tarp that covers his roof. Written, directed and produced by Alejandra López. Produced by María José Delgado.

Body and Spirit in Times of Pandemic

Edwin Siguenza is a Guatemalan immigrant truck driver and pastor of a Latino Evangelical church in Los Angeles. When the pandemic hits, Edwin has to navigate the risks of being an essential worker while attending to the needs of his congregation and the pressure to keep the church open. Directed and produced by Andrés Caballero.

Pasos de Valor

The film tells the story of Val (Nathalie Carvalho), a pregnant MBA student whose due date and final exam are in conflict. Determined to create opportunity for her Mexican American family, Val takes the exam despite her professor’s refusal to make accommodations. Written, directed and produced by Natalia C. Bell, the film is inspired by the director’s own birth story.

The Daily War

A co-production with Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), the film is the story of a veteran (Adelina Anthony) and her son, who struggle to make ends meet. When a job opportunity presents itself, it ends up triggering her PTSD. Directed and produced by Karla Legaspy. Co-produced and written by Adelina Anthony.

Noche Buena

This film takes place on Christmas Eve as a dysfunctional Cuban family gathers around the dinner table. Caro (Erica Adams) struggles to get through the night as everyone grapples with political correctness, current events and the incessant battle between left and right. As resentment escalates into verbal and literal diarrhea, they uncover hard truths about themselves —all before the ﬂan. Written, directed and produced by Andres Rovira. Also produced by and starring Ray Tezanos.

All three episodes from The Latino Experience will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms.