Berkeley College Named Official Higher Education Partner of the New York Latino Film Festival
Monday, September 14, 2026
OF THE NEW YORK LATINO FILM FESTIVAL
with Programming at 43rd Street Campus
Instagram: @BerkeleyCollege @NYLatinoFilmFestival
X: @BerkeleyCollege @NYLFF
Berkeley College has been named the Official Higher Education Partner of the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF), which returns for its 26th edition from September 13 to 20, 2026. The Festival brings together more than 125 films representing nearly 20 countries for eight days of premieres, conversations, and cultural celebration. Berkeley College in New York City (3 East 43rd Street) will host special programming, with screenings and other events taking place at Regal Union Square (850 Broadway), Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center (530 West 166th Street), and United Palace (4140 Broadway).
Information and Tickets: Click here for more information on the New York Latino Film Festival.
“We are excited to collaborate with Berkeley College to present a series of forums exploring the business of entertainment, bringing industry leaders, real-world insights, and conversations directly to students and festival patrons,” said Calixto Chinchilla, Founder, NYLFF. “It’s about connecting the classroom to the industry and creating access to the people and ideas shaping what’s next.”
The following NYLFF events will be held at Berkeley College:
Distributing a Debut Feature
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Berkeley College, 3 East 43rd Street, New York City
Join us for a conversation with the leaders in independent film distribution. You’ve shot your first feature, what comes next? In an ever-changing landscape in cinema, this panel will discuss how to leverage your first feature, best practices to market a debut feature, and demystifying the distribution process.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Maria Akay, Lead Programmer, NYLFF
- Madeleine Schumacher, Director of Distribution, Giant Pictures
- Nick Camacho, Director of Marketing, Oscilloscope
- Additional panelists to be announced
Motion Picture Association Presents: Demystifying Tax Incentives in New York
Friday, September 18, 2026
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Berkeley College, 3 East 43rd Street, New York City
If you ever plan to film in New York, learn about the tax incentives offered at the city and state levels. Panelists will discuss the opportunities available to emerging filmmakers. As discussions around a potential federal tax incentive continue to grow, panelists will speak on what that could mean for New York, the broader film industry, and you.
Panelists:
- Moderator: John Gibson Vice President, Public Affairs and Industry Relations, Motion Picture Association
- Josh Levin Vice President, Northeast Region, State Government Affairs, Motion Picture Association
- Additional panelists to be announced
SAG-AFTRA Presents: Navigating Contracts as an Independent Filmmaker
Friday, September 18, 2026
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Berkeley College, 3 East 43rd Street, New York City
You have begun pre-production on your next project and need to decide on the correct project agreement. Join a conversation between speakers from SAG-AFTRA and SAG Indie, as well as filmmakers, who will demystify the process. The conversation will be engaging for filmmakers at all levels, and will be followed by a casual reception.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Vanessa Morales, National Latino Committee Vice-Chair, SAG-AFTRA
- Michael Sladek, SAGIndie
- Leif Larson, Contracts Manager, SAG-AFTRA
- Additional panelists to be announced
Documentary Filmmaking as a Means to Impact Change
Friday, September 18, 20264 to 4:45 p.m.
Berkeley College, 3 East 43rd Street, New York City
Join us for an engaging conversation with filmmakers and activists to discuss the importance of documentary filmmaking as a method to impact change in society. This panel will specifically discuss the impact of documentaries on legislation and public response to reproductive rights. Panelists will discuss their own personal experiences in the industry and filmmaking. The panel will be followed by an audience Q&A.
Panelists:
- Lorena Valencia, Filmmaker
- Paula Cury, Filmmaker
- Additional panelists to be announced
This year’s festival opens with the New York Premiere of Otra (110 min., USA), the directorial debut of long time Tyler Perry collaborator and Bronx native Armani Ortiz, the film is a genre-bending Latino musical told in a single continuous take and featuring music from Bad Bunny, Rosalía, Ozuna, Tainy, Marc Anthony and Aventura. The Festival will also screen Angelina Jolie’s Without Blood (85 min., USA/Italy), starring Salma Hayek Pinault and Demián Bichir in a powerful exploration of war, trauma and revenge. Milly: Queen of Merengue (118 min., Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico), directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua and starring Sandy Hernandez in a breakout role, the film chronicles Milly Quezada’s journey from Washington Heights to becoming the legendary multi-Grammy award winning Queen of Merengue. The weeklong celebration will culminate Uptown with NYLFF’s free community block party at Quisqueya Plaza (Broadway and Dyckman Street).
“As we celebrate 26 years, I am proud that NYLFF continues to be a place where our stories, our talent and our culture can show up fully,” Chinchilla said. “Every year, I am reminded that there is no shortage of incredible voices in our community, what is needed are more opportunities for them to be seen, heard, and supported.”
About the New York Latino Film Festival
Since its inception in 1999 by Calixto Chinchilla, the New York Latino Film Festival (NYLFF) has solidified its standing as the nation’s premier Latino cinematic event. With a core mission to cultivate audiences for Latino cinema, strengthen the film community, and foster collaborations within the entertainment industry, NYLFF has become a beacon for Latino creatives across multiple mediums.
Its diverse programming includes the flagship film festival, the Futuro Digital Conference, a national touring series, and the award-winning marketing arm, AGENCY NYLFF, celebrated for its innovative and culturally resonant campaigns. NYLFF also proudly partners with One-Fifty, Warner Bros. Discovery’s artist studio, to champion original voices and nurture groundbreaking storytelling under the NYLFF Cinematics banner.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 13 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
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