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.

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.