The AFI Fest wrapped up on November 8th in Hollywood. The 40th annual festival revealed itself again as one of the globe's superior events for accessing works by both veteran and emerging voices in Latino and Latin American film.

The American Film Institutes AFI Festhas long been lauded as one of the United States' most prestigious film festivals to launch filmmakers' careers via the short film program. The 2012 edition doesn't fail to impress.

Robert Rodriguez's commitment to remaining an "outsider" safely distanced from Hollywood has provided him considerable independence, influencing both how he taps into his creativity, as well as how he applies it through the craft of filmmaking.

Matt Piedmont makes his feature directorial debut with the Will Ferrell, Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal-starrer 'Casa de mi Padre,' opening March 16th, 2012, in select theaters.

Whether Oriol's subject in frame is gang life, a fashion model or celebrity, he presents an artistic voice that is distinctly Los Angeles-bred.

The Bandito Brothers' co-directing team Mike "Mouse" McCoy and Scott Waugh "go big" with action this Friday when their patriotic film 'Act of Valor' opens wide in theaters.

In Una Hora Por Favora, it seems the theme of gender stereotypes is turned on its head at the same time as the ethnic one.

This year's short films represented by Latinos and Hispanics offer a wide array of unique subjects and characters--from challenged love relations in the digital age to sisters battling grief through relieving a plugged milk duct.

New Latino voices. Rising talent. A directorial vision from a co-directing team of complementary talents. It could just be the recipe for a movie that packs a punch...or in the least, a really cool rhyme.

Guerrero's voice represents the complexity of the immigrant. Her identity is what she titles "Xicana Urban," a result of being born in San Francisco, raised in the East Bay Area, and maintaining a tight connection with her Mexican heritage.