Celebrating Latin American Film

If you’ve ever visited the nearby AFS Cinema, known for its programming of independent and international films, you may already be familiar with an annual event held each May: The Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF). What many attendees may not realize, however, is that this now well-established festival began in a living room in a modest Hyde Park home in 1997. 

Laura Coger, along with three friends, wanted greater access to Latin American cinema in Austin. At the time, such films were rarely screened locally. Determined to change that, they organized supporters and secured sponsorships to launch what they called “The Festival of Latin American Cinema” in the spring of 1998. 

Coger’s passion for the project had been building for years. Six years earlier, after living and studying in Costa Rica and Mexico, she traveled to Cuba for the first time—an experience that left a lasting impression and deepened her appreciation for Latin American storytelling. Around the same time, Charles Nafus, a professor of Radio-Television-Film at Austin Community College and a board member of the Austin Film Society, stepped in as an advisor to the fledgling effort. He, too, had noticed the absence of films from Mexico and other Latin American countries in Austin’s cultural landscape. 

By the late 1990s, Austin was rapidly growing, with major companies such as Dell, 3M, and Motorola establishing a presence in the city. Many brought strong ties to Latin America, contributing to a more diverse population. Nafus recognized that this evolving community would not only appreciate the festival but help sustain it. 

The first festival took place at the Dobie Theater near the University of Texas campus from April 29 to May 2, 1998. What began as a grassroots effort quickly gained traction, building a loyal audience year after year. 

A Lasting Impact

Fast forward to 2026, and CLAIFF has grown into a major cultural event, drawing filmmakers, actors, and audiences from across the country and beyond. Now hosted at AFS Cinema, the 2026 festival featured prominent guests such as Lou Diamond Phillips and included a full slate of screenings, panels, and celebratory events, from galas to after-parties. 

This year’s opening night film, “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez,” reflected the festival’s continued commitment to showcasing influential Latinx voices. Narrated by Edward James Olmos, the documentary follows director David Alvarado, Valdez’s brother, as he examines how Valdez’s upbringing in a migrant worker family in Delano, California, shaped his creative work. That experience inspired “Zoot Suit,” which moved from the stage to Broadway and eventually to Hollywood. Its success later led to “La Bamba,” Valdez’s biopic about music icon Ritchie Valens. The film also highlights Valdez’s lasting influence on Chicano theater and cultural institutions. 

For more information or to get involved, visit cinelasamericas.org.

Carmen Gray has lived in Austin since 1992. She is a retired teacher, published author, and freelance writer.