The NVision Latino Film and Music Festival, a three-day event celebrating Latin creatives in film and music, is moving to Miami for its 11th edition on Sept. 5 to 7. The festival, founded by Danny Hastings in 2015, and acquired by Ntertain and Neon 16’s Lex Borrero, Tommy Mottola and Tainy last year, has taken place in New York and Palm Springs for the last 10 years.
“Bringing the NVision Latino Film and Music Festival to Miami creates a space where Latino artists can tell their stories authentically and be celebrated on a global stage,” said Borrero. “Miami is the cultural heartbeat of Latin music and film, and this festival is a testament to the power of our voices, our heritage, and our influence in shaping the future of entertainment for our people and a worldwide audience.”
Hastings described the festival’s move to Miami as a “cultural statement”: “When we partnered with Neon16 last year, I was deeply impressed by their vision and commitment to our culture. But what excites me most is what lies ahead. Moving the festival to Miami isn’t just a logistical choice — it’s a cultural statement. Miami is where the pulse of Latino creativity thrives; every street corner tells a story, and the convergence of diverse Latino voices creates a symphony of innovation. It’s the perfect place for NVision to grow, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy.”
The NVision Latino Film and Music Festival started as the Official Latino Film Festival in response to the underrepresentation of Latinos in Hollywood. In 2024, the festival partnered with Neon16, which has arms in music, film and content production.
The 2024 festival showcased four feature-length films, 60 short films, and nine panels representing the United States, Latin America and Spain. Last year’s award winners included “Ponyboi” directed by Esteban Arango (best U.S. feature) and “Boca Chica” directed by Gabriella Moses (best international feature), each receiving a $10,000 prize, and “Shut Up and Fish” directed by Raul Sanchez and Pasqual Gutierrez (best U.S. short) and “Andas Danzando por Ahí” directed by Mariel Sosa (best international short) were awarded $5,000 each.
Submissions are now open for U.S. and international shorts in categories including drama, horror/sci-fi, documentary, comedy, experimental, animation and music videos. The top awards for best U.S. and international features and shorts will include a cash prize. Submissions can be made via www.nvisionfestival.com.
Pictured above (L-R): Danny Hastings (NVision Festival Co-founder; Raúl “RJ” Sanchez and Pasqual Gutiérrez (CLIQUA); Lex Borrero (CEO of Neon16)
