The third annual film festival ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest is coming back to Brooklyn, and is still accepting short film submissions to help showcase the work of young Latinx filmmakers.
¡Tú Cuentas!, a project of the local nonprofit HITN, was started in 2021 by Director Luis Alejandro Molina and Director of Field Operations Cynthia Rivera with a vision to bring positive Latino representation to the film industry.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to nurture and promote emerging Latino/a talent in the film industry,” said Molina. “The younger generation of up-and-coming filmmakers and storytellers have the power to impact the narrative at an unprecedented level. Their work carries the mission of amplifying our community’s stories and providing visibility for the underrepresented.”
Over the course of the film festival’s three-year history, both Molina and Rivera said they have seen an influx of movies that center on social change and amplifying diverse voices.
“It’s been a pleasant surprise to see how aware the young people are and how well they express and what they want to be with regards to their storytelling,” said Rivera. “This generation is doing something right so make them aware and be involved and proactive in their history. If we don’t tell our stories, it gets lost.”
According to a recent study, the Latinx community is underrepresented in film and television both on-screen and behind the camera. Part of HITN’s mission is to advance the aspirations of young Latinos in the industry by providing them high-quality content and opportunities to work in film and TV.
“We have worked hard to build a platform for Latinos/as filmmakers to communicate their vision and unique perspectives,” Molina said.
Submissions are currently open to any film produced by a Latinx filmmaker or featuring a Latinx actor between the ages of 16 and 26 who are legal residents of the U.S. Movies submitted should not exceed 30 minutes in length, and should fall into one of four themes: music video, animation, sci-fi, or politics/climate change.
Along with the distinction of receiving recognition from esteemed members of the film industry, top prize recipients will receive $4,000 while second and third prize winners will receive $2,000, and $1,000 respectively.
Entries will close on Aug. 2 with a list of finalists being announced on Sept. 11. This year’s top three winners will be revealed at the virtual film festival on the ¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Fest website from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16.
