This official opening film will be immediately followed by a reception with entertainment, food and beverage.

This seminar is a rare opportunity to hear and learn directly from professional writers for Television and Films. Join us with our outstanding panel of experienced Latino writers from Hollywood as they share from their point of views and experiences. The seminar is sponsored by the Writers Guild of America’s Diversity Department. A Question and Answer session with the audience will follow the discussion.

Writer / Producer, Ligiah Villalobos – Los Angeles, California, is a multi-award winner and is the Writer and Executive Producer of the feature film, "Under The Same Moon, (La Misma Luna)". The film was an Official Selection at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, was made for under $2 Million, and has earned over $23 Million world-wide. Her other credits include HBO films, "Dancing In September" and "Walkout" and as staff writer for NBC’s Ed, head writer on Nic Jr. series, "Go Diego! Go!", and has developed projects for ABC Family F/X, Showtime, and NBC. She also has projects in development for Salma Hayek’s production company and Will Smith’s production company. Before becoming a writer/producer, Villalobos held several positions at the studios, networks and companies such as Buena Vista Productions, Disney Records, Touchstone Television, Warner Bros Network and Esparza/Katz Prods. Ms. Villalobos was named, "One of 25 Most Powerful and Talented Hispanic Women In The Entertainment Industry" by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard Magazine in 2007 and was honored in 2008 with the Norman Lear Writers Award at the Imagen Awards.

Writer / Director, Christian Sesma is from Palm Springs, California. He has written, co-written, and produced more than 11 screenplays, including his recent new film "I’m Not Like That No More", which is screening at this year’s Coachella Valley Latino International Film Festival. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Cultural Anthropology from San Diego State University, and currently has three screenplays in development. "Writer/Director Christian Sesma handled his duties well when it needed to fill whatever genre was happening at the time. There was just a minor taste of Kevin Smith or even Edgar Wright…definitely one to watch." – Jimmy O – JoBlo.com.

Moderator, Florence Ren Figueroa, is a Writer/Director/Producer and Co-Writer of the documentary “This Is Cuba”, Writer of the Documentary Feature Film “Under One Sky”, and is also a published author of the book “Eat By Color: Foods, Colors and The Chakras”. Ms. Figueroa comes from an extensive background in the entertainment industry, having been a Casting Director for major film studios, independent production companies, television networks, and the Director of Development to Producer Mark R. Harris’ The Harris Company – Academy Award winner for the films “Crash" and "Gods and Monsters”.

“Tanto Tiempo” (Double feature with “The Purepecha: Poorest of the Poor”)

Winner of the Hispanic Film Project, via MCA/Universal and The National Hispanic Media Coalition, Tanto Tiempo is the story of a young Mexican-American woman, Mia, and her Mexican mother, Luz who were made to live a restricted “white” life in order to “fit in.” Throughout this process, many secrets were kept from Mia. And as these secrets are revealed, Mia is able to break the chain and allow her past, its unique customs and its honor to stand proud for her and her mother. Tanto Tiempo combines powerful storytelling with vivid cinematography to create a contemporary collage of enriching sounds and images in a young Latina ’s personal journey. Filmmaker, Cheryl Quintana Leader will be present to discuss her film with the audience immediately following the film.

Sixth grader Stephanie Maldonado, from a disadvantaged neighborhood in Long Beach, California, dedicates a summer to explore the world of hard-working migrant farm-harvesting families in the Coachella Valley. She offers visual awareness of plights greater than her own through this incredible, informative documentary. Maldonado explores the lives of an indigenous Indian tribe, of close to 6,000 seasonal migrant farm working families, originating from Michoacan, Mexico, now residing in a trailer park community called Duroville, just southeast of Los Angeles. She discovers that even without adequate living or working conditions, and in one of the wealthiest tourist destinations, the Purepecha provide a billion dollar crop industry of the fruits and vegetables to America tables. Assisting Maldonado to unveil the social injustices among those exploited is Arturo Rodriguez, President of the United Farm Workers citing that “We all have the responsibility to help out the people making sacrifices to feed us every single day,” Tamara Damante, KESQ-3 News Anchor & Reporter and Sister Gabriella Williams a Dominican Sister of Oakford with the Diocese of San Bernardino.

Special Appearance by the Filmmakers

Director, Chris Hume, traveled to Cuba four different times without applying for any special permits to film. Armed only with a video camera, he crisscrossed the island, gaining access to people and places that would otherwise have been off limits. It is a haunting portrait of a land that has defied history. You’ll immediately get a feeling of what Cuba was, what Cuba is, and possibly what Cuba can be in the near future.

This is Cuba is the winner of the Houston International Film Festival, Official Selection of the Slamdance Film Festival, Tucson Film Festival, and the Official Closing Night Premiere of The Miami International Film Festival.

Following the screening of the documentary will be a panel discussion. Joining Chris Hume as guest panelists are: Dr. Lilia Tanawanaka, Dean of Student Affairs at Santa Ana College, Mr. Nilo Lipiz, Dean of Instruction and Student Services, and Mr. Rick Seidner, Owner of Rick’s Restaurant and Bakery of Palm Springs, California. The moderator of the panel discussion is Florence Ren Figueroa, Writer/Producer, This is Cuba. This film is a must-see for fans of documentaries and for those Americans who are interested in one of our nearest Communistic international neighbors.

7:00 pm
“Conversations With Gregory Cruz”

$10 Per Person ($5.00 Seniors, Students w/ I.D., Children)